North Street Bridge Replacement UPdate & FAQ (Lee Gerkin @ NGA AM 10/26)
At the NGA Annual Meeting 10/26, Board member Lee Gerkin laid out the latest details of the project including - Original Plan vs Revised Plan, Revised Bid Schedule, Construction Schedule, Costs, Early & Late Completion, Bid Procedure.
For those who missed the meeting, notes are below. The Construction project will begin in March 2026. The Northeast Greenwich Association will provide updates on the NGA website so you can access current information throughout the construction process.
We have received a number of questions about the status of the North Street Bridge (“NSB”). We describe below the Original DPW North Street Bridge Plan, the Revised DPW North Street Bridge Plan (announced Oct. 9, 2024), the current estimated costs and the construction schedule.
Original Plan vs Revised Plan:
Original Plan: The Original Plan was for a 18-24 month construction period. One lane was to be closed on North Street on either side of the bridge, and the other lane was to be an alternating lane of traffic regulated by a signal light at the bridge. This would have meant that traffic in each direction would be subject to 75% of the roadway being closed for 18-24 months.
Revised Plan: The Northeast Greenwich Association was actively involved in 2024 to encourage the development of a shorter construction period with less traffic disruption. On October 9, 2024, DPW announced a Revised Plan that reduced the construction time from 18-24 months to 8-9 months, and both lanes of North Street would remain open for six months with the bridge closed for 2-3 months during the summer when schools are out of session.
See revised DPW Plan here
Revised Bid Schedule: November-December 2025
Advertise for Construction Bids, Award Contract and Procure Materials
Construction Schedule: March-June 2026 –Intermittent Traffic *
Shop Drawing Review
Utility Relocations
Pre-work
June-August 2026 – Road Closure
Structure Replacement
Sept-December 2026 –Intermittent Disruptions
Final Restoration
Utility Relocations
Masonry (Stonework)
Note: * Intermittent Traffic Disruption refers to brief, controlled holds of traffic such as when equipment crosses the roadway under the direction of a police officer for safety. The permitted construction hours on public roadways are Monday – Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Estimated Costs:
The Town of Greenwich will be reimbursed for the cost of the renovation of the North Street Bridge by the State LOTCIP (“Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program”). The original estimated cost of $3,000,000 was based on the CTDOT Master Bid List which reflects statewide budget cost averages. In October 2024 pursuant to the Revised Plan, DPW submitted an Interim funding request for an additional amount of $700,000 which included $200,000 incentive payments for early completion by the contractor, $300,000 to address cost escalation related to the condensed schedule and $200,000 for additional police to direct traffic during intermittent traffic disruptions and bridge closure. The full amount of this additional funding requested was approved by the BET in November 2024 and the RTM in December 2024. The LOTCIP grant will pay $500,000 of the additional funding requested, but not the $200,000 incentive payments which will be paid for by the Town of Greenwich. The LOTCIP grant program provides State funds to municipal governments in lieu of Federal funds otherwise available through Federal transportation legislation. The LOTCIP was established in 2013 and was designed to provide substantially fewer constraints and requirements compared to using Federal Title 23 USC funds.
Incentive Payments (early completion) and Liquidated Damages (late completion):
The Incentive Payment of $200,000 for early completion by the contractor will be paid by the Town of Greenwich and will provide for a payment of $20,000 per day for up to 10 work days (maximum $200,000) for early completion before 275 calendar days (9 months) which will be specified in the Bid Documents that are expected to be advertised by DPW in November 2025.
Liquidated damages of $40,000 per day will be charged to the contractor if North Street is not completely reopened by September. For late completion, there will be a charge to the contractor of $2,500 per day if the bridge work is not completed by the project end date of 275 days.
Bid Procedure:
The final bridge design was approved by the CTDOT in the Spring 2025. The Authorization to Advertise for Bids is expected to be received by DPW from the CTDOT in late October 2025.
Upon receipt of this Authorization, DPW will then begin the bid process and formally Advertise for Bids. DPW is required to award the contract to the lowest “responsive and responsible bidder”, not necessarily the “lowest bid” submitted. Bid results will be posted on the Town Purchasing webpage within 24 hours after cost evaluations and verification of bonds and insurance are completed. If bids exceed the LOTCIP estimate, CTDOT may request a supplemental agreement (PAL) or re-evaluation. Any additional approved costs would remain reimbursable under the LOTCIP grant.
Reconstruction of bridge on Route #1/East Putnam Avenue adjacent to Greenwich High School:
CTDOT (not DPW) will be responsible for the reconstruction of the bridge located near the High School on Route #1. The DPW Commissioner has regular meetings with CTDOT, and CTDOT indicated that they will not be in full construction in the summer of 2026.