Bridgeport officials: Congress St. Bridge rebuild could start by June

Brian Lockhart

BRIDGEPORT — City Council President Aidee Nieves on Monday acknowledged some may experience deja vu and feelings of skepticism when learning that officials, once again, were announcing a pending groundbreaking for a new Congress Street Bridge.

"I know we've stood here many times," Nieves said during a press conference on the downtown bank where the demolished former drawbridge once linked that neighborhood to her East Side district across the Pequonnock River.  "The word we all need to remember is 'bureaucracy, bureaucracy, bureaucracy.'"

Nieves, Mayor Joe Ganim, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and others gathered to tout the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' issuance last Wednesday of a permit that will allow the final five-percent worth of design to be completed and the city to seek bids for the installation of a new Congress Street span.

"I'm told we'll see construction on this bridge in June of next year," Himes told the crowd. 

That key army corps' approval, along with the previously reported permit from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced in mid-October, are also being used by the Democratic congressman and allies to rebuff allegations by Himes' challenger in next week's election, Republican Jayme Stevenson, that the seven-term incumbent shares blame for the slow progress.

During their Oct. 15 debate, Stevenson said, "There's good work being done in the downtown of Bridgeport. Lots of building, redevelopment. The East End of Bridgeport is blight. There's drug dealing. And businesses can't thrive, because they're literally cut off from the downtown. ... Mr. Himes campaigned on this back in 2008 — the Congress Street Bridge. The Congress Street Bridge is still broken."

Voter turnout in Bridgeport is key to Himes' chances to remain in Congress, and several speakers Monday praised him for helping to obtain some financial aid for the new bridge and also for pressuring regulatory agencies to move more quickly.

"He's the guy pushing and prodding," said Ganim.

Meanwhile, Stevenson in a statement called the event a "typical election season stunt" and again insisted she would do a better job helping to see major infrastructure projects through in Bridgeport and elsewhere in the district if elected.

"I am focused on identifying the great needs of our district, bringing money back home and shepherding projects from start to finish," she said. "It is time for leadership in Congress in service to the residents of Connecticut."

Not mentioned was that Himes during an interview earlier this month alleged that, under Ganim, who faces his own reelection next year, the bridge has seemed less of a priority than it was under former Mayor Bill Finch, whom Ganim ousted in 2015's primary.

Himes said Monday the project faced "very significant regulatory barriers" and it was time for the Congress Street span to go from being a prop used in partisan politics to an infrastructure project re-connecting two key Bridgeport neighborhoods.

The Congress Street drawbridge got stuck in the open position in 1997, during Ganim’s first tenure in office. He was re-elected in 2015.

The rusty hulk was demolished in 2010 under Finch, who called it “the city's most visible reminder of infrastructure neglect.

Ever since there has been talk about building a new span not only to help the East Side and downtown economies, but also to improve emergency response. The city’s fire headquarters is located on Congress Street on the downtown side.

Ultimately officials decided it would be cheaper to erect an immovable bridge. As a result, the city and Bridgeport’s Congressional delegation successfully convinced the federal government to de-authorize the Pequonnock channel, meaning the Army Corps of Engineers is no longer responsible for dredging it, which required a drawbridge to be in place.

In January 2019, a reelection year for Ganim, the mayor announced the state would help Bridgeport split the $24 million cost of a new fixed bridge and city officials at that time were aiming to start construction in 2020.

As reported this past July, that never happened because of: The global coronavirus pandemic that struck Connecticut in 2020; the complicated and time-consuming federal and state permitting process; and last-minute objections from a few property owners along the Pequonnock River about the decision to make the new Congress Street span a fixed one rather than reviving it as a drawbridge.

Himes' office late last week forwarded a copy of the army corps' permit to Hearst Connecticut Media.

The army corps could not immediately be reached for comment. But Shannon King, a spokesperson for that federal agency, in an Oct. 21 emailed statement following release of the state DEEP permit wrote, "We expect the Army Corps of Engineers' permit to be issued over the next few weeks. Design for the project will be completed by the end of 2022. Construction is set to begin in spring 2023 and completed in fall 2024."

But, according to that permit, "no water work" can occur in the Pequonnock from Feb. 1 until June 30 "to protect sensitive winter flounder life stages and migrating diadromous (between salt and fresh water) fish."

And despite all of the renewed optimism expressed Monday, there is another potential hurdle the project could face — cost escalation. Himes earlier this month said he would not be shocked if, given the passage of time, it winds up costing more than $24 million. But that will not be known until the city solicits prices from contractors. 

"We want to get it bid. We want to get it contracted," Ganim said Monday.

Federal funds kick start marine facility project in New London

Greg Smith

New London ― The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $7 million grant to help fund the construction of a $18.5 million industrial marine complex along the banks of the Thames River.

