Today, July 1, 2022, Mayor Rilling announced that the Rowayton Avenue Bridge has been paved and reopened to two-way traffic just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
“Since Tropical Storm Elsa caused damage to the Rowayton Avenue Bridge, our engineering team in the Department of Public Works has worked tirelessly to repair it,” said Mayor Rilling. “I want to thank them for completing this project in record time and fulfilling our promise to residents that this bridge would reopen by the Fourth of July weekend. I also want to thank the Common Council who approved the funding we needed to expedite this project.”
On July 8, 2021, Tropical Storm Elsa struck the City of Norwalk, generating 6.01 inches of rainfall within a 24-hour period and causing structural damage to the bridge. The damage resulted from the high intensity and short duration of rainfall. The flooding led to a partial bridge deck, masonry arch and abutment failure of the Rowayton Avenue Bridge over Keelers Brook.
The Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works worked with Freeman Companies, LLC to design the replacement structure, which consists of a precast concrete box culvert. The purpose of the box culvert is to allow the water to flow through and support the road. It serves to carry the natural stream water flow and any stormwater flow when it rains. The City contracted with FGB Construction Company of Norwalk to install the box culvert and do the utility relocation work required to complete the project.
In the coming weeks, the City will complete the installation of the Merritt Parkway style guiderail and the staining of the concrete wingwalls and headwalls to look like a New England Drystack stone wall and match the aesthetic character of the Rowayton Avenue neighborhood.
The Rowayton Avenue Bridge over Keelers Brooks is a short-span bridge. It was constructed in the 1900s and reconstructed in 1966.