Vertical lift span is state’s choice for Norwalk rail bridge replacement

An artist's rendering of a long, vertical lift bridge to replace the Walk Bridge across Norwalk Harbor. A Connecticut Department of Transportation report says it is the preferred choice to replace the 120-year-old railroad bridge. less An artist's rendering of a long, vertical lift bridge to replace the Walk Bridge across Norwalk Harbor. A Connecticut Department of Transportation report says it is the preferred choice to replace the ... more Photo: Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Vertical lift span is state’s choice for Norwalk rail bridge replacement 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

NORWALK — A “Long Span Vertical Lift Bridge” would provide for safe and reliable rail service while improving navigation for maritime traffic along the Norwalk River, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

On Tuesday, the DOT released to the public its long-awaited impact report on the upcoming replacement of the 120-year-old Walk Bridge, which carries Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak trains across the river. The report lays out the design alternatives for the new bridge as well as the impacts of each of those alternatives.

The department’s preferred alternative, the long span vertical lift bridge, would feature a 240-foot open-deck through-truss lift span that would provide 200 feet of horizontal navigational clearance and 60 feet of vertical clearance when raised.

The existing pivot bridge, which was built in 1896 and is now deemed “deteriorated” by the DOT, provides 58 feet of horizontal clearance.

The new lift bridge would feature two, independent movable spans, each carrying two railroad tracks. The structure would be built to withstand storm surges and high winds, and allow trains to keep rolling across the existing Walk Bridge as construction proceeded.

“The Long Span Vertical Lift Bridge is the only alternative with both foundations proposed outside of the existing swing span limits, allowing the existing bridge to remain operational longer during construction and requiring a shorter rail track outage,” reads a summary posted on the DOT website devoted to the Walk Bridge replacement (http://www.walkbridgect.com/).

The selection of a Long Span Vertical Lift Bridge was based on a comparison of a number of factors, including construction duration, risk, navigation and local road impacts, environmental footprint, long-term performance, aesthetic flexibility and cost as they relate to the project’s Purpose and Need Statement, according to DOT.

Initially, the DOT considered 70 design concepts before settling up three basic structure types: a rolling bascule bridge whose center section would pivot upward as well as short and long-span vertical lift bridges whose center sections would rise straight upward.

More Information Estimated Construction Costs (2020 dollars) Bascule Bridge: $330 million to $365 million Short Span Vertical Lift: $380 million to $415 million Long Span Vertical Lift: $425 million to $460 million

In addition to outlining the design alternatives, the two-volume report prepared by consultant HNBT Corp. for the DOT also addresses the environmental, construction and other impacts of the bridge replacement.

For example, partial lane closures or full street closures are expected in the areas of North Water Street, Fort Point Street and Goldstein Place.

In addition, temporary access and construction easements will be required on the Maritime Aquarium and North Water Street parking lot, two city-owned properties.

Potential impacts include removal of the Aquarium’s tent structure, relocation of outdoor animal exhibits and temporary closure of the North Water Street parking lot. The DOT is evaluating potential impacts to the IMAX Theater property, between the Aquarium and parking lot, according to the report.

Mayor Harry W. Rilling said Tuesday that he was still reviewing the voluminous report. He lent his conditional support to the DOT’s preferred design.

“If it’s done properly and designed properly, the lift bridge is the most appropriate way to go,” Rilling said. “But they have to take steps to make it fit into our area and not be a huge, atrocious-looking structure.”

The release of the report opens a 45-day comment period for local residents, stakeholders and review bodies to weigh in on the bridge design and potential impacts.

Among other things, the Norwalk Harbor Management Commission must determine whether the proposed project is consistent with the city’s Harbor Management Plan.

The size, scope and impact of the bridge replacement project has raised alarm among a number of residents,

Vincent and Robin Penna, owners of A.J. Penna & Son Excavating Contractors, stand to lose their property at 10 Goldstein Place to the project. The DOT anticipates using the property as a staging area.

The Pennas and representatives of the East Norwalk Business Association plan to hold a rally at 10 a.m. Wednesday at 10 Goldstein Place.

“We hope to bring some attention to this large project and how it’s going to affect the businesses, the traffic, the taxpayers, and getting around Norwalk with all these multiple projects going on,” Robin Penna said.

The DOT will hold a public hearing on the DOT report at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave.