Sikorsky Bridge
Originally built in the 1930s, the Sikorsky Bridge was an important part of one of America’s first limited-access highways. Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. replaced the old bridge, which was no longer able to accommodate increased traffic. The two new bridges in its place (northbound and southbound) each carry three lanes of traffic. The southbound side has a pedestrian/bicycle lane for people wanting to enjoy the surrounding scenery. The former bridge was constructed with an old metal grid deck and no shoulders. The new bridges have composite concrete decks, making them much safer for winter travelers.

Owner:

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Location:

Stratford, Conn.

Contract Value:

$83.6 million

Schedule requirements dictated extensive winter work for this project, which was constructed over an environmentally sensitive waterway. Balfour Beatty Infrastructure used a combination of trestles and barges to cope with these difficult conditions. The bridge is more than 1,800 feet long and 110 feet high at its tallest point above water. The project involved extensive planning and multi-staged construction to maintain heavy traffic volumes. Protection of the wetlands and habitats, along with the prevention of river pollution, were important considerations.