The CDOT Walk Bridge Program
Client
Federal Transit Administration
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Project Location
Norwalk, CT
Services Provided
Value Engineering Study
Project Type
Transit Bridge Replacements
The Walk Bridge is a four-track railroad bridge that crosses the Norwalk River, connecting South and East Norwalk. Built in 1896, it’s one of the oldest movable bridges in the region. The 564-foot long, swing bridge is part of Metro-North Railroad’s (MNR) New Haven Line and a critical link in the busiest rail corridor in the nation, the Northeast Corridor, connecting Boston, New York, and Washington D.C.
Replacing the Walk Bridge is a complex project. It requires construction to be performed in the highly developed, commercial and residential area of historic South Norwalk, while maintaining rail service and navigation on the Norwalk River.
The Value Team was tasked with providing recommendations on construction logistics, simplifying construction, and minimizing disruption to operators during construction.
The VE workshop focused on challenging constraints and assumptions, identifying alternative bridge types, changing the alignment, easing construction, improving the construction schedule, reducing railroad impacts, and selecting alternative construction materials.
These various alternatives to the current design provided the opportunity to save over 32% of the capital cost.
For more detailed project information and results, please contact the SVS Project Manager directly
