Sound Beach Avenue Bridge (No. 03954)

Sound Beach Avenue Bridge

Project Update:

The Sound Beach Avenue bridge was completed the first week of May 2023.  

Project Background: 

Located on Sound Beach Avenue, adjacent to Binney Park, this critical project replaced the deteriorating bridge built in 1925 and utilized by approximately 14,500 vehicles daily. The project cost $2.5 million dollars and was funded through the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). Construction plans were prepared by Weston & Sampson, of Rocky Hill, CT and the contractor for this project is A. Vitti Excavators, LLC of Stamford, CT. Town of Greenwich 

To increase hydraulic efficiency in an area prone to coastal flooding, the new bridge design eliminated the center pier and is a single-span precast concrete structure. Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works (DPW) incorporated feedback from the Town’s Planning and Zoning Commission and community when designing this project. The new bridge is faced with natural rounded stones to complement Binney Park and the New England aesthetic of the area.  

Bridge Project Features

  • Built brand new bridge – corrected existing structural and hydraulic deficiencies of the bridge.
  • Improved water flow – increased hydraulic efficiency in an area prone to coastal flooding. The project also installed new drainage structures to improve run-off. 
  • Minimized construction impacts – employed Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques to significantly reduce road closure time.
  • Pedestrian safety and accessibility – relocated the sidewalk on the east side to the interior of the bridge and eliminated the old wood pedestrian bridge.
  • Aesthetics – matched the look and feel of the scenic area by adorning the new bridge with natural rounded stones. The gas utility was removed from view. New landscaping has been added to all four corners of the bridge.

Minimizing Construction Impacts 

This project employed Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques to significantly reduce road closure time. The roadway was closed for only three months and a detour was implemented to initiate the construction. The project took approximately a year to complete. DPW regularly coordinated with utility companies that have utilities located on or near the bridge. Construction crews had to continuously handle water flowing under the bridge into Binney Pond.

Concurrent Highway Maintenance Work

Concurrent with the Sound Beach Avenue Bridge project, DPW executed a highway maintenance project in the vicinity of the Sound Beach Avenue Bridge.

Concurrent Highway Maintenance Work Features:

  • Pedestrian safety and accessibility – Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFB) – a traffic control device designed to increase driver awareness of pedestrians crossing roadways were installed at two mid-block crosswalks near the bridge. Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) devices have been added to the crosswalks with RRFBs to assist blind or low-vision pedestrians crossing the street. Additionally, 11 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps with detectible warning strips were installed
  • Aesthetics – New landscaping was planted for the outdoor reading room area. The installation of five decorative crosswalks will be installed following paving to be completed by the DPW Highway Division. 

Additional Information

Project Completion

  • To view the Sound Beach Avenue Bridge completion info sheet, CLICK HERE.
  • To view the Sound Beach Avenue Bridge ribbon cutting press release, CLICK HERE. 

Bridge Closure 

  • To view the Sound Beach Avenue Bridge closure press release, CLICK HERE. 

Sound Beach Avenue Bridge Public Information Webinar - May 2020

  • To view a narrated version of the webinar, CLICK HERE.  
  • To view PowerPoint slides of the webinar, CLICK HERE.
  • DPW has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions, CLICK HERE to view this document. 

Sound Beach Avenue Bridge Public Hearing - December 2020

  • To view the PowerPoint slides of the presentation, CLICK HERE.   
  • To view the hearing decision, CLICK HERE.

Contact

Gabriella M. Circosta Cohee, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer
DPW – Engineering Division
E-Mail: gcohee@greenwichct.org
Phone: 203-861-3151