Old Turnpike bridge nearly done

NORTH CANAAN — Eight trucks, each carrying a 73-foot-long beam, arrived last week, signaling the near completion of the Old Turnpike Road North bridge replacement. The road has been closed since, to accommodate construction of the new two-lane span over the Konkepot River.

Selectman Thomas Gailes, who has been overseeing the bridge projects, reported at a board meeting Sept. 8 that the bridge should be completed, on schedule, in October.

Up next are repairs to bridges on Sodom Road and Lower Road. The selectmen have applied for stimulus funds. A decision on how to proceed will hinge on the amount of funding available. First Selectman Douglas Humes said the priority would be the Lower Road bridge over the Blackberry River, which has some safety issues and needs new decking and curbing.

The Sodom Road bridge, which spans the Konkepot, also has a safety issue — a scour problem on one of the footings.

“The problem has been there at least since 1959,� Humes said. “I know that because I jumped off that bridge into that scour hole on a dare. It’s not a pressing issue.�

He added that planning for work on the bridge footings will take some time.  A Department of Environmental Protection permit is needed because work will take place in the water.

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