Input Sought on Route 17 Bridge Construction

State Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Durham, Middlefield and Middletown) is inviting residents to attend a public meeting the state Department of Transportation is holding tonight to discuss the replacement of the Route 17 bridge in Middletown.

"This bridge project on Route 17 and Coleman Road while small, will nevertheless affect families and businesses that use South Main Street. I encourage area people to attend and to share any thoughts or concerns," said Lesser.

The bridge, on South Main Street, just south of Route 155 at the intersection of Coleman Road, was built in 1927 and needs to be replaced due to structural deficiencies. It carries Route 17 over Long Hill Brook.

The estimated 2010 Average Daily Traffic on Route 17 at this site is 15,600 vehicles, according to the DOT.

Construction will be performed in three stages so that a minimum 11-foot wide travel lane can be maintained in each direction throughout construction.

Plans will be available for public review.

Construction, anticipated to begin in the spring of 2014 and completed in the fall of 2015, will be performed in three stages so that a travel lane can be maintained in each direction throughout construction.

The meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in Room 208 of Middletown City Hall, 245 deKoven Drive.