Walk Bridge Design
Manresa Island Online Public Meeting
In June of 2020, the Connecticut Department of Transportation conducted an online public information meeting regarding the potential use of Manresa Island as a staging and construction area for the Walk Bridge Replacement Project. As a result of public comments and inquiries from the meeting, CTDOT undertook studies beyond work already performed to inform a decision about the use of Manresa Island. Four areas of further study were performed over the summer: Traffic, Noise, Environmental Issues and Alternate Site Evaluation.
Press Releases
CTDOT Initiates Additional Review for Walk Bridge Project as Follow-up to Public Meeting
In response to public comment and feedback received during and after the June 16th online public informational meeting regarding the use of Manresa Island as a const...read more
CTDOT To Host Online Public Meeting Regarding Manresa Island As Part Of The Walk Bridge Program
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is hosting an online public information meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, to discuss the potential use of a portion of Manresa Island in...read more
Walk Bridge Open House Saturday, December 8
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) invites members of the community to an Open House at the Walk Bridge Welcome Center on Saturday, December 8 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM ...read more
Walk Bridge Public Meeting Relocated to Welcome Center
The Walk Bridge Program Public Meeting scheduled for November 28, 2018 is relocated to the Walk Bridge Welcome Center at 20 Marshall Street, South Norwalk, CT (the first floor of the Lock Bu...read more
CTDOT to Hold Public Meeting on Walk Bridge Replacement and Related Projects
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will hold a Public Meeting at Norwalk City Hall on Wednesday, November 28, to update the community on Walk Bridge Program progress and pr...read more
Science Road Railroad Crossing in Norwalk to be Replaced Weekend of September 14-17
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that the Walk Bridge Program will replace the railroad crossing on Science Road during the weekend of September 14-17. Buses will s...read more
The Walk Bridge Program is a comprehensive infrastructure improvement program consisting of more than a half-dozen interrelated road, rail and utility infrastructure projects. The Program increases safety, reliability and ease of travel through Norwalk, while protecting resources important to the city’s future like the rail line, local roads and the Norwalk River. The Program promotes economic development through infrastructure investment, increasing railroad reliability and reducing road congestion and travel delays for residents, commuters, boaters and tourists and protecting current and future waterfront development.
What projects make up the Walk Bridge Program?
As a part of Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line, the bridge is a critical link in the busiest rail corridor in the nation, the Northeast Corridor, connecting Boston, New York, and Washington D.C. The Walk Bridge carries approximately 175 trains and 125,000 riders each day (more than 45 million each year) – including Metro-North, Amtrak and freight trains. The bridge has outlived its intended life span by more than two decades and needs to be replaced. The existing bridge suffers from a system-wide degradation of the bridge structure, significant wear of mechanical systems and obsolete electrical systems leading to unexpected maintenance costs, operational failures and emergency repairs.
Eversource Cable Relocation is a separate project managed by Eversource. For more information on this project, please visit the Eversource website.
While commonly referred to as the "Walk Bridge" by the public, the structure’s official name is the "Norwalk River Railroad Bridge, Bridge No. 04288R, MP 41.5". Over time, "Norwalk River Bridge" was shortened to the "Walk Bridge" that is commonly used today. Similarly, the movable "Saga" bridge in Westport refers to the Saugatuck River over which the rail line passes.
Coordination with other projects takes place throughout the Walk Bridge Program with the goal of reducing construction impacts for residents, businesses and commuters. CTDOT and the Walk Bridge Program team meet regularly with municipal leaders, private developers and project sponsors to coordinate with other planned construction projects, including repairs on the Yankee Doodle and Stroffolino Bridges, the "SoNo Collection" mall and city projects. A listing of these projects can be found on our related projects map.
The Walk Bridge Program is coordinating closely with numerous community stakeholders including the City of Norwalk, Norwalk Harbor Management and Shellfish Commissions, Marine Police, local neighborhood groups and associations, the business community, local transit organizations, historical groups, rowing clubs, residents, commuters, arts organizations, schools, and more. If you would like to schedule a meeting for your group or organization, please contact the Public Information Team.