Norwalk panel approves expedited repairs, short closure at Route 123 railroad crossing

The Norwalk City Police Commission voted Thursday to approve Connecticut Department of Transportation emergency repairs at the Route 123 (New Canaan Avenue) railroad crossing, authorizing an accelerated closure to correct roadway elevation and drainage issues created after recent Metro-North track work.

The project team from Connecticut DOT described the work as an expedited safety and maintenance response after Metro-North raised track elevation, creating steep transitions on each side of the crossing and causing low-clearance vehicles to scrape the roadway. Prashant Chandra, a Connecticut Department of Transportation District 3 representative, said the district was notified Sept. 22 that project 30231 had been initiated as a “high priority project with an accelerated schedule.”

“The permanent improvements listed below are required,” Chandra said, describing a new roadway profile to match the raised track and drainage work east of the crossing to stop water from running across the tracks. Jared Hendrickson, project engineer, said the repair work will “smooth this out, improve the roadway drainage as well, and get everything so that every vehicle…