Updates of Swing Bridge, Infrastructure and Road Projects

  • Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Project 40-141
    Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 01138 - Route 82 over the Connecticut River
    Start Date:  Spring 2022 through Fall 2024
    Swing Bridge - 90 Day Look Ahead Through June 2024.pdf
    Swing Bridge - 90 Day Look Ahead Through July 2024.pdf  

    Traffic Advisory Alert - New Traffic Pattern Set to Take Effect on the East Haddam Swing Bridge
    Update:  March 13, 2024 - The Connecticut Department of Transportation is advising that a modified single lane traffic pattern for the East Haddam Swing Bridge over the Connecticut River has occurred.  Motorist will proceed through the bridge work zone (swing span) while traveling in the eastbound lane (westbound lane becomes protected work zone area).  Temporary traffic signals and flaggers will continue to control the alternating traffic flow on the bridge. Motorists should expect some delays when crossing the bridge during this duration.  This single lane pattern will be in place for the remainder of March, at which time, the bridge will revert to an eastbound travel lane and a westbound travel lane.  Additionally, motorists are advised that overnight bridge closures will occur most nights during this time period.  Click here to view one-lane traffic pattern.

    Bridge Closure Alert
    Update:  August 30, 2024 - The Connecticut Department of Transportation is issuing the following traffic advisory for road closures of Route 82 over the Connecticut River (East Haddam Swing Bridge):
    63-Hour Bridge Closure:   No 63-hour bridge closure this week.  The 63-hour bridge closure previously announced for Sunday (9/8) at 8pm and concluding on Wednesday (9/11) at 11am was cancelled.  This 63-hour bridge closure will be rescheduled with a new date, an advanced notice will be provided once the date is established. 
    Swing Span Testing:  The contractor may occasionally perform a test opening of the new mechanicals of the swing span throughout the week.  These random tests will only occur between 9am-3pm.  The contractor will work to limit traffic backups, but delays should be anticipated if a test occurs. 
    Overnight Bridge Closure:   The contractor will be performing overnight bridge closures as follows:
  • Monday night (9/16) into Tuesday morning (9/17) - 7pm to 6am
  • Tuesday night (9/17) into Wednesday morning (9/18) - 7pm to 6am

Any changes to these scheduled closures will be communicated.

Pedestrians and cyclists are advised that during 63-hour closures, the bridge will be closed to them as well.  Inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances could cause cancellations of a 63-hour road closure.  Click here for the updated projected 63-hour bridge closure schedule.  Any changes to this schedule will be communicated in a timely manner.  

Marine Advisory:

August 23, 2024 -  The Connecticut Department of Transportation announces the following:

The rehabilitation of the East Haddam Swing Bridge will be continuing through the 2024 boating season, openings for tall marine vessels will again be performed on a limited basis per an approved Coast Guard temporary deviation.

Beginning September 1st through October 31st, between 6am - 8pm, the swing bridge will open for recreational vessels on the hour only.

Additionally, the bridge will be closing for 63-hour durations (Sun. 8pm. to Wed. 11am) on the following dates:

  • September 8 through September 11 (cancelled)

During 63-hour bridge closures, the bridge will remain in the closed position, no openings for boats will occur.

Inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances have the potential to impact the actual dates of these 63-hour closures. A mariner notice will be issued at least 24-hours prior to the start of a cancellation.

May 6, 2024 -  The Connecticut Department of Transportation announces the following: The contractor has reinstalled the portion of suspended scaffolding that they had temporarily removed so that they can continue with their work efforts. This past weekend they removed sections of scaffolding in a new location so boats will have additional vertical clearance to pass.  The extra vertical clearance bay is now located on the eastside of the span 3 navigation channel (westside of pivot-pier 3). Mariners are advised that in the location where the contractor has removed their scaffolding, there is approximately 3 feet of additional clearance.

The tide clearance board is recommended as the best reference for gauging clearance at time of passage, the board is located on the bulkhead at Goodspeed, it has been adjusted to reflect the vertical clearances to the contractor’s suspended scaffold.  The tide board WEBCAM for monitoring the clearance can be viewed 24/7 from our project website homepage on Camera 3.

The bridge operator can be reached at 860-218-4973.

WEBCAMS:
Project traffic WEBCAMS (one on each side of the river) are available 24/7 to monitor the traffic conditions at the bridge, the camera feeds are viewable from our project website homepage. 

Weight Restriction Advisory:
Effective Nov. 11, 2022, any trucks that exceed 16 tons are restricted from using the East Haddam Swing Bridge, until further notice. Routine enforcement has been scheduled with the Connecticut State Police and Department of Motor Vehicles. 

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Starting in the Spring of 2022 and continuing into the fall of 2024 Connecticut DOT will be making major repairs/upgrades to the swing bridge.  The project includes rehabilitation of the structural, mechanical and electrical components of the bridge.  Additionally, a sidewalk will be added to the south side of the bridge connecting to sidewalks in East Haddam and Haddam.  A more detailed description of the work is in the  DOT project description.  The project is in the design phase.

The DOT established a project website for the Swing Bridge Rehabilitation:  https://www.easthaddamswingbridgeproject.com/

CTDOT has advised that the best way to see real time traffic updates is by using the website https://www.ctroads.org/

Powerpoint presentation from the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Meeting held on August 26, 2021 led by Derick Lessard of the Connecticut Department of Transportation:  0040-141 Swing_Bridge_Project_Chamber_of_Commerce_Presentation (8-26-21).pdf 

Click here to read the anticipated park impact at Eagle Landing State Park.

The project will have a major impact on traffic between East Haddam and Haddam.  As currently planned there will be 25 closures where the bridge roadway is closed to all traffic from 8:00 p.m. Sunday until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Tentative dates for the closures will be provided once the project is awarded to a contractor.  There will be 23 weeks when only one lane is open for alternating traffic.  Significant impacts to vessel traffic are also anticipated..  DOT will provide at least 14 days notice of proposed closures on their project website.

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