Update: North Ave Alternating Traffic Plan Starts Wednesday

First Selectman Jim Marpe announced a plan to reopen alternating one-way traffic on the North Avenue Bridge before the start of the school year.

Engineers have been working with the state Department of Transportation on the project.

It became apparent that unforeseeable problems with the bridge required a longer repair schedule. DOT considered closing the bridge for all of September, but the town said it would have too many negative ramifications, especially for the school system.

DOT agreed to the alternating one-way plan. The traffic pattern will start on August 26 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The bridge will be closed evenings and weekends until late October.

Police will be providing traffic control for the first three days of operation. After that Westport is requesting DOT to provide funding for flagmen.

Marpe and Superintendent Elliott Landon request parents utilize the BOE bus transportation system to ease traffic congestion. 

More from First Selectman’s office:

First Selectman Marpe said, “I want to thank Commissioner Redeker, Westport’s Legislative representatives, Senator Toni Boucher, Senator Tony Hwang, Representative Gail Lavielle and Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Westport Town engineers, Westport Police, the Board of Education, and the CT DOT, for their rapid responses to the concerns that were raised when it became obvious that the scheduled repair work would take longer than originally planned. If the bridge remained completely inaccessible, the bus routes to the four schools serviced in part by the North Avenue Bridge, and in fact the transportation scheduling system-wide, would have been in jeopardy when schools opened on August 26. A plan was developed and articulated that, while not ideal, addresses and provides a method through which traffic and school bus routes can access the bridge. All parties worked together efficiently and effectively to insure that the concerns surrounding the access to this critical bridge were addressed and mitigated.”

Mr. Marpe continued, “I want to say ‘Thank You‘ in advance to those residents who are affected by the closure and unusual traffic pattern over the bridge. Safety is our utmost concern and I request your continued patience as we work with the state to address the traffic issues. We will make every attempt to keep the public informed so that residents’ day-to-day activities may be planned accordingly.”

Mr. Marpe concluded, “At this time, Board of Ed. Superintendent Elliot Landon and I would request that all parents utilize the school bus system for their children’s transport - at least during the first few weeks of school. This will help reduce the traffic volume and allow everyone to traverse this area of town with minimum delays.”

Commissioner Redeker indicated that the contractor would be working nights and weekends to comply with the agreed schedule and the bridge will be closed during those times. He also stated that the alternating one-way traffic would be in effect for approximately eight weeks. It is anticipated that two-way traffic will be restored over the reconstructed bridge on Oct. 29, 2015.

With regard to traffic control, Commissioner Redeker stated that the DOT’s plan is to install signal lights to control the one way alternating traffic operation during mid-day, nonpeak hours. The Westport Police Department will assume traffic control operations during the busiest morning and afternoon time periods. At the August 17 DOT engineering project team meeting, the DOT stated that it is having difficulty locating an appropriate and available alternating signal system in its inventory. This item is necessary to safely regulate oncoming traffic on the bridge during mid-day. If the signal system does not become available, Westport may need to request reimbursement from the state to hire “flagmen” to perform this task.