[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079420,"mediaKeyId","2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac","parentId",2956001,"title","DOT and Norwalk officials give multi-year update on Walk Bridge; major construction, truck routing and outreach ahead","audioSeconds",2344,"startMs",1306000,"endMs",3650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac&start=1306&end=3650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac/thumbnail_1306000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079420/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/DOT-and-Norwalk-officials-give-multi-year-update-on-Walk-Bridge-major-construction-truck-routing-and-outreach-ahead","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079420-cef5b39a09b9f489c995252c0c4c6e25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394105&Signature=AOUNmnNNon529b3NhY2D9mHebKLihykS6dAX1UnZSOG-vQq9TRMl45u0jc2aao-AwuDyOmGnQXFf2HKVPs8JF4C15aLomSAdr09AIQS0nMGyljCwRX3h6w5DlEtYQii4rrpfRSiFe1EblmHtpsMTbXbycHESYE-lEzy6pDRI~TQbmMRogI7sDbQkG-~ONEruoAsN7DN~9s4oXnGQhqg8iBjiC7A0kBKiQmPwtLPk5RcDAMZ9keAZtz69EhoOZQeh-fOAaMCvf9PNkWKLmNK7QCrCjJAMm9c0mP7IeOZ~lTfIecXpZxSHVBId3TAz0FFzBF-seVYis-KQr2K76xvJ3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwalk, CT","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Connecticut Department of Transportation officials and Norwalk public works staff updated the Common Council on April 8 on the Walk Bridge replacement and a package of connected East Norwalk projects, saying primary bridge elements are scheduled for installation in 2027–2029 and site restoration should conclude in early 2030.

The presentation, led by Rory McGlasson, public information manager for WSP working on behalf of the Department of Transportation, described current work on underground utility bypasses, foundation shafts and staged construction that will allow large bridge spans to be floated into place.

The update matters because the Walk Bridge program affects traffic, freight movement and neighborhoods across Norwalk; it also requires extended staging areas and truck routes and has prompted requests for heightened resident notification and multilingual outreach.

DOT and city staff described work now underway and the schedule ahead. Rory McGlasson said the project “is really into construction now” and noted crews have completed the north microtunnel and were progressing on the south side; engineers plan to drill a microtunnel roughly 400 feet long and about 50 feet below the riverbed to carry traction power and communications lines beneath the Norwalk River.

Mark Strang, a project engineer on the program, walked the council through recent site operations. He described installation of large oscillated steel casings and deep shaft work that reached bedrock, and he outlined the sequence for removing the existing high towers after new Eversource lines are terminated and de-energized this spring. Strang said the project will use barges to float preassembled bridge spans into place during restricted in-water work windows (generally November–April).

Vanessa Valadares, Norwalk’s chief of public works, said the city and DOT have coordinated since the program’s early planning, and she emphasized the outreach role played by WSP and DOT. She introduced the public outreach team and the department’s on-site contact resources and asked residents to use the project website for updates.

Project manager Gus Mello described truck routing and demolition plans. He said the program identified designated truck routes and that the largest steel members will be moved by barge when feasible, with smaller components arriving by truck within approved routes. “We are going to be basically putting them on barge,” Mello said of the largest elements.

Council members pressed staff on local impacts: how demolition materials will be removed, when large shipments will arrive at the Marissa Island staging area, and how notifications will reach residents near Woodward Avenue and South Main streets. Staff said they maintain a stakeholder email list, conduct monthly meetings with neighborhood associations, distribute door‑to‑door notices for road closures and maintain a project hotline (info@walkbridgect.com and 833‑GO‑WALK).

Officials also noted site-specific work now visible to the public: lift-tower pier construction, the microtunnel bypass, and work on three replacement bridges in East Norwalk. The DOT team said major in-water operations, including flotation and final span placement, are scheduled for 2027, with final cleanup and site restoration anticipated by early 2030.

