The Commodore Hull Bridge on Route 8 connects Derby and Shelton.
DERBY/SHELTON – The state Department of Transportation said it will pay for additional officers and signage to help direct traffic near the Commodore Hull Bridge, following massive backups and traffic issues that elected officials say have gotten out of control.
“To help with traffic congestion, CTDOT is funding additional officers near the highway ramps and busy intersections. More police presence will help keep traffic flowing at crucial bottlenecks. We are also adding more signage along the corridor to divert traffic away from the area,” said Josh Morgan, a state DOT spokesman.
The Commodore Hull Bridge, which connects Derby and Shelton on Route 8, is currently undergoing emergency repairs that were announced May 30. On June 7, a truck swerved into the construction zone, striking a construction vehicle and sending the truck’s driver to the hospital.
The on-ramps for exits 12A (northbound) and 12B (southbound) have been closed as construction crews prepare the bridge for repairs. The left lanes in both directions are also closed. Those traffic restrictions were announced just two days before they went into effect.
Morgan said the restrictions could be lifted this week.
“We are hopeful that both ramps and all travel lanes on Route 8 will reopen by this coming weekend,” Morgan said. “Crews can then turn their focus to future repairs needed underneath the bridge.”
The state DOT has also imposed a 32-ton weight limit on the bridge. The repairs are to fix deteriorated gusset plates beneath the bridge, the state DOT said, which have made the bridge unsafe for heavy vehicles.
Members of Shelton’s state delegation met with the state officials Sunday (June 8) to discuss the issue, according to a Facebook post made by state Senator Jason Perillo.
“This will continue to be frustrating for all of us and DOT knows they have work to do to make things better,” the post says. “I appreciate them being a partner in this.”
Perillo said in a separate press release that conversations have been ongoing with the Derby Police Department and Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG). The Valley Indy left a voicemail June 9 for Derby Police Chief Scott Todd requesting comment.
In the meantime, the state DOT has published the following detours for travelers in the area:
Route 8 Northbound: Both on-ramps from Howe Avenue and Kneen Street may be closed to traffic and mainline traffic will be maintained for two lanes across the bridge in a lane shift configuration.
Route 8 Southbound: Traffic will be maintained in two lanes across the bridge in a lane shift configuration. The off-ramp to Wharf Street will remain open for the present.
Work on Route 8 north is scheduled to occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work on Route 8 south is scheduled to occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Morgan, the DOT spokesman, said in his statement that the bridge remains safe for travelers.
“The Commodore Hull Bridge remains safe for the traveling public. If there was ever a concern for public safety, we would shut the bridge down completely. We remind the public to slow down, move over, and stay alert in this active work zone,” Morgan said.
Construction Zone Car Crash Came After Medical Emergency, Report Says
Shortly after 7 p.m. June 7, a truck swerved into the work area near Exit 12A northbound, striking a construction vehicle. The man driving the truck was transported to Griffin Hospital for treatment, according to a police report; no construction workers were injured.
The truck was driving slowly in the right lane, when it then “veered to the right, across the on ramp lane, and sideswiped the concrete traffic barrier in the right shoulder.” After hitting the barrier, it then “veered to the left, traversing across all lanes, striking a traffic barrel while hitting the left lane,” the report says.
After swerving into the construction zone, the truck slammed into the back of the construction vehicle, according to the report. It says the construction vehicle sustained minor rear end damage, while the man’s truck had major damage on the front end and had to be towed.
The report says the man had suffered a medical emergency before the crash happened. He didn’t appear to have any injuries from the crash itself, the report says, but his prior emergency required treatment.
No criminal charges were filed in connection to the crash, the report says.
