East Haddam Swing Bridge construction closures

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EAST HADDAM, Conn. — One of Connecticut's most iconic settings will be the source of some traffic headaches over the next few weeks and beyond as construction crews will be working on the East Haddam Swing Bridge.

Beginning Wednesday, January 4, through Friday, January 20, the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. This is the first closure for the construction project which will continue over into 2024. Depending on how quickly crews can work, the closures may also take place on weekend days.

The bridge has spanned the Connecticut River for 110 years, and the eastern end is the home of the Goodspeed Opera House.

According to the state Department of Transportation, the bridge will be down to a single lane open to vehicular traffic from April 1 to May 15 and then from Dec 1 to March 31, 2024.

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The bridge, which carries Route 82 over the Connecticut River, will be getting a major rehabilitation of the structural, mechanical, and electrical components, according to the state.

"It's an iconic piece of bridge infrastructure here in Connecticut that was long overdue for a facelift and rehab," said Josh Morgan spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. "It's just a really unique bridge with some unique features that we’re going to be working on for the next few years."

Additionally, a cantilevered sidewalk is being added to the south side of the bridge, and approach sidewalks constructed, as requested by the Towns of East Haddam and Haddam.

"We kind of have a love-hate relationship with this bridge because it is a beautiful bridge. It's just part of our landscape here, and because of that we’d hate to see it go away," said Irene Haines East Haddam first selectman. "It's a pain in the neck but at the same time, you know it's our pain in the neck and we love it I think."

The nearest crossing over the Connecticut River is 17 miles to the north on the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown and 14 miles to the south on I-95.

Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected].

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