Reconstruction of the Maple Street bridge is still on track to be completed this fall.
Representatives from the state Department of Transportation said the heavy snows from the winter did not affect the overall pace of work on the bridge, which connects downtown Ansonia with Olson Drive across the Naugatuck River.
“It did not delay us. We’re still on schedule,” said Richard Symonds, the project engineer for the DOT.
The bridge was closed for emergency repairs in the winter of 2009-10, after a large hole was discovered. Pedestrians could look through the missing asphalt and see the Naugatuck River, officials said at the time.
Repairs to the structure began in March 2010.
The road should reopen on or about Sept. 23, Symonds said.
The $3.8 million project may be an inconvenience to some crosstown drivers but it was a necessity for safety, DOT officials said. The bridge had chunks of missing asphalt, and pedestrians could look through the holes to see the Naugatuck River.
The workers are replacing the deteriorated deck, as well as bearing pads under the beams, and pouring concrete around the footings to
prevent erosion.
“Right now it’s in good shape,” Symonds said of the work.
