New Detour Created to Accommodate Southbury Bridge Closure

Shared by Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson:

A new detour has been determined to accommodate the closing of Spruce Brook Road Bridge. After further review and reflection, emergency response personnel at the Southbury Training School (STS) have determined that opening their roadways to through traffic for the duration of this road/bridge closure would not be advisable. Therefore, the new detour that will be outlined by signage will follow this route: Route 172 to East Flat Hill Road, to West Flat Hill Road, to Purchase Brook Road, to Stillson Road, and then to Spruce Brook Road.

Following is the original press release (minus the original detour route) for your reference:

Beginning at noon on Thursday, July 30, 2015, Spruce Brook Road Bridge over Transylvania Brook will be closed to all through traffic until further notice. An inspection by the Department of Transportation noted a significant change in the condition of the culverts that compromises the safety of the bridge. The bridge is made up of 5 metal culverts that have shown deterioration in the past but the change since the last inspection in January was so profound that DOT recommended immediate closure. The inspection was made last Friday by underwater inspection consultants, but the DOT made its determination after a follow-up visit on Monday, July 27th.

An alternate route/detour has been identified and the Department of Public Works has worked to implement the signage and road blocks. We thank the Southbury Training School for their cooperation in allowing access to their roads to provide a shorter detour for neighbors and the travelling public. [Detour details deleted.]

For those not familiar with the location, the Spruce Brook Road Bridge goes over the Transylvania Brook at a point very near Route 172.

Southbury Public Works Department is evaluating alternative solutions with the project consulting engineers and the Conn DOT to determine if temporary access can be provided to allow for safe passage over Spruce Brook Road Bridge at Transylvania Brook. At this time, there is no expected date for temporary access.

Updates on the road closure and detour can be found on the Town’s website at the following link: www.southbury-ct.org/spruce-brook-bridge.