Walk Bridge Replacement

Heavy/Civil Infrastructure, Bridges
CM/GC
Norwalk, CT
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Award Winner

The original New Haven Line Railroad Bridge (Walk Bridge) over the Norwalk River in Norwalk was constructed in 1896. The structure carries four tracks of Metro-North commuter rail and Amtrak as well as freight carriers. Approximately 200 trains per day use the structure.

The project, which is a joint venture with Cianbro, involved replacing the existing four-span bridge with a state-of-the-art multi-span bridge, including 240-foot dual lift spans with fixed east and west approach spans over the Norwalk River. To improve the reliability of the corridor, the replacement structure consists of twin double-track structures, with each bridge having independently operated movable spans.

The Walk Bridge was CTDOT’s first CM/GC horizontal construction project. Awarded on a best value basis, the Joint Venture team received the highest Total Best Value Score (92.5/100).

2023 – Safety Leadership
2022 – Safety Leadership
2020 – Perfect Record

By The Numbers

$1.5B
Project Value

Scope of Work
  • Project is comprised of:
    • Existing Fender System Repair
    • CP243 Interlock Project
    • Danbury Brand Dockyard Project
    • Replacement of the Walk Bridge
  • Replacement of the Osborne and East Avenue Bridges
  • Overall construction phasing to limit impacts and maintain rail traffic and waterway traffic
  • Removal of existing bridge superstructure, substructure, fender system, and overhead catenary system components
  • Installation of new bridge approach substructure
  • Bring the existing wooden fender system to a state of good repair
  • Construction of a new four-track interlocking 1.5 miles east of the Walk Bridge
  • Add track sidings, signal upgrades and electrification to the southern end of the Danbury Branch of the New Haven Line
Unique Challenges
  • Due to the critical rail traffic that uses the tracks, the construction of the replacement structure needs to minimize impacts to Metro-North and Amtrak services