The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has launched a major bridge construction project in West Haven, replacing two bridges that carry traffic over I-95. The project has been described as involving "one of the longest and most heavily traveled bridges in the state."

That description comes from Middlesex Corp., the lead contractor on the $136.5 million project. Funding includes 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds.

Middlesex Corporation photo

According to CTDOT, Bridge No. 00161, which crosses over First Avenue, was originally built in 1956 and reconstructed in 1990. The bridge will be fully replaced with a new structure designed to increase vertical and horizontal clearances along First Avenue.

The southbound direction of the new bridge will include three 12-ft. travel lanes, a 5.5-ft. left shoulder and a 10-ft. right shoulder. The northbound direction will feature three 12-ft. travel lanes, a 12-ft. acceleration lane carrying the entrance ramp from Exit 43, a 5.5-ft. left shoulder and a 10-ft. right shoulder.

Bridge No. 00162, which crosses over the Metro-North Railroad right-of-way, was built in 1956 and rehabilitated in 1988. This bridge will be removed and replaced with a wider structure. In the southbound direction, the new bridge will include three 12-ft. travel lanes, a 12-ft. operational lane, a 16-ft. left shoulder and a 12-ft. right shoulder. The northbound direction will include three 12-ft. travel lanes, a 16-ft. left shoulder and a 12-ft. right shoulder.

Middlesex noted that the I-95 southbound bridge to the Kimberly Avenue ramp has already been demolished. In addition, the I-95 bridge over Ella T. Grasso Boulevard was replaced with a single-span bridge measuring 101.7 ft. long and 131.8 ft. wide. The project also included reconstruction of approximately 4,659 ft. of I-95 over the Amtrak bridge east of the Howard Avenue structure.

Middlesex Corporation photo

In outlining the project's scope of work, Middlesex listed the following activities:

• Construction of temporary trestles in the West River to access pile-supported pier locations, erection of structural steel and demolition of the existing bridge.

• Construction of a temporary roadway crossing ramp to maintain vehicular access over a pipeline.

• Temporary highway construction to accommodate traffic shifts.

• Reconstruction of highway approaches and exit ramps serving Ella T. Grasso Boulevard and Kimberly Avenue.

• Construction of new West River bridge piers and superstructure.

• Demolition of the existing West River Bridge.

• Replacement of the I-95 bridge over Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.

• Installation of drainage improvements.

Matt Maher, senior project manager of Middlesex, said construction began in spring 2025 and is expected to be completed by spring 2028.

"We completed tree clearing, installed micropile foundations and performed temporary drainage work, and we are now in the middle of demolishing Bridge 00161," Maher said. "We're constructing a new bridge abutment for Bridge 00161, which is being replaced in its entirety. Bridge 00162 is being widened to span the Metro-North Railroad. We're also installing MSE (mechanically stabilized earth) walls and excavation sheet piling to retain soil during excavation."

Construction equipment being used on the West Haven I-95 bridge project includes Cat 308, 321, 335 and 349 excavators; a Cat M322 rubber-tire excavator; Komatsu PC138 and PC238 excavators; two Cat 265D skid steers; two Cat 938M loaders; a Cat CS54 60-in. single-drum roller; Cat D3 and D5 dozers; and a Link-Belt RTC-8080 II rough-terrain crane. CEG

(All photos courtesy of The Middlesex Corporation.)