Chinmoy Lane Culvert Update Page

8-22-11: Design Bid

The culvert design was put out to bid and the bid will be opened on 9-1-2011.

7-26-11: Status Update-

4-8-11:CHINMOY BRIDGE IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN!!! 7:13PM

*After much exertion and stress by dedicated employees the Chinmoy Bridge was completed today! This is an amazing feat of engineering and dedication by many individuals involved to construct an emergency access road in 36 hours and a fully functional two lane bridge in one month! The average timeframe for bridge construction is approximately two years from approval, to plans, to bids through construction. (and we won't go into how long it would REALLY take if it involved Federal monies!!) My hat is off to my department and everyone that contributed to get this emergency project done. BRAVO!

A PS goes out to the residents that accepted and coorperated with our department to make this as "easy" as it could be made. Thank you also.

4-7-11: Another Timetable due to mechanical delays---

*Unexpected mechanical issues arose today (of several varieties!) that have pushed the availability of using the bridge---workers will continue tomorrow and this department will have PD issue a reverse 911 call informing residents when the bridge will be available. We should have a better estimate of opening by tomorrow afternoon. Check back here for updates!

4-5-11: Probable Timetable--barring any unforeseen weather or mechanical issues!

*Today will see the final bearing plate set on the west side and will be moving the deck plates to the east side for a counter weight. 4/6 will have site clean up and the final preparation for the move. The crane will arrive be set up and the bridge will move with the B&N dozer. 4/7 will see the bridge set into place(YaY) and the concrete blocks will be set for building the access ramps for the east and west sides. Hot mix asphalt from public works asphalt recycler will be used on the bridge aprons. 4/8 FRIDAY the BRIDGE WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC!!!!!

*Residents should call their refuse haulers to resume normal operation for the week (4/11/11).

Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this emergency!

Sincerely the Department of Public Works.

4-4-11:

*Don't forget that tomorrow-Tuesday-is garbage/recycling pick up day. Please have all items out to the curb in bags by 8am. Thank you.

4-1-11: No joke... :)

*70+ feet of trusses and girders are in place. The bridge will be finished with major construction on Monday. This can include tightening of bolts, inspection and some of the deck plates may be installed. On Tuesday the jacks will arrive. Wednesday the crane will arrive and should be able to launch the bridge in the afternoon. On Thursday, it will be lowered onto the bearings, the ramps will be finished and the deck plates will also be done with an anticipated opening to the public on Friday. All this is weather permitting so please keep your fingers crossed!

Another photo of progress from today (4-1-11) from the Putnam side!  Putnam View

3-31-11:Progress!

One 30 foot bridge section done! See photo links below! Two more to go.

Photo #1 and Photo #2 and Photo #3 and Photo #4

* Based upon the weather and current progress in assembly, the crane is scheduled for Wednesday April 6th and we anticipate bridge launch late that afternoon. Thursday April 7th will be clean up, tying in  and road approach construction on both sides in order to have a successful opening by the afternoon of 4/7.

3-28-11:

*The rollers were delivered and installation has begun on the bridge. We anticipate that the rollers will be completed tomorrow. After that, work will progress to the trusses. Keep your fingers crossed for a sunny week!

*Contrary to some rumors, the Town of New Milford is NOT receiving any payments from garbage contractors. The town is picking up all trash and recyclables from you (for free) and bringing them to the recycling center. REMINDER-tomorrow is Tuesday so please have your trash out in the morning for pickup in bags, and if you need more bags please call and some can be dropped off, or you can stop by the Public Works office during normal hours and we can give you some more trash bags.

3-23-11 Director's Update:

*Although construction of the temporary bridge has not moved a quickly as we had anticipated, please know that we are working diligently on this project to make sure that we restore full access and services as soon as possible. There are many engineering and technical issues that we needed to work out on the footing design, installation of the materials used and the actual launch procedure. Because the foundations (footings) are the most important aspect of the temporary structure, we needed to be sure that no design flaws, or technical specifications would cause further safety or hazardous conditions. We are at a point where we have worked out all the major engineering issues and the logistics of the bridge launch and placement on the supporting structures. As is normal with all construction projects, weather plays an important roll, and this week has not been in our favor, however, we are still making progress on the items that we can safely perform during these conditions. 

