After Delay, Nightly Closures of Post Road Underpass to Begin Friday

From the Connecticut Department of Transportation:

Connecticut Department of Transportation officials have announced that there will be nightly road closures — weather permitting — on Route 1 in Darien under the Metro-North Railroad Bridge beginning Friday, March 4, and continuing through Friday March 18, 2011.

The roadway will be closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each night for work to be performed in order to erect the new bridge steel for Track 4.

To erect the steel, a crane will be in position on the street level to hoist the steel in place. The contractor will require a 3-day consecutive window over the weekend (Friday –Sunday night) to secure the steel. If unfavorable weather conditions are predicted over the 3-day window, the steel placement will be postponed to the following weekend. The Department will provide weekly updates as necessary on the work progress.

During the week (Monday-Thursday), construction work will be performed on the top of the tracks, with limited vehicle and pedestrian access below. The Route 1 underpass will be open each day by 6:00 a.m. to vehicle traffic and pedestrian access.

Drivers will need to follow the posted detour signs during this time. 

• Westbound Route 1 traffic will turn right onto Sedgewick Avenue and then left on Leroy Avenue to return to Route 1. 
• Eastbound Route 1 traffic will turn left onto Leroy Avenue and then right onto Sedgewick Avenue to return to Route 1.

During this time, local traffic will be permitted to access the railroad facilities and residences, but no traffic will be allowed to pass below the bridge. Traffic control personnel will be on site directing motorists and pedestrians during the construction operations. Pedestrian traffic below the bridge will also be restricted. 

Please allow for extra time to reach the train station and board your train. The Connecticut Department of Transportation understands the inconvenience of these closures and will complete this work as quickly as possible.  Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated. 

This work is part of an ongoing project by the Department to replace bridges and catenary on the Metro-North New Haven Line between South Norwalk and Stamford.