Historic Bridge Rehabilitation (circa 1865)
CLIENT: Watertown, CT
PROJECT: Skilton Road Bridge Rehabilitation
THE CHALLENGE: Skilton Road Bridge was originally built in 1865 as a one lane, dry stone masonry arch bridge over the Skilton Gorge in Watertown, Connecticut. Rehabilitation in 1988 included strengthening of the stone masonry with reinforced concrete, and adding concrete guide rails to the bridge. On December 10, 1991, Skilton Road Bridge was added to the National List of Historic Places, and in 2013, the bridge was found to be structurally deficient.
THE SOLUTION: Tata & Howard’s design for the rehabilitation and repair of the bridge required careful consideration of the historical nature of the structure. The design was approved and construction took place in 2015. All structural deficiencies were addressed and the project included the following:
- Removed existing guide rails
- Installed prestressed concrete beams across the top of the existing bridge
- Widened the bridge for two 9’ travel lanes and a sidewalk
- Installed new aluminum bridge rails covered with wood
- Repaired the stone masonry on the west abutment wall
- Added new storm drainage
PROGRESS: Construction on the Skilton Road Bridge was completed in October of 2015, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on December 10, 2015. The bridge maintains its historic integrity.
