In late summer of 2024, O&G initiated Phase 1 of the construction project aimed at replacing the existing Connecticut River Bridge for Amtrak with a new, modern, two-track, electrified, and movable bridge. This first phase, which constitutes the majority of the bridge replacement effort, is expected to continue until late summer or early fall of 2028. The scope of work includes numerous tasks such as building temporary access roads on both the Old Saybrook and Old Lyme sides of the Connecticut River, setting up temporary work platforms and trestles, and drilling 6-foot and 8-foot shafts to support the new bridge. Additionally, the project involves installing precast and sheet piling cofferdams, constructing two 400-linear-foot poured-in-place retaining walls on the eastern and western approaches to the new bridge, environmental mitigation, and a substantial amount of electrical and signal relocation to facilitate the bridge’s construction. Steel girders spanning over 150 feet will also be erected.
To accomplish these tasks, the project team has brought in two new Manitowoc MLC250 Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes, which are positioned on barges in the river. These cranes, with an impressive 275-ton capacity and a 160-foot boom, are currently being used to construct the temporary trestle work platform. This platform will be essential throughout the entire project, allowing access to all work on the southern side of the existing bridge without disrupting current rail operations or public travel.
In addition to the main construction activities, confirmatory soil borings are being conducted at Piers 1 through 8 to assess subsurface conditions. This will help determine the varying elevations between decomposed and competent rock, to determine the length of the drilled shafts, and ensure they are properly seated into solid rock.
Other ongoing tasks include the installation of structure and rail monitoring equipment, the construction of a new fishing pier at Eagle Landing State Park, the installation of a precast culvert on Shore Road, the relocation of an Amtrak signal hut, and the removal of 200 acres of invasive common reed species at Ragged Rock Creek Wildlife Management Area.
These ongoing activities mark significant progress toward the completion of this critical infrastructure project, reflecting the diligent efforts and planning that have gone into making this ambitious undertaking a reality.
Project Timeline:
Phase 2: Late 2028 – Construction of Track 2
Phase 3: Late 2028 to Early 2029 – Construction of Track 1
Phase 4: Early 2029 to Summer 2030 – New bridge in service; demolish former bridge
