Work on the retaining wall being constructed by the state Department of Transportation on Route 7 will be paused for a couple of weeks because of the cold weather, according to First Selectman Henry Tirrell. He noted that much of what is being done now requires pouring concrete, which is not easy in super-cold weather.
The multi-year highway project is expected to be completed next September, 400 days before the original end date. The crews started affixing the final dress stone to the front of the structure this week.
Tirrell said he has requested that the DOT address another section of the old, deteriorating retaining wall that is outside the scope of the main project and Tirrell is waiting for the state’s decision. “They shortened the job by more than a year, so they have a little wiggle room,” Tirrell said.
The state is scheduled to start replacement of a second bridge on Mountain Road in April with a completion date of November.
“It would be great if by next Christmas we could have a finished bridge, a new wall and a fire house,” he said.