Ansonia Riverwalk Segment 8, Ansonia, CT Cost: $1.3M | Project Area: 10,500 linear feet

The Ansonia Riverwalk Program is part of the Naugatuck River Greenway, a multipurpose trail system intended to provide recreational and multimodal connectivity to communities along the Naugatuck River. In many places, the trail borders an active commuter rail line and frequently runs atop the adjacent flood control system.<br><br>DeCarlo & Doll, Inc. was commissioned to provide design, specifications, cost estimating, construction oversight and inspection for a comprehensive plan for the Riverwalk Program that could be phased in as funding became available. The Program was divided into nine segments covering 10,500 LF; four segments have already been completed.<br><br>To complete Segment 8, DeCarlo & Doll coordinated the efforts of a multidiscipline team that included public agencies and private firms. The list included the City of Ansonia and its Planning & Zoning and Wetlands commissions, ConnDOT, CT DEEP, GeoDesign, EXCEL Bridge Manufacturing, The Hartland Building & Restoration Company, and Waters Construction Company. But perhaps most significant was its collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Metro-North Railroad.

Task:

  • To provide design, specifications, cost estimating and inspection for approximately 750’ of a new, non-motorized, multiuse ADA accessible trail.

Challenge:

  • The site’s proximity to a flood control system and need to negotiate a right-of-way over an active commuter rail line categorized the unique challenges of the Ansonia Riverwalk Segment 8 Project.

Solution:

  • To overcome these challenges, the project team had to work hand-in-hand with a number of public agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Metro-North Railroad. 
  • A single-span 130-foot long pedestrian bridge was specified to clear the Metro-North Right-of-Way.

  • The topography of the site required 25 feet of fill to achieve the necessary elevation for the pedestrian bridge to clear the Metro-North Right-of-Way.  

  • The bridge and trail required easements from CT DEEP and Metro-North Railroad. 
  • Design included the relocation and reconstruction of the dike maintenance access ramp as requested by USACE.
  • In order to satisfy the requirements of the USACE, significant modifications to the pedestrian bridge design and supports were required.  The abutments and wingwalls supporting the bridge were increased in length and size.  The changes to the support structure resulted in additional quantities for items like Class “A” and Class “F” Concrete and Deformed Steel.
    2019 Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Merit Award in Civil Engineering
    2019 Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Award of Merit in Civil Engineering