Town of Greenwich to replace Fairfield Road culvert using precast box design; summer 2027 partial closure planned

The Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works and consultant WMC on Wednesday presented plans to replace the Fairfield Road culvert over East Branch Brothers Brook with a precast four‑sided box culvert, aiming to improve hydraulic capacity and avoid future roadway closures.

The project team said the culvert received a poor condition rating during its most recent inspection because of needed repairs to the headwalls and the culvert barrel. "The roadway at this location overtops during a 10‑year storm," the presenter said, and replacement was recommended to prevent anticipated closures and traffic impacts.

Town staff described the selected design as a precast four‑sided box culvert that spreads load over a larger area and allows use of accelerated bridge construction, or ABC, which the team said reduces construction time and cost. "This is the option that the town has decided to move forward with at this time," the presenter said.

Keegan Elder, project manager and vice president at WMC Consulting Engineers, described the expected construction sequence: utility relocations, temporary bypass piping to maintain channel flow and fish passage while the contractor works in the dry, demolition of the existing structure, placement of precast box sections with cranes, construction of wing and retaining walls, backfill, repaving and final restoration. Elder said the entire scope of work can take "anywhere from 6 to 8 months," but added contractors will stage work to limit lengthy closures during the school year.

When asked whether the road would be closed for 6 to 8 months, a meeting participant asked, "Is the road going to be closed for 6 to 8 months or —" and the consultant responded, "No. A small period of time," indicating that only a shorter, defined full‑closure window is anticipated for setting the precast elements.

The town said it plans to begin construction in spring 2027, with preparatory work such as shop drawing review and utility relocations, a period of full road closure during summer 2027 when the precast sections will be placed, and final restoration and reopening targeted for fall 2027.

Planners displayed a proposed detour that routes traffic via Old Church Road, Hillside and East Putnam Avenue and said the detour was designed to accommodate all vehicle types; the presentation noted the detour still requires approval from the Board of Selectmen.

The project team said they considered nearby work when scheduling the culvert replacement: the Central Middle School project (scheduled to finish this fall), the North Street Bridge (planned for winter 2027 completion), and a Route 1 bridge project being led by the Connecticut Department of Transportation now scheduled for spring 2028 or later. "We would like to complete the Fairfield Road culvert before that project to avoid any additional impacts," the presenter said.

The presentation noted nearby community assets — eight schools and seven places of worship — and stressed that access to those facilities will be maintained during construction. The town described its communications plan and said, "the presentation slides will be posted on the project webpage following this meeting."

Funding for construction was described as coming from the local transportation capital improvement program and the town reported that a grant application has been submitted and it is awaiting an official commitment‑to‑fund letter. The numerical amount stated in the presentation was unclear in the transcript and the town said it was awaiting confirmation of funding.

The presentation concluded and the meeting moved into the public comment portion, with virtual participants instructed to use Zoom's raise‑hand feature and phone participants given dialing instructions. The town said it will post presentation materials to the project webpage following the meeting.