The money will benefit Mohawk Northeast, a heavy construction and engineering company with a marine services division based in Groton, which intends to build a marine terminal and metal fabrication facility just north of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in New London.

The city in partnership with Mohawk and with support from its Connecticut delegation in Congress, applied for the funding from the U.S. DOT U.S. Maritime Association Port Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Persistence paid off since it was the third time the city had applied for funding.

On Monday, elected officials and representatives of Mohawk gathered on Mohawk’s property off Lewis Street for a celebration of the news.

US. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Mohawk Northeast President Allan Heinke and Vice President David Schill, State Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut President Tony Sheridan and New London Mayor Michael Passero were among those on hand.

“This is really now just going to raise New London’s game in terms of being a very vibrant stakeholder and player in the maritime economy of the 21st century,” Courtney said.

Passero said he was thrilled to have Mohawk come to the city with an idea for an investment that is expected to provide at least 100 jobs and help support what is an economically depressed area of the city.

Schill explained that Mohawk had for years sought a place to expand its operations in Groton. It had been using the New London property and warehouses but found the water in the area too shallow to use for anything but shallow draft barges to transport material and equipment.

“With the rail access and the water access we felt developing this property would be something we’d want to move forward with,” Schill said.

The planned bulkhead will be 500 feet wide and extend out from the shore by 150 feet. Mohawk plans to dredge from the channel to a pier to accommodate larger vessels, such as barges off loading equipment and bulk materials. The upland site, which already houses a metal fabrication facility, will also be more fully developed.

Mohawk’s property is the site of the former Thames River Lumber Company, which used to have a pier but it burned down and was never rebuilt after World War II, Schill said.

“It has a history of being used for marine commerce. We’re just reestablishing that history,” Schill said.

Along with expansion of the shoreline, there will be a railroad spur to help move material to and from the site. The property - Mohawk owns three acres - straddles the rail line and connects directly to the adjacent State Pier, which is being reconstructed by the Connecticut Port Authority to help accommodate the offshore wind industry.

“As offshore wind grows, that’s when things are really going to start to blossom down here,” Schill said.

Paul Whitescarver, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, said it was one of several ongoing projects on the Thames River, from Montville to New London, that will benefit the entire region.

The $7 million for the project is part of $701 million being awarded nationwide to 41 projects in 21 states and one territory. The funding was made possible in part by an infusion of funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other appropriations by Congress, Courtney said.

In addition to New London, the Bridgeport Port Authority was awarded $10.5 million for design and construction of an Operations and Maintenance Wind Port in Bridgeport. Nearly $100 million of the federal funds was awarded to projects advancing offshore wind development.

Mohawk, which already has a fleet of barges, cranes and tugboats, services large clients that include the Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts departments of transportation, Electric Boat, U.S. Coast Guard, Amtrak and the U.S. Navy.

Mohawk has pledged $11.5 million towards the project and is awaiting final approval of permits for the work from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Schill said once the permits are in place he estimates the project will take about two years to complete.

Study underway to reduce traffic along Route 161 in East Lyme

Elizabeth Regan

East Lyme ― A study of the Route 161 corridor extending from the Flanders section of town to Main Street in Niantic reveals one of southeastern Connecticut’s busiest stretches, with traffic in the growing beach town threatening to get worse over time.

A report on current and existing conditions administered by the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) backed up what drivers already know: There is anything but a free flow of traffic in certain spots at certain times of day.

The report is part of the Route 161 Corridor Study, a roughly year-and-a-half-long effort launched in March to come up with roadway improvements from Flanders Four Corners to where the road empties out onto Route 156 overlooking Niantic Bay.

The study is happening against the backdrop of a $142 million Interstate 95 project at exit 74 that went out to bid last week. Among the scheduled work is the replacement of the deteriorating Interstate 95 bridge to accommodate widening of Route 161 underneath and the addition of a new looping frontage road.

Construction on the interchange could start as early as January, according to bid specifications. But while that state project will cover about a half-mile of Route 161, the regional corridor study takes a wider look.

In addition to the highway area, key areas of congestion include East Lyme High School when school gets out and the approach to Roxbury Road during the weekday rush hour. The report said traffic lining up to turn onto Roxbury can stretch 660 feet back toward Flanders.

Jim Butler, the former SCCOG executive director now in semi-retirement as senior advisor for the project, said Monday that the report took into account data and plans related to the large-scale interchange project at exit 74.

“It’s informing the study, but it’s not part of the study because those decisions have already been made,” he said.

The Route 161 Corridor Study will rely on professionals and the public, according to Butler. Project manager Joe Rimiller of the engineering firm BETA Group oversaw the first informational and brainstorming session last week at the high school.

