Stone walls, houses, trees, and a historic milestone flank the roadway in Old Lyme with the Connecticut River and Connecticut River Railroad Bridge in background
Replacing a 134-year-old rail bridge across the Genesee River Gorge
Connecticut River Bridge Replacement
Over 110 years old, the Connecticut River Bridge along the Northeast Corridor between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme is the oldest movable bridge between New Haven and Boston. AKRF prepared an Environmental Assessment pursuant to NEPA guidelines for replacement of the bridge, including a comprehensive alternatives development and screening process. Among other environmental studies, we assessed the potential ecological impacts to the aquatic resources and tidal wetlands in the Connecticut River associated with the proposed bridge replacement, including a characterization of existing environmental conditions and a projection of potential impacts to tidal mixing zone of this unique estuary. An ecological evaluation for Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon as well as a qualitative assessment of potential underwater noise impacts to aquatic resources was included as well.