Long-Term Bridge Closure Announced In Westport

Shared by Westport Police Department:

The Newtown Turnpike Bridge over the Merritt Parkway in Westport will be closed on or about June 24, 2019 for rehabilitation work with an eight week detour for local traffic.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that the Newtown Turnpike Bridge over the Merritt Parkway in Westport will be closed on or about June 24, 2019, for rehabilitation work and a traffic detour will be utilized for local traffic. The Closure and Detour will be in place for eight (8) weeks and reopened to traffic no later than Tuesday, August 27, 2019, by 5AM. Motorists are advised to follow posted signs of a detour that will direct traffic around the bridge closure.

During the eight week bridge closure work crews will perform concrete repairs to the historic concrete arch bridge. An existing water main will be replaced and new pavement will be placed prior to reopening the bridge. Significant restoration of this bridge structure is ongoing and will continue this year to restore the historic features of the bridge. All motorists considering travel on the Merritt Parkway are required to obey posted vehicle restrictions and are reminded that no vehicles over 8 feet tall are allowed on the Parkway. The existing vertical clearance under the Newtown Turnpike Bridge will be lower than the existing bridge height during this construction.
The project consists of the rehabilitation of 5 miles (each direction) of Route 15 and 11 structures (over and underpasses) in the towns of Fairfield and Westport. Upgrades to pavement, guiderail, drainage and historic concrete are included.

TRAFFIC IMPACT INFO

Newtown Turnpike closed between Wilton Road and Crawford Road 6AM Monday June 24, 2019 to 5AM August 27, 2019 for Bridge work. The Detour will utilize portions of Wilton Road (Route 33), Chestnut Hill Road (Route 53), and Cranbury Road to connect locations north and south of the bridge closure.

Motorist approaching the Bridge closure on Newtown Turnpike from the south (Newtown Avenue from Norwalk) will be detoured to Cranbury Road, Chestnut Hill Road, and Wilton Road connecting to back to Newtown Turnpike north of the Parkway. Motorist approaching the bridge closure from the north will be detoured to Wilton Road, Chestnut Hill Road, and Cranbury Road connecting to back to Newtown Turnpike south of the Parkway.