We will complete the footings by the end of this week and we have scheduled all of the necessary launch components to be onsite so that we can begin assembling the bridge pieces beginning Monday (3-28-11).  Because we have not constructed a bridge of this nature before, or in this constricted timeframe, we can only estimate that the length of time needed will be about 4-5 days of assembly and 1-2 days more to launch the bridge to the opposite side and secure it to the foundations. Once that is complete we will have some minor adjustments and then we can build the roadway approaches to the bridge deck. Therefore our anticipated completion and opening of the bridge to traffic will be sometime during the week of April 4, 2011. 

We Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unfortunate event. As always, any questions or concerns can be directed to the office during normal hours.

3-21-11(pm):

*REMINDER: As we stated at the meeting, PWD will continue services until the temporary bridge is in place and functioning-so PLEASE place all garbage and recyclables INTO garbage bags and have them out by the curb TUESDAY AM. Thank you.

*We are still moving bridge parts over to the Chinmoy side of the culvert. We are finishing the construction of the east footing. Acrow Bridge (the manufacturer) needs to deliver rollers and other information for the construction of the bridge. They will be in town for the construction.

*Per OSHA, a portolet was delivered to the site for the workers.

*The town will be meeting with potential crane companies Tuesday or Wednesday for use the week of 3/28/11.

*Under the CL&P easement in the open space, the town will be storing bridge materials and supplies. This has been addressed with the utility company. The area will also house excavation material for the permanent construction (time still to be decided). This secondary storage of material will last the duration of the permanent construction plus one month for clean-up. At that time the area will be topsoiled, seeded and hayed-as determined by the utility.

*Additional storage will occur in the town right of way from the culvert east as needed for the construction of the temporary bridge.

3-18-11(am)

*Utility work is continuing their relocation work.

*Bridge footings will continue to be constructed today. Bridge parts are still being moved over to the Chinmoy side. Bridge pieces (nuts and bolts...) were inventoried yesterday. Let's just say there are a LOT.

*Stabilization work is being done on the temporary road wall on the north side.Just some of the bags of parts for the Bridge construction.

3-16-11:(pm)

*PWD received permission to store excavated material on the CL&P easement during construction.

*Footing design has been completed and construction should begin tomorrow am.

*Bridge components will continue to be moved over to the Chinmoy side.

*Charter wil relocate their line to the overhead poles tomorrow and overnight 3-17-11.

3-16-11:(am)

*Everyone on Chinmoy Lane should complete the forms on the DEHMS website. ANY expense incurred due to the washout should be claimed. At this point the department is only using these numbers to see if the State qualifies for any FEMA reimbursement monies. IF the Federal government declares the storm a FEMA event, documentation will be necessary for any reimbursement. The items that a resident might claim for reimbursement: rental car, lost wages or any other storm related damages or expenses that can be directly tied to the rain event. Any questions regarding the filling out of this form can be directed to myself, Laurene Beattie, or Marla Scribner at the Mayor's Office: 860-355-6010 or mscribner@newmilford.org.

An informational meeting was held on the cul-de-sac today (Sunday 3-13-11) at 11:00am. Residents were notified about the meeting by a reverse 911 call from the police department. The meeting was well attended by the inhabitants and conducted by: Mayor Murphy, Chief Boyne, Public Works Director Mike Zarba and Public Works Administrative Aide Laurene Beattie. Information will continue to be disseminated through this website as needed to keep everyone informed. Questions can be directed to LBeattie@newmilford.org, or public_works@newmilford.org as well as calling public works during office hours 8-4:30 M-F on 860-355-6040.

 SEE THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

 As a result of the severe rain storm and flooding that began on March 7, 2011, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) is undertaking a statewide pre-assessment survey to determine the amount of damage that has occurred since the storm.  Please provide as much detail and back-up documentation as you can (for example, photos, receipts, invoices, etc.), so that we can facilitate the overall process. 

Pre-Assessment survey forms can be found directly on the DEMHS Website, http://www.ct.gov/demhs/  The Individual Assistance (IA) forms are used to collect data on damages to residences and businesses.  Each set of forms includes instructions on the allowable Federal Categories.  Clearly indicate the time period in which the damages occurred.

