Sharing update from Valley Independent Sentinel on Commodore Hull Bridge repairs

 

Here is a link to the story from the Valley Independent Sentinel:

https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/2025/09/30/update-on-the-route-8-hull-bridge-repairs/

Klarides-Ditria: DOT to start immediate repairs on Commodore Hull Bridge

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) announced immediate repairs on the Commodore Hull Bridge - which carries Route 8 over the Housatonic River between Shelton and Derby. According to the DOT, “during a special inspection of the bridge in preparation for a future project, advanced deterioration on the gusset plates was noticed. These plates connect the truss members together to support the weight of the overall bridge structure and traffic load on the bridge.  Due to the additional deterioration found, starting this week CTDOT will begin milling off the bituminous wearing surface (pavement), and posting a 32-ton weight restriction for all vehicles.” There are 12 gusset plate locations anticipated. Travel lane shifts in both directions will likely be required, as well as closure of on/off ramps directly adjacent to the structure while repairs are being completed. The objective is to maintain two lanes of traffic for Route 8 NB & SB.  The bridge remains safe for the traveling public. DOT urges drivers to slow down, move over, and use caution when traveling through this area to keep themselves and workers safe.

Sincerely,

Buses to replace service on suspended Waterbury Line during repairs

The Waterbury Branch Rail Line was impacted by the flooding on Sunday. 

Service will be replaced by buses in both directions between Bridgeport and Waterbury until repairs to our infrastructure are completed. Bus service is now available at Seymour as roads in the area have reopened. 

Waterbury Branch commuters should build additional travel time into their schedules, check www.mta.info for bus departure times.

This post is shared from the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page.

Soccer field at Ansonia Nature Center being repaired

Message from City of Ansonia and Ansonia Soccer Club: 
Please refrain from using the Nature Center field until repairs are finalized. And BIG thanks to JWT Landscapes and Griffin Brothers Excavation for their amazing work on the fields. Mayor and his team would also like to thank the Ansonia Soccer Club for their tireless efforts to ensure a successful season this year!

*Information shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Derby opens new footbridge at Witek Memorial Park

Lower spillway at Witek Memorial Park was recently repaired. / Contributed photo

DERBY – Just in time for the arrival of the fall hiking season, the new footbridge at Witek Memorial Park is officially opened to the public.

The project was the result of successful collaboration among city staff, Derby aldermen, and community business partners including D’Amico Associates, DiGiovanni & Sons Construction, and A Quick Pick Crane and Rigging Service.

The nine-foot by 22-foot wooden bridge will enable hikers to now safely travel over the spillway and around the lower reservoir without having to traverse the steep hill below the dam and enter Academy Hill Road. 

The bridge includes aprons at either end to allow for wheelchair access.

The footbridge is only one of the projects Derby Public Works recently completed at Witek Memorial Park, a 144-acre park on Derby’s east side. 

The park features two reservoirs, several walking and hiking trails, and two soccer fields.

“Because the bridge was built by DPW employees, labor and materials only cost the city about $8,000,” said DPW Director Anthony DeFala. “If we had outsourced the job, it would have probably cost about $50,000,” DeFala said. Additional improvements recently completed at Witek Park include:

• Replacement of the roof on a small accessory building near the spillway

• Installation of new fencing

• Newly landscaped entry way 

• Repairs to the parking lot and drainage system along Academy Hill Road 

• Improvements to the parking area near the soccer fields

• Repairs to the lower spillway in accordance with mandates by state dam inspector

Mayor Anita Dugatto praised the improvements. “The work done at Witek Park was motivated by a concern for public safety and persistent maintenance needs. By doing as much work as possible in-house, we controlled our costs and were able to maximize our investment in this community asset,” she said.

This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office.

Derby plans road milling this week

DERBY - Street Commissioner Anthony DeFala Sr. has announced that road milling will take place Friday and Saturday to prepare certain roads for repairs and repaving. 
The milling will occur between the hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on each day.

He wants the residents and visitors to the City of Derby to be aware of these ongoing project schedules so that any inconvenience will be kept to a minimum.
Here is the schedule:
Friday - Benanto Drive and Pleasant View Road
Saturday - Evelyn Road and Yocher Lane

The milled roads will remain in this milled condition for approximately three weeks at which time the paving will commence.
The current Derby Road Maintenance and Paving Program was approved by the voters of the City of Derby on Nov. 4, 2014 as an initiative of the administration of Mayor Anita Dugatto.

For information on the ongoing Derby Road Maintenance and Paving Program contact Street Commissioner Anthony DeFala, Sr., 203-736-1468 or derbypw@derbyct.gov.


This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office. 

Work to begin at O'Brien Tech fields in Ansonia

ANSONIA - Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday to refurbish the Ford Street Emmett O’Brien Technical High School athletic fields.  

Fusco and Mather Construction Co. will be operating heavy equipment for excavations and has informed the city that there will be no access to the fields for safety concerns during the duration of their repairs.  

They have further informed the city they plan to close off access beginning at the parking lot on Ford Street.  

The work they plan to complete during the construction phase is below:

1. The track surface will be torn up and replaced 

2. The irrigation system for the football field will be replaced and additional drainage will be installed

3.  The sidewalks throughout the complex and tennis courts will be replaced

4. The existing storm water basin near the tennis courts will be enlarged to meet present day storm water management requirements

5. There will also be some minor improvements to the baseball and softball fields

“We understand this is going to be an inconvenience to the residents who utilize the track for walking, however the end result will be worth the wait,”  Mayor David S. Cassetti said.

This is a press release from the mayor's office.

Rt. 34 to be closed for repairs on Stevenson Dam

Stevenson Dam (photo from Wikipedia)

Please read the press release in the Valley Independent Sentinel here.