O&G Industries of Torrington, Conn., and Tutor Perini/Los Angeles are the Joint Venture

O&G Industries of Torrington, Conn., and Tutor Perini of Los Angeles are joint venture partners on the $1.37 billion Connecticut River bridge replacement project. Construction began on Aug. 5, 2024, with completion scheduled for July 16, 2030.

Amtrak is the project sponsor, with primary funding provided by an $826.6 million Federal Railroad Administration grant. The remaining costs are being covered by Amtrak and the State of Connecticut.

According to ogind.com, the project "will involve building a two-track, electrified and resilient movable bridge structure equipped with new track, signal, catenary, power, communication, controls and security features."

O&G Industries Tutor Perini photo

The new bridge will be constructed approximately 50 ft. south of the existing structure, allowing uninterrupted service during construction. It will reconnect to the existing tracks 1,000 to 1,500 ft. from each end. Designed for a 100-year lifespan, the new bridge will provide greater reliability and reduce travel delays by supporting more modern infrastructure.

Project highlights include:

• more than 25,000 cu. yds. of concrete;

• more than 13 million lbs. of structural steel, including a 207-ft. bascule span;

• more than 4 million lbs. of reinforcing steel;

• deep foundation drilled shafts ranging from 3 to 8 ft. in diameter;

• catenary and signal system upgrades; and

• demolition of the existing bridge upon project completion.

Located between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, the Connecticut River Bridge lies 3.4 mi. from the mouth of the river at Long Island Sound, along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. It is one of several movable rail bridges on the route.

According to Amtrak.com, "The existing Connecticut River Bridge is nearing the end of its useful life. Its decreasing operational reliability leads to cascading delays in both rail and maritime traffic due to failures in opening and closing properly."

The replacement project is intended to improve long-term reliability, enhance serviceability and ensure continued rail and marine traffic.

Following the August groundbreaking, Peter Spath, senior project manager of O&G Industries, listed progress milestones including:

• mobilization;

• trestle design;

• invasive species treatment;

• clearing and grubbing;

• erosion and sedimentation control;

• design and construction of access roads;

• temporary aerial cable tower design;

• installation of a box culvert at 17 Shore Road;

• construction of the Eagle Landing fishing pier; and

• installation of monitoring equipment and additional boring investigations.

A statement on ogind.com described the new bridge as "a $1.3 billion modern and more resilient structure" featuring a trunnion bascule span, modernized rail infrastructure and increased rail and maritime performance. It will support train speeds up to 70 mph — a 55 percent increase over the current 45 mph limit. Vertical clearance in the closed position will rise from 18 to 24 ft., and in the open position, the navigable channel will expand from 71 to 90 ft.

O&G Industries Tutor Perini photo

Equipment used on the project by O&G includes:

• Cat 305 backhoe excavator

• Manitowoc 14000 (220-ton crawler crane)

• Ingersoll Rand SD105DX vibratory smooth drum roller

• JLG 860SJ aerial boom lift

• Stow 200ER vibrator

Tutor Perini added that its equipment inventory includes "top drive vertical drills, tieback and micropile drills, service and duty cycle cranes, crane-mounted drill rigs and limited access drills."  CEG

(All photos courtesy of O&G Industries Tutor Perini.)