replacement of winthrop road over falls river bridge

Steere performed bridge and highway design for a complete bridge replacement including raising the roadway profile to improve water flow and reduce flooding. Steere worked with both the Town and prime consultant to obtain funding for the replacement project through CTDOT’s Local Bridge Program.

Bridge No. 154002 carries Winthrop Road over the Falls River, adjacent to the spillway from Messerschmidt Pond and adjacent to the Messerschmidt Wildlife Area in Westbrook, Connecticut.

The existing structure was constructed in 1945 and is a single span, reinforced concrete deck slab structure, supported by stone masonry abutments. The existing masonry abutments were left in place, to act as additional future scour protection. The proposed structure consists of (4) four 3-sided precast rigid frames post tensioned together that span over the existing masonry abutments to new concrete substructures located behind them. The new concrete substructures consist of concrete stub abutments supported by a series of 10” diameter micro piles driven to bedrock. The new superstructure has an overall out to out width of 27’-8”. Steere was responsible for both the bridge and highway design associated with the proposed roadway improvements and bridge replacement.

The highway design services involved raising the profile of the roadway to decrease the number of road closures due to flooding events. Additional improvements included guardrail safety improvements, installation of warning signs and pavement markings. The improved drainage system included riprap swales with a compost mulch treatment. Detour routes were utilized during the bridge replacement.

Location: Westbrook, CT

Owner: Town of Westbrook

Timeline: Design Completed in 2016; Construction Completion 2017