#Westport Connecticut–The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) has informed Town officials that the North Avenue Bridge will be closed to all traffic commencing June 20. It is anticipated that the bridge will be reopened by August 25 and that the overall construction project will be completed by September 15. Detour notices will be in place, residents are urged to seek alternate routes and to allow for additional travel time in that area.

The CT DOT has been engaged in the major repair project on the North Avenue Bridge which crosses the Merritt Parkway since early 2015. Due to unforeseen engineering problems and safety concerns surrounding the repair, the original  completion date was extended. Work ceased for the winter months and the bridge was limited to alternating single lane traffic. The construction and repair work is commencing once again, and now requires that the bridge be First Selectman Jim Marpe stated, “I am very disappointed that the nature of the construction now requires full closure of the Bridge. However, safety is the first priority. Expediency is important as well. While this is a project that is controlled and managed by the CT DOT, this office, along with the Department of Public Works, has made every attempt to work with DOT to expedite these repairs and to minimize the impact to Westport residents and traffic patterns in Mr. Marpe continued, “We will closely monitor the repair activities to insure that the bridge can be reopened before school begins in August. We will continue to look for opportunities for the bridge to be opened whenever possible during the construction process and will to the best of our capabilities attempt to inform residents of the progress. I want to thank all those affected by this construction for your continued cooperation and patience.”

(Town of Westport Press Release)

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