Council members urged intensified multilingual outreach, door-to-door flyers and direct contact with schools as construction ramps up. Several members asked staff to coordinate with the school district to notify parents about heavy equipment and truck shipments near walking routes.

What’s next: DOT and WSP said they will continue neighborhood briefings, send advanced notices for major shipments and provide updated schedule maps on the project website. Staff offered to arrange site tours for council members and stakeholder groups on request.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Norwalk Common Council 04-08-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Connecticut Department of Transportation officials and Norwalk public works staff updated the Common Council on April 8 on the Walk Bridge replacement and a package of connected East Norwalk projects, saying primary bridge elements are scheduled for installation in 2027–2029 and site restoration should conclude in early 2030.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079410,"Votes at a glance: Norwalk Common Council, April 8, 2025 — minutes, appointments and consent calendar approved",3098,908000,4006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac&start=908&end=4006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac/thumbnail_908000.jpg","/articles/6079410/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-Norwalk-Common-Council-April-8-2025-minutes-appointments-and-consent-calendar-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079410-6bee06532e48c1782d8299b301e20098/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394105&Signature=EW4l-QUQt81oqZTLW48dHmTyEAoImdy4Qffh528V-n5vfxwVq4pUIFlLCbdCSDTnzEiGTD4vkZE7KmxxezU~QpzPq5QRLBSdQPcj4IHgXA3bbBuXhuTBQlJwFXZl7NUmFM9w4n1ItiMcWoe1Mt3M8OdYy0rBvLFTChcQr~7D6EICv~3efC-nuTvkQBDs1Jz~bkBZimMx-~P~u30FwZ2BnM26twzF~vgXt0QFnKjxJtLL2EqvWI4qdNHVXHDem5ydMGj~3nb6Qn8r6utyEy2sDpVOBY3KWmAJ5wYmhaM5u5f0pFAXQfOXDxwz6yddfaHYkcAYF4ic-byw0voPiMx7mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 8 meeting, the Norwalk Common Council approved a set of routine items, including acceptance of minutes from the March 25 meeting, two appointments to the Board of Ethics and a multi-item consent calendar containing procurement authorizations, contracts and easements.

Votes and key items

- Acceptance of minutes: The council accepted the minutes of the regular meeting of March 25, 2025, as corrected.

- Appointments to the Board of Ethics: Kitty Sang was appointed as a regular member and Michelle Sawyer was reappointed as a regular member. Both votes were unanimous.

- Consent calendar (selected items): The council approved a package of consent items that included a purchase order for a refurbished aircraft (vendor: Brown Helicopter Inc.), a contract for repairs and improvements at the Haviland Parking Garage (GL Capasso Inc., $1,735,827), a temporary construction easement for sidewalks at 26 Wall Street, an elevator maintenance contract with Teekay Elevator Corp. (five-year agreement beginning July 1, 2025), a 15‑year gas service agreement with Eversource Energy for the Norwalk High School project, boiler equipment purchases for Rowayton Elementary School HVAC work, and multiple roadway paving and sidewalk contracts including Flax Hill Road improvements.

Each consent item was read as part of the consent calendar and approved by voice/hand vote. The council recorded no opposed votes or abstentions on the consent calendar and the measures carried unanimously.

Meeting close: After the consent calendar and the capital budget vote later in the evening, the council voted to adjourn.

