Two obsolete bridges in Sandy Hook have been replaced with new wider town spans, both of which are carrying two-way traffic, simplifying motorists’ travel across Curtis Brook and across the Pootatuck River.

A new bridge on Toddy Hill Road that spans Curtis Brook, near Toddy Hill Road’s intersection with Berkshire Road (Route 34), opened to traffic on May 7. While that bridge project was under construction, traffic had used a parallel road section and culvert crossing just to the east, which was formerly a section of Toddy Hill Road. The old roadway, which was situated at a much lower elevation, has been demolished.

A new span on Walnut Tree Hill Road, near its intersection with Glen Road, has opened to two-way traffic. While that bridge replacement project was underway, traffic on the bridge-under-construction had used an alternating two-way pattern controlled by a traffic signal.

A state Local Capital Improvement Project (LoCIP) grant covered most of the costs for the Toddy Hill Road bridge project. The overall price was $2.925 million. That included a $2.495 million state construction grant, $145,000 in right-of-way acquisition costs covered by the state, and $285,000 in town funds for bridge design, according to Fred Hurley, town public works director.

The broad new span is an arch-style bridge that is 32 feet long. The bridge is 44 feet wide, much wider than the span it replaces.

Toddy Hill Road’s northbound approach to Berkshire Road has been flattened to make it simpler for large trucks to navigate the intersection. In the past, some tractor-trailer trucks had gotten hung up on the formerly steep road there. Northbound traffic on Toddy Hill Road will have designated turning lanes. The bridge and road improvements in that area are intended to alleviate traffic congestion that occurs during rush periods.

Town Engineer Ronald Bolmer said he expects the Toddy Hill Road bridge project to be completed by mid-June. Construction of the bridge was simplified by building the span adjacent to Toddy Hill Road’s former upstream crossing of Curtis Brook instead of positioning the new bridge in the same location as the old bridge, he said.

The Toddy Hill Road bridge project precedes a planned $17.7-million state project to improve traffic flow and enhance travel safety at the nearby Exit 11 area of Interstate 84.

During the morning and evening rush periods, the north/south Toddy Hill Road, which links Sandy Hook to Botsford, carries heavy commuter traffic.

Walnut Tree Hill Road

The new bridge that crosses the Pootatuck River at Walnut Tree Hill Road has much gentler curves at both ends of the span than the previous span. Also the roadway atop the bridge is broader, simplifying navigation.

The overall project cost was $2,568,100. Of that amount, the federal government covered $2,054,500 or 80 percent of costs, with the town covering the remaining $513,600, Mr Hurley said.

The new bridge was built to replace an antiquated, nearly 100-year-old span. The new 60-foot-long bridge has a sidewalk on one side.

The bridge provides a link between Glen Road and many neighborhoods in the northeastern section of town.