Holabird bridge repair project delayed

WINSTED — Repair of the Holabird Avenue bridge, which was originally scheduled to start in 2015, has been delayed, according to Town Manager Dale Martin.Martin at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, Aug. 4, reviewed a report from the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) on recent bridge inspections in the area. The report was issued by Scott Hill, department manager of bridges for the Bureau of Engineering and Consulting, on Friday, Aug. 1.Hill said the project is scheduled to start in 2016, with a request for proposals from contractors starting in January 2016.It was announced in January that the state would cover the cost of the project, an estimated $4.8 million.The repair work was scheduled to start in the summer of 2015 and last three months.However, at the Aug. 4 meeting, Martin said the town needs to acquire rights of way for several properties surrounding the bridge, which is causing the delay.“The bridge deck is being widened, so there are four to five properties where the rights of way need to be acquired,” Martin said. “The state will be negotiating with property owners on our behalf. [Hill] notes in the report that we are going to work to expedite this project so it will start as soon as possible.”Hill in his report notes that out of the 15 bridges that the town maintains, the Holabird Avenue bridge has been listed in “serious” condition since 2010.“The reinforced concrete bridge deck is in serious condition with extensive cracks, scale, delaminated areas, spalls and heavy active leakage throughout 80 percent of the deck,” Hill said. “The newly placed overlay only improves the rideability and esthetics temporarily.”The bridge was closed in February due to numerous potholes and rebars sticking out in both lanes of traffic.It was reopened to traffic in mid-May after Harwinton Paving installed bituminous asphalt on the bridge deck.That cost the town an estimated $37,613.“The reinforced concrete deck remains in serious condition and continues to deteriorate further,” Hill said. “Also, the approach sidewalks are settled up to 2 1⁄2 inches in respect to the bridge sidewalk and should be repaired to provide a smooth transition onto the structure. The girders have heavy rust on the flanges and webs. Every effort should be made to expedite this project.”In Hill’s report, three bridges were listed as being in “poor” condition: Wallens Street over Still River, Bridge Street over Mad River and Case Avenue over Mad River.Hill said the Wallens Street bridge has widespread cracking, scaling and spalling, along with expansion bearings that are heavily rusted.He said the Bridge Street bridge has a deck with spalls, efflorescence and delaminated areas on the top surface and cracks with signs of active leakage on the bridge’s underside.“The cable rail at the southwest corner of the bridge is damaged and should be repaired,” Hill said. “There are several spalls on the abutments and bearing pedestals, some with exposed rusted reinforcing steel.”Hill said the Case Avenue bridge has a concrete deck in poor condition with widespread cracking and delamination.“There is evidence of heavy active leakage through the deck,” he said. “Also, there are large areas of severe scale and spalling on the concrete sidewalks. Some of the scale is deep enough to expose rusted reinforcing steel. To ensure the safety of pedestrians using the bridge, both sidewalks should be repaired.”