Commission accepts application to replace Broad Street bridge over Ferry Creek; DEP permit allows future tidal exchange

The Stratford Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission accepted as complete an application from the town to replace the bridge over Ferry Creek on Broad Street and noted the project has a Connecticut DEP permit that requires tide-gate flexibility.

Town Engineer John Casey briefed the commission that the project will replace the existing structure with three 72-inch reinforced concrete pipe culverts, rebuild headwalls and install manually operated sluice (tie) gates. Casey said the town also plans to raise the Broad Street road profile — including the Broad Street/Ferry Boulevard intersection — to the 100-year flood elevation to reduce flooding from coastal storm tides.

Casey explained the tide gates would operate like the existing flap gates under typical conditions but could be adjusted later to allow tidal exchange if DEP determines it is appropriate. "The tie gates that we'll be putting on will be, sluice gate type tie gates. They can be, manually closed or manually opened," Casey said.

Commissioners asked about ecological effects, including passage for fish species such as the American eel. Casey said the new tie gates are intended to match current functionality at the crossing and that any future change to allow tidal exchange would be done under DEP direction and after further study: "In the current term, it'll function as it does today. And in the future, ... there will be flexibility to allow some tidewater to go upstream."

Casey told the commission the project already has a DEP permit. Commissioners and staff said the structure, built in the 1950s, is at the end of its useful life and that replacing it and raising the road will improve flood resilience and the operation of the nearby stormwater pump station.

The commission voted by voice to accept the application as complete; members did not vote on construction specifics at the acceptance stage.