Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge

Infobox Bridge
bridge_name=Sikorsky Memorial Bridge


caption=Traveling eastbound (toward Milford) on the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge in June 2007.
official_name=Igor Sikorsky Memorial Bridge
carries=6 lanes of Route 15
crosses=Housatonic River
locale=Stratford, Connecticut
maint=Connecticut Department of Transportation [ [http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp Connecticut Department of Transportation] ]
id=
design=steel continuous stringer/multi-beam
length=548.6 m
width=16.2 m
height=
load=
clearance=
below=25.9 m
traffic=79,700
open=2003
closed=
toll=(Until 1988) $0.35
map_cue=
map_

map_text=
map_width=
coordinates=coord|41|12|19|N|73|06|35|W|region:US_type:landmark_scale:10000
lat=
long=The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge (also known as the Sikorsky Memorial Bridge, and the Housatonic River Bridge) carries Connecticut Route 15 over the Housatonic River, between Stratford and Milford, Connecticut. The bridge was first referred to as the Sikorsky Bridge because the massive Sikorsky Aircraft plant is located just north of the bridge. The 2006 replacement span was dedicated as the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge.

This is the second bridge at the site; the original one was built in 1940. That bridge was notable for its two narrow lanes in each direction and open steel grid deck which saved money [cite web
url=http://www.trumbullhistory.org/merrittpkwy/
title=The Merritt Parkway — The Queen of All Parkways
publisher=Trumbull, Connecticut Historical Society
author=Charles R. Roth] but was unpopular with drivers. [cite web
url=http://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/merrittpkwy.html
title=The Merritt Parkway — Goodbye steel bridge
author=Kurumi
date=2007] A toll plaza was located at the eastern end of the bridge from its opening in 1940 until Connecticut abolished tolls in 1988. The toll booth is now preserved in Stratford at the Boothe Memorial Park and Museum.

After years of environmental studies, the Connecticut Department of Transportation awarded an $87 million contract to Balfour Beatty Construction to build a replacement bridge in 2000. [cite web
url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19046524&BRD=1347&PAG=461&dept_id=432990&rfi=6
title= New bridge wins praise
author=Jill K. Dion
publisher=Milford Mirror
date=November 21, 2007
accessdate=2007-12-22] The southern half of the new bridge opened in 2003; the 1940 span was demolished in 2004. A major accident resulted in one death in February, 2004. While removing structural steel from the old bridge, the load unexpectedly shifted, causing a crane to overturn and fall into the partially-frozen Housatonic River, killing its operator. The remaining half of the replacement bridge was completed in 2006, two years behind schedule. [cite web
url=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ctdiv/whatsnew.htm
title=What's New - Connecticut Division
publisher=Federal Highway Administration
date=August 11, 2006] [cite web
url=http://www.nycroads.com/roads/merritt/
title=Merritt Parkway — Historic Overview
publisher=Eastern Roads
date=2006] [cite web
url=http://www.metropool.com/constructioninformation/construction_cp_sbrp.html
title=Sikorsky Bridge Replacement Project
publisher=MetroPool
date=2006] The new bridge has a concrete deck, with blacktop, three lanes in each direction, full left and right shoulders, a sidewalk for pedestrians, wrought-iron railing, and aesthetic lighting.

References

ee also

*List of crossings of the Housatonic River

External links

* [http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0002449 Sikorsky Bridge in Structurae]
* [http://www.bergerlehman.com/constr2.htm Construction Inspection - Sikorsky Bridge over the Housatonic River Milford/Stratford, Connecticut]

Crossings navbox
structure = Crossings
place = Housatonic River
bridge = Igor Sikorsky Memorial Bridge
bridge signs =
upstream = Commodore Hull Bridge
upstream signs =
downstream = Metro North railroad bridge
downstream signs =