","The Norwalk Common Council approved routine business on April 8, 2025: acceptance of previous meeting minutes, two ethics board appointments and a multi-item consent calendar including procurement, construction easements and maintenance contracts. All measures on the consent calendar passed unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079415,"Norwalk council approves 2025–26 capital budget after debate over turf fields, school repairs and accessibility funding",0,3923000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac&start=3923&end=3923","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956001-4ef7259cc1c3ecd821e94b2435826aac/thumbnail_3923000.jpg","/articles/6079415/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-council-approves-202526-capital-budget-after-debate-over-turf-fields-school-repairs-and-accessibility-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079415-759bd8c06be8807ef4e142672d3940f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394105&Signature=WYMyWrLJe39g6WgxAQOkRL7YBVOIDXOdbGLLgsfNNq2kEmTYAlx73qVxtEOVhQzw-JM0AWU2Nr-yVdPM38tlBO8LYS4quJVxx9sgRGegoxDATMCOdF1wu2gNcyFK4qZYU4zg56u0YyhcQ0h7f3VXoIrlWlxSevL4wPMHd5Jgy2Ur6XeS5gPNmesxYd3dSyHbn3oKxNHD-Ir4qH12-IFd7WGfu7U3oETGS-2OtFpDnrSmhn3LCMu5EJ3HJ4pHj0GhajJ~EOtDiRkJtJQAA7dsQPQSP7cGvk~57ILl~VjmGbbT-xFds~p08HzePl25xCmfuZT8K9hEhAijRG8GjLH0gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Common Council unanimously approved the city’s 2025–26 capital budget on April 8 after extended committee review and member debate about specific projects and long-term borrowing.

Mr. Goldstein (council member) moved approval of the capital budget; after discussion the motion carried with a unanimous vote. Council members emphasized that funding the capital budget authorizes project lines but does not automatically approve the details of individual projects that will return to the council for separate votes.

The budget package includes funding lines for ADA improvements at City Hall, sidewalk projects, drainage and the Dreamy Hollow neighborhood stormwater project, and facility replacements and repairs across departments. Mr. Goldstein told the council he had “gone through line by line every item” with staff and committee members and urged passage to advance long-term investments.

Public commenters and council members raised concerns during the meeting. Diane Loracella, a resident who spoke during public participation, criticized parts of the capital package as “wants, not needs” and urged tighter scrutiny. Loracella also urged the city to improve its website and digital accessibility, saying, “It’s not functional.”

An ADA advocate, who identified himself as James M., spoke about funding for accessibility improvements at City Hall, Hazard Hall and ramps near the train station. He said he has “muscular dystrophy and stelliosis and trouble walking,” and urged the council to prioritize projects that make public buildings and routes more accessible.

Council debate focused on the Broad River complex, where capital funding has been included for field and drainage work. Multiple members said the budget allocates money for site improvements but that a separate vote on the Broad River fields and any proposed artificial turf would come later. Several council members, citing recent state and national attention to PFAS (“forever chemicals”), said they are concerned about potential runoff and long-term contamination and would not support turf at that site without stronger environmental assurances. One member said the council is “not intending to support the implementation of turf fields” at the Broad River site but wants fields designed to be environmentally safe should a plan move forward.

Council members also discussed school maintenance lines in the capital budget. Several members noted that some schools require major repairs now — roof work, asbestos abatement and HVAC projects — even though those buildings may be considered for replacement in longer-term planning. Members said delaying essential maintenance would risk unsafe or unusable school space.

Council members praised the city finance staff for extensive work compiling the budget and for moving some recurring maintenance items into operating accounts so those costs are budgeted and visible year to year. Jared Schmidt, the city’s chief financial officer, and the Board of Estimate and Taxation were recognized by members for helping to shape the package and reconcile departmental requests.

The council approved the capital budget after a unanimous roll-call vote. Members reiterated that major individual projects — including the Broad River field plan, any turf decisions and contracts — will come back for separate council review and votes.

What’s next: Departments will pursue design work, permitting and individual project approvals; council members said they will watch capital authorizations closely throughout the year and review environmental and community impact details when specific project proposals return to the dais.

","The Norwalk Common Council unanimously approved the 2025–26 capital budget on April 8 after hours of committee review and public comment. Debate centered on planned recreational fields at the Broad River complex, PFAS concerns, school maintenance needs and accessibility improvements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DOT and Norwalk officials give multi-year update on Walk Bridge; major construction, truck routing and outreach ahead

Votes at a glance: Norwalk Common Council, April 8, 2025 — minutes, appointments and consent calendar approved

Norwalk council approves 2025–26 capital budget after debate over turf fields, school repairs and accessibility funding