Southbury Bridge To Close Due to Safety Concerns

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, town officials said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

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. Basically, the detour routes traffic from Route 172 to turn at the Gatehouse Café and then an immediate left onto Liberty Lane and then onto Yankee Drive, which intersects Spruce Brook Road beyond the road closure,” town officials said in a statement.

A Code Red message is planned for residents in the area of the closure. 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.

Letter from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.