MOSES WHEELER BRIDGE
Stratford, CT / Milford, CT
PROJECT DETAILS
- Design Criteria:
- Provide new structure to replace structurally deficient bridge while maintaining traffic across river.
- Design structure for earthquake loads.
- Provide long-term corrosion protection.
- Owner: Connecticut Department of Transportation
- Engineer: STV Group
- General Contractor: Walsh Construction Company
and PCL Constructors - Total Project Cost: $400 million
- Total Project Size: Length: 3200 ft
Width: 136 ft - Year Completed: Scheduled for 2016
The Moses Wheeler Bridge is located between Stratford and Milford, and this bridge carries I-95 over the Housatonic River. The new bridge is one of the longest and heaviest travelled bridges in Connecticut, carrying 135,000 cars and trucks per day. Epoxy-coated reinforcing steel is used in the substructure and deck to protect it against salt-induced damage.
The 136 ft-wide replacement bridge will use a continuous steel plate girder design. The new bridge will occupy roughly the same footprint as the existing span. To make this possible, the project is to be done in stages to maintain traffic over the river. The new bridge is designed for seismic loading to withstand a major earthquake. Additionally, it includes a fender system to protect the bridge piers from ship collisions.
Aesthetic features include encasing the bridge piers with decorative granite and aesthetic lighting.
Construction involves demolition of the 92-ft wide existing bridge, opened in 1958, and replacement while maintaining the existing 6-lane highway. Four full-width shoulders are to be added to the new structure to reduce closures due to traffic accidents or police activity.