The Town of Winchester recently entered into a contract with NJR Construction, LLC of Torrington for Rehabilitation of the Sucker Brook Road Bridge over the auxiliary spillway at Sucker Brook Dam. The Town has issued a formal Notice to Proceed to NJR. Work was scheduled to begin on May 20, 2019. The contract allows 159 calendar days for NJR to complete the work. Accordingly, NJR is expected to finish all contract work by October 26th.
NJR plans to mobilize equipment to the site, install erosion control measures, and clear trees and vegetation in the immediate future. They will take the month of June to develop and coordinate a plan for demolition of the existing bridge deck with the Town and design engineer. During July, NJR will demolish the old bridge deck and make repairs to the existing bridge abutments. Construction of the new bridge deck will proceed from August through September, with final paving scheduled for the middle of October. NJR will stabilize roadside edges with vegetation, install signs, and clean up the site in the second half of October. Following completion of work by NJR, the Town plans to reconstruct pavement from Bridge to the West Wakefield Boulevard.
100% of design costs and 80% of construction and inspection costs are funded by the Federal Local Bridge Pilot Program. The Town must cover the remaining costs. Bridge improvements were designed by Close, Jensen and Miller P.C. of Wethersfield. The Town retained Lenard Engineering, Inc. of Winsted to inspect construction. The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Municipal Systems Action Team will oversee the construction and inspection processes and administer federal reimbursements to the Town.