DOT announces bridge closure

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NAUGATUCK — The state Department of Transportation announced that the Route 68 bridge is scheduled to be closed this weekend.

The bridge, which connects Bridge Street to Prospect Street, is undergoing a significant rehabilitation project. The bridge is scheduled to close at 8 p.m. on Friday and remain closed through 5 a.m. Monday, the DOT stated in a press release. The bridge could re-open earlier if the work scheduled is completed early.

The detour route provided by the DOT for travelers on Route 68 east is: follow Route 63, south to Route 8, north to exit 28 to Route 68 east. For those driving on Route 68 west the route is: follow Route 8, south to exit 26 to Route 63, north to Route 68 west.

The bridge is undergoing a $12.8 million rehabilitation project that started in April. The project includes replacing the existing concrete bridge beams with high-strength weathering steel, full replacement of the existing concrete deck, reconstruction of the bridge set at both abutments, reconstruction of existing wing walls and various repairs to the existing five piers. Extensive utility relocation is also included in the plans, according to DOT. The project is expected to continue until November 2018.