The Rochambeau Bridge Reconstruction, a project of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, currently underway in Newtown and Southbury, consists of the rehabilitation of the two bridges which carry I-84 over the Housatonic River. The first major traffic shift has placed both directions of I-84 traffic onto the I-84 eastbound portion of the bridge, utilizing crossovers built in the median of I-84.

A trestle, or temporary work platform from which the existing bridges will be demolished and reconstructed, is currently under construction on the Southbury bank, between the two bridges. The first stage of construction of the trestle requires that piles, or supports, be driven into the ground. We have already begun this operation during the day from 7 am to 3 pm; residents may notice that this generates noise and vibrations. We are required to monitor both — noise by noise meters, and vibrations by a seismograph near the bridge.

Pile driving hours of operation were extended to 7 am to 11 pm, Monday through Friday, beginning on Tuesday, October 20, in order to accelerate the trestle construction and, ultimately, the reconstruction of the bridges. These extended hours are anticipated to last eight to ten weeks, weather permitting. Daytime pile driving and trestle construction will continue for the next several months.