Please complete the survey forms and return them by email to Emergency Management Director Marla Scribner in the Mayor’s Office at mscribner@newmilford.org by 1pm on March 18, 2011. THIS DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MONDAY MARCH 21, 2011. This information will then be compiled and forwarded to DEMHS.

Upon receipt of the pre-assessment data, DEMHS will compare the total storm damage estimates to the established federal eligibility thresholds.  If the totals approach the thresholds, Connecticut will request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conduct a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) in conjunction with State and local officials.  A Joint PDA is done to verify the damage estimates prior to the Governor’s submission of a request for a major disaster declaration which could authorize federal assistance for municipalities, individuals and businesses. Meeting the federal thresholds is one of the factors considered by FEMA in determining whether to recommend a Presidential declaration. Other factors include whether the situation is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments.

3-15-11:(pm)

*Decisions have been made to construct the temporary bridge on the flatter Chinmoy side for logistical reasons. We have begun the process of moving the components to the appropriate side today. Engineering of the foundation design should be completed today. Physical construction of the footings is PLANNED to start tomorrow, however, if there is significant rainfall construction will be delayed. These must be in place before iron work of the bridge may be started.

*We have received notice that some land phone lines are not working. The line is still there but does need to be relocated. If you have lost your land line please call (from somewhere) AT&T since they need the local phone number.

*Public Works has a Utility coordination meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning 3-16-11 .

3-15-11:(am)

*According to Chief Boyne, he has informed UPS to deliver to the Public Works Office on Young's Field Road. I confirmed that with UPS this morning that delivery to Public Works will begin today. Public Works will call any resident if they receive a delivery here for pick up.

PLEASE place garbage and recycling into bags so that the crew can easily pick them up. This morning some residents just had full large containers. They had to be brought to recycling and will then be returned later today when they have been emptied. Thank you.

• *No drainage pipe will be installed at the bottom of West Meetinghouse road at this time. Drainage will be handled by swales and runoffs etc.
• *Working on rip rap to stablize the north side of the channel.
• *Mobilizing bridge footings and foundation components.

3-13-11 Information: 

·         NON-Emergency issues AFTER public works office hours should be directed to the police department dispatchers by calling 860-355-3133. They will be able to get in touch with the appropriate individuals for the circumstance.

·         As always, in an EMERGENCY please dial 911.

·         Trash and Recycling pickup will currently be done by the public works department on TUESDAY mornings after 8am. Please have everything in trash bags for the crew. The bags can be placed by themselves or in your large plastic bin by the curb for pick up. This effort will continue until the temporary bridge has been completed. Garbage bags have been provided for residential use. Let the office know if you require more.

·         Children will be picked up by the school bus on Carl’s Lane. Park on the straight section so that the school bus can turn around in that cul-de-sac.

·         If you need Oil, or Propane delivery please remind your company to have a light load on their truck when negotiating the steep hillside.

·         Please limit the amount of traffic travelling on the “temporary” road when possible.

·          On TUESDAY 3-15-11 or WEDNESDAY 3-16-11 in the morning (between 9-10am) the road will be CLOSED (CANCELLED) so that a drainage pipe can be installed across the access way on the West Meetinghouse end. Please make arrangements that day.  A reverse 911 call and post here when that job is complete and the road is open again.

·         Regular MAIL delivery was resumed on Saturday 3-10-11.

Future Issues/Information:

·         Public Works will call UPS and ask for a small delivery truck to be used until the temporary bridge is complete.

·         Bridge components are still being delivered.

·         Engineers are working on the instructions with the bridge manufacturer and are obtaining the correct engineering loads and bearings for placement.

·         Slope stabilization will continue along the embankment and MUST be completed before the bridge can be placed.

·         Embankment work will be necessary to place the load bearing concrete blocks/slabs.

·         Public Works has reviewed the engineering necessary for the crane(s).

·         Tree work may be begun to allow enough room to build the bridge components.

·         Bridge assembly is expected to take 4-5 days, BARRING no unexpected issues/interruptions.

·         Installation of assembled bridge is estimated to take 1-2 days.

·         During this time, engineers will discuss the proper/appropriate and most cost effective PERMANENT measure that will be installed during the low water flow season (July/August).

·         During the permanent replacement, the temporary access road may be open.