CTDOT outlines replacement of Carpenter Lane bridge over I‑91; residents press on noise panels and sidewalks

Connecticut Department of Transportation staff on June 24 laid out plans to replace Bridge 3133, which carries Carpenter Lane over I‑91 in Wallingford, and answered resident questions about noise mitigation and pedestrian access.

The agency said the bridge — one of four in a single project package — will be replaced rather than rehabilitated to provide a new service life of at least 75 years. The department is delivering the work using an alternative design‑build process in which CTDOT issues a base technical concept, then selects a single design‑build team based on best value to complete design and construction.

"By adding the bridge to this project, there will be a reduction of impacts to the public using the roads carried by the bridges and by the public traveling on I‑91. Additionally, there will be cost savings and schedule efficiency," Beth LaPlant, the project task lead, said during the presentation.

Nut graf: The meeting provided a project overview, environmental screening results, a description of right‑of‑way procedures and a schedule for procurement and construction. CTDOT estimated construction costs between $60 million and $90 million, with roughly 80 percent federal funding and 20 percent state funding; the department anticipates issuing the request for proposals later in 2026, awarding the contract in August 2027 and starting full construction in spring 2028 with completion expected by the end of 2030.

Environmental and design details
Raymond Looney, the deputy environmental lead, said early environmental screenings identified the potential presence of the northern long‑eared bat, the tricolored bat and a threatened monarch butterfly. "Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has occurred and has provided determination that the project is not likely to adversely affect any listed species," he said.

Presenters showed a conceptual layout that would widen the bridge and approaching roadway by about 2 feet and add a 5‑foot shoulder to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The final traffic staging and many design details will be set by the contractor during the design‑build process; CTDOT said a full closure with a detour is the more likely traffic option, though staged alternating one‑way traffic could be explored.

Right‑of‑way process
Kathleen Erickson, project coordinator in the department's rights‑of‑way office, outlined how property impacts are handled: the office will send formal letters of intent and property maps, determine fair market value to form offers of just compensation, and provide right‑of‑way agents to meet with affected owners. Erickson said if negotiations do not preserve the project schedule, the state may file notice of condemnation with the Superior Court and deposit the state's offer — owners then have six months to file an appeal.

Public questions: noise barriers and sidewalks
During the Q&A, resident Chris Schrock asked whether sound panels or barriers could be added as part of the replacement. CTDOT staff responded, "this project does not qualify for doing a noise study as it's mostly on just the bridges and we're not doing any work on I‑91," adding they would provide the resident with website links and note the suggestion for further consideration.

Resident Ranjit Bhave asked why the conceptual design does not include sidewalks, noting the proposed 2‑foot widening appears small compared with Complete Streets expectations. Staff replied that Carpenter Lane is a locally maintained road and does not meet the state Complete Streets funding criteria; they said the 5‑foot shoulders are intended to allow safer passage for pedestrians and cyclists and that their traffic counts found very few pedestrians.

Next steps
CTDOT reiterated the public comment period is open through July 8, 2026, and encouraged written comments by email or phone using state project number 0148‑0215. The department expects to issue the RFP later this year, select a best value design‑build team in mid‑2027, start advanced work after notice to proceed in September 2027, and begin full construction in spring 2028, with project completion by the end of 2030.

"This is another opportunity for the public to gain information about the upcoming project and an opportunity to ask any questions that might concern us," Mayor Cervoni said in brief remarks welcoming the meeting. The session closed after a short question‑and‑answer period.