Construction To Begin On Arrigoni Bridge Project Later This Month

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Construction on a $46 million project to rehabilitate the Arrigoni Bridge will begin at the end of February. The state Department of Transportation announced this week that construction will begin on or around Feb. 27 on the rehabilitation of the Arrigoni Bridge approach spans carrying Routes 17 and 66 in Middletown and Portland.

The project will take place simultaneously with the Saint John’s Square/Main Street intersection operational improvement project in Middletown, according to officials.

“Work on the Arrigoni approach spans consists of replacing the bridge decks, superstructure steel upgrades and repairs as well as substructure repairs to improve the overall structural capacity, reliability and integrity of the bridge,” DOT officials wrote in a press release. “Additionally, a new protective fence system ranging in height from 8 to 12-feet, will also be installed on both the approach and main spans as part of this project. Construction activities will be completed in three separate stages in order to maintain traffic flow through the project limits while providing the contractor with adequate space to efficiently complete construction. In each stage, Rt. 17/66 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction with the use temporary precast concrete barrier (TPCB). TPCB is expected to be in place for a maximum of 540 days.

“Work on St. John’s Square and Main Street consists of the geometric realignment of the intersection to improve safety and operational efficiency, as well as the addition of two turn-lanes.”

The projects were awarded to Mohawk Northeast, Inc. as one contract at a cost of $46.2 million and are expected to be completed Feb. 25, 2022.

Officials are advising motorists of when lane closures will be in effect.

Lane Closure Information

The contractor will be allowed to interfere with traffic at the below locations during the following hours:

- Route 66 (Main Street): Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

- Route 66 (Washington Street): Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

- Route 17 (Hartford Avenue): Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

- Route 17 / 66: Monday – Friday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

- SR 545 (Washington Street): Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

“Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions,” according to the release. “Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.”

Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim said the city is working with state officials to set up a public meeting so that residents and commuters can hear from the DOT about details of the work and have their questions answered.