In terms of crashes, Rimiller said the firm looked at a three-year period from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2021 to find 141 collisions with no fatalities on Route 161. The most dangerous area spanned an area between Boston Post Road and Industrial Park Road dominated by the interstate highway and numerous plazas.

SCCOG has a $250,000 project budget for the study. Eighty percent comes from the US Department of Transportation, 10% from the state DOT and 10% from the town.

The effort is a jumping-off point in a process intended to make the corridor less congested, safer, greener and more accessible, as well as more cost-effective for taxpayers.

Butler emphasized the importance of having a well-documented plan when it comes to securing grant funding for future transportation enhancements.

It’s especially important in light of recent transportation funding streams becoming available at the federal level, according to Butler.

“The DOT is going to want to see this type of background, detailed study done that presents the reasons for improvements being recommended,” he said.

The $1 trillion, bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law a year ago by President Joe Biden includes funding in areas including roads, bridges, ports, rail transit, and electric vehicles. The Associated Press reports there will be approximately $5.38 billion coming to Connecticut from the bill over the next five years.

The corridor study process going forward will focus on developing a draft of prioritized recommendations with cost estimates and a schedule, according to the report. The final “conceptual plan” should be ready for public comment in late spring.

Butler said last week’s informational session drew roughly three dozen people to share their thoughts on what works and doesn’t work along Route 161.

The largest contingent of attendees came from the residential-heavy areas from roughly the middle of the targeted area to downtown Niantic, according to the SCCOG advisor.

“They’re interested in their access into and out of their residential developments, and rightfully so,” he said. “As traffic increases on that road, especially during peak summer hours, it’s increasingly difficult and potentially more dangerous for them to enter and exit their own streets and their own driveways.”

Residents shared thoughts on traffic signals, timing and other ways to improve the situation. He said one person brought up the idea of roundabouts as a potential solution, while another made a joking reference to the recently-halted plan to install six of the traffic circles in a one-mile stretch on Route 82 in Norwich.

There is no talk of roundabouts in the report, but Butler said input from the public is key to the process.

“Everything's on the table right now,” he said. “A consultant will look at every idea.”

The SCCOG is also conducting a study of Route 32 in New London from Williams Street to Benham Avenue. The area includes access to Connecticut College, the United States Coast Guard Academy and the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. A public informational session on that study will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St.

Lamont Silent, Eversource and Ørsted Non-Committal on Added State Pier Funding

Brendan Crowley,

With less than $1 million remaining of $255.5 million of state and private funding for the New London State Pier redevelopment, it’s not clear how any additional costs will be paid for as crews race to finish the project in time for staging offshore wind construction scheduled for next spring.

Representatives for Gov. Ned Lamont did not respond to several requests for comment on whether he would support additional funding if it was needed to complete the State Pier renovations. 

But his Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski said in a written statement that he would support providing the necessary funding to complete the project.

“However it needs to be a shared commitment from all three parties. Not just the taxpayers of Connecticut footing the bill, as has been the case so far,” Stefanowski said. “Connecticut needs a leader to stand up and say ‘enough.’”

Just $334,138.29 was available for completing the project when the Connecticut Port Authority Board voted last month to move $3.7 million in lease payments out of escrow to cover escalating costs officials pinned on unexpected problems encountered during construction.

Port Authority Board Chair David Kooris acknowledged at the board’s Oct. 17 meeting that there could still be more unexpected issues that would increase construction costs. 

Kooris said the authority doesn’t have access to more funds for the project, though the authority later told CT Examiner that it would be premature to say there isn’t more flexibility in the budget to make more funding available like they did with the New England Central Railroad lease payments.

Asked if the Eversource/Ørsted offshore wind partnership would consider providing more funding if it was needed to complete the State Pier renovations, Justin May, a spokesman for the partnership, said the companies are hopeful the project will continue on budget, and will work closely with the Port Authority.

“Throughout the redevelopment project, Ørsted and Eversource have worked diligently with the state and the [Port Authority] to provide flexibility and consider project delays that weren’t expected,” May said. “For instance, we have agreed to adjust previous deadlines and milestones to accommodate unforeseen circumstances that impacted the overall project.”

Despite the hurdles, delays and funding concerns, both the Port Authority and the offshore wind partnership say they are still on track to use the pier for the construction of South Fork Wind – a 132 megawatt offshore wind farm being built off the coast of Rhode Island. 

According to the Port Authority, the heavy lift platform being built on the northeast end of the pier will be complete by Feb. 28. That platform will allow the pier to be used for staging wind turbines.

“Our ability to deliver South Fork Wind from New London State Pier while meeting our timeline has not changed, and we will continue to work with our partners at the CT Port Authority as we move forward,” May said.

Amtrak will begin building new, faster CT River Bridge in 2024

 Eric Warner

Amtrak will begin finding contractors in early 2023 for construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge.

