Coming soon to a bridge near you: Detours
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The state anticipates getting started on the replacement of the south retaining walls of the Rt. 44 bridge this summer.
You’ll definitely notice around June 23 when the detour will be put into place.
One detour will involve traffic being sent around to Woodstock with the turn back to Rt. 44 at the newly installed traffic light at the corner of routes 169 and 171.
Anticipated detours: The detours for vehicles will be Bridge Street to Woodstock Avenue to Recreation Park Road to Sabin Street and back onto Route 44. Sistare said a three-way stop will be installed at the Sabin Street/Recreation Park Road intersection.
Oversized loads will be directed down Kennedy Drive onto Providence Street onto Rt. 171 and then directed left onto Rt. 169 in Woodstock, across from the Woodstock Fair. The traffic light is now in place at that intersection.
No pedestrian traffic allowed through the construction detour area. Pedestrian traffic would have to go up Church Street.
Possibly not finalized: DOT may have public right of way or easement for a walking path by Putnam Science Academy, (Maple St to High St).
The detour should last about 295 days. The entire project will probably take an entire year, including things like paperwork and submittals ahead of on-site construction and then any final touchup work after the detour is lifted, according to Town Administrator Elaine Sistare.
The state Department of Transportation said: “The purpose of the project is to replace a section of retaining wall that supports Route 44 in the town of Putnam to ensure the safety of the traveling public. The existing rubble stone retaining wall has shown visual signs of deterioration.”
The project will cost $10,030,000 and will be paid for with 80 percent federal funds and the remaining 20 percent state funds.
The DOT added: “Proposed improvements to the wall include replacing approximately 270 feet of the existing wall that supports Route 44. The improvement will also include approximately 500 feet of full-depth reconstruction adjacent to the retaining wall. The proposed roadway cross-section will match the existing cross-section with 11-foot travel lanes and 4-foot shoulders in each direction, and a 5-foot concrete sidewalk. A
pproximately 1,400 feet of sidewalk will be reconstructed to extend beyond the roadway construction limits due to the poor condition of adjoining sidewalk.
" Roadside safety appurtenances atop the retaining wall will be upgraded to current design standards.
"There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. The impacts include construction easements to complete the proposed improvements to the existing retaining wall.
"A permanent maintenance easement will be granted to the State of Connecticut (State) for the maintenance of the retaining wall. Rights to grade and construct driveway will also be required.”
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