Replacement Work Begins on Moses Wheeler Bridge

Work on the first phase of the much-anticipated replacement of the Moses Wheeler Bridge that carries I-95 traffic over the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford got underway the week of September 14 - 18, Representative Harkins and state Senator Dan Debicella have announced. The legislators worked to secure funding for the project and to make sure neighborhood concerns were taken into account in the design of the project.
“While the Moses Wheeler Bridge is not in imminent danger of collapse, it has been deteriorating for years, has serious structural problems, and needed to be replaced to ensure the safety of Stratford and Milford residents and the thousands of I-95 commuters who use it almost every day,” Representative Harkins said.

“State DOT officials have told me work is beginning on the first phase of this project this week. This part of the project involves building the foundations that will support the new bridge. The second phase of the project will involve reconstructing the bridge and the approaches,” said Senator Debicella, R-21st District.

“Replacing the Moses Wheeler Bridge with a new state of the art structure has been one of my top priorities for several years. I’m very pleased that the foundation work on the new bridge is underway and on schedule. I will continue to carefully monitor progress on the new bridge as work continues to make sure it is completed on time and with the least amount of inconvenience to Ferry Boulevard residents who live near the construction site,” Representative Harkins said.

“Ensuring the safety of our motorists is the top priority, and we need to ensure that the Moses Wheeler Bridge meets all safety standards,” Senator Debicella said. “But at the same time we want to make sure construction is not disruptive to families in the Ferry Boulevard area of Stratford next to the bridge.”

Representative Harkins and Senator Debicella voted in favor of the 2007 state bond package, which included initial funding for the Moses Wheeler Bridge project. In January, the State Bond Commission released $20 million to help finance construction of the foundations for the new bridge. The two legislators also hosted a town meeting in Stratford in 2007 on the plans, and worked with the DOT to ensure that neighborhood concerns were taken into account as much as possible.

“The Moses Wheeler Bridge is one of the longest and most heavily traveled bridges in the state. It has served us well for more than 50 years, but this bridge has been in disrepair for a long time now and replacing it is the only sensible and responsible option,” Senator Debicella said.

DOT officials expect the first phase of the project to be finished by September 2011. If all goes as planned, construction on the new bridge should be completed by 2015, the legislators said.