The bridge was constructed in 1907 by the Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company of Chicago to connect the towns of Old Lyme and Old Saybrook across the Connecticut River. Also known as the Connecticut River Railroad Bridge or the Amtrak Old Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge, the lifting bridge has many outdated systems and has become stuck several times in the 21st century.

“Necessary improvements to Connecticut’s rail infrastructure are on the way,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in a statement on Friday. “The Connecticut River Bridge is an essential part of the Northeast Corridor’s busy rail line and in dire need of repairs.”

The upgrade will ease travel along the passenger rail service through Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor — spanning from Washington D.C. to Boston — by cutting down on commute times at Connecticut River Bridge, which has become a chokepoint in recent years. Construction of the new bridge will include a new electrified two-track with a moveable bridge. That means improving the line’s power and communication systems, controls and security features.

The project is part of the nearly $13 billion state plan to improve its railways over the next five years. Hearst Connecticut Media reports this plan to upgrade infrastructure along the rail line would decrease travel time to New York by 25 minutes, connecting trains from New Haven to Penn Station, adding Wi-Fi to all trains and more.

“What is important to the riders here in Connecticut: Reliability, speed, safety, making sure the trains run on time”, said U.S. Department of Transportation Senior Advisor Carlo Leone. “All those are things that this plan addressed and incorporates and invests in for the future.”

Construction of the new Connecticut River Bridge is expected to begin in early 2024 and will have a lifespan of 150 years.

Developer tries East Haven senior housing project again after court settlement

Austin Mirmina

EAST HAVEN — A local developer has resubmitted plans to build an elderly housing complex on Sperry Lane and Foxon Road after appealing the town's previous decisions to deny the project.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has received another application from The Bluffs LLC proposing to build four residential buildings with 380 one- and two-bedroom units at the site of the former Girl Scout campsite. 

According to the plans, three of the residential buildings would have a total of 260 units, and the fourth building would contain 120 assisted-living units. All of the proposed units would be age-restricted, and must have at least one tenant 55 or older, documents show. No resident may be younger than 18.

Additionally, the developer has agreed that 39 of the 260 non-assisted units — or 15 percent  —  would be deemed "affordable housing units" as defined by state law. 

Conditions of the current proposal were stipulated as part of a Superior Court settlement between the town and the developer following an appeal of the PZC's decision to deny previous applications for the project

"It is the intent of these Parties to resolve these matters without the time, expense, and risk of further litigation and without any admission of liability or fault," the stipulation states.

Town Attorney Michael Luzzi said in a statement that settling litigation with the developer was in the town's best interest.

"The terms of the stipulated judgment entered into by agreement of the parties reflect thoughtful consideration of the concerns expressed by residents, including a substantial reduction in the density of the project," Luzzi said. "By negotiating a settlement, the Town was able to control certain critical aspects of the project and its construction that would have been lost to it in the event it was unsuccessful in the litigation.”

Development of elderly housing in East Haven has been a contentious issue for both residents and town officials. This latest application is likely to renew those emotional debates. The issue played prominently in the town’s 2019 mayoral election, which Democrat Joe Carfora won in part by strongly campaigning against the Sperry Lane proposal.

“This was a very big issue for us,” Carfora had said. “We cannot have developers come in to our town and try to push us around. I mean, it was overwhelming support from the townspeople, so I think that speaks volumes.”

In 2018, the PZC narrowly denied the developer's proposal to build 415 age-restricted rental units within five buildings on the former Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Camp Murray just off Route 80, also known as Foxon Road.

The decision enraged residents and left Mark DiLungo, the principal developer, perplexed.

About a year later, The Bluffs submitted an application for a 504-unit "affordable housing" development, which the PZC unanimously denied. Both denials prompted legal action from the developer seeking to overturn the board's decision.

During a 2019 public hearing for the project, court records state, the developer presented evidence that there was a need for affordable housing in East Haven because only about 8 percent of its housing stock was deemed affordable housing, falling short of the 10 percent required for exemption, per state laws.

Connecticut General State 8-30g, enacted in 1990, gives affordable housing developers the ability to challenge towns in court if their housing proposals are denied, even if they don’t meet local zoning regulations. Municipalities that have at least 10 percent of total housing units set aside as affordable or government-assisted units are exempt.

In lieu of fighting the case in court, the two sides settled on terms that allowed the developer to proceed with a modified version of the project. 

To enable development of the property, the parties agreed to approve a change in the zoning designation for 31 and 100 Sperry Lane and 161 Foxon Road. They also agreed to approve text amendments for zoning regulations pertaining to the Planned Elderly Facilities District.

The stipulation makes clear that the developer must obtain the necessary Inland Wetland and PZC permits before it can begin the project.

A public hearing for the developer's latest application still needs to be set by zoning officials.