Danbury Route 7 Expansion May 21, 2010

Due to the complexities of working over wetlands, JF White Construction will be utilizing a vibratory pile driving process during the reconstruction efforts of Route 7 in Danbury, CT. A vibratory pile driver/ extractor affords the ability to install the mechanisms necessary for the infrastructure while reducing the impact on the surrounding wetlands through its clever design.

On January 22nd, 2009 State Representative John Frey of Ridgefield, CT announced that the contracts for the widening project for the Phase Two Ridgefield – Danbury stretch had been signed. For motorists in the area the announcement was nearly cause for celebration as many local travelers had stated that the road was long overdue for an improvement project, considering its heavy use. The completed project should alleviate existing problems and provide a more efficient and safer roadway.

Connecticut Department of Transportation officials had performed considerable studies over the years in an effort to fully understand traffic flow challenges. Analyses led them to make suggestions on how to improve the driving experience while also taking into consideration the surrounding impact that the roadway improvements would have on the environment. The Department of Environmental Protection was heavily involved in the activities and the project has been planned to minimize the impacts of the construction efforts on the affected wetlands. The project will meet current highway design and safety standards, and also will focus on improved water quality.

The project will include installation of a number of incident management variable message signs; some of which will include traffic cameras. These additions lend to the state’s enterprise incident management system."

The project’s main objective is to widen Route 7 from a single lane in each direction to a four lane road in both northbound and southbound directions. The stretch of highway will include the area near the Ridgefield - Danbury town line to the entrance of Interstate 84. Due to the project’s design, additional infrastructure components will be required to satisfy the project goals. The northern section expansion will require the construction of a new bridge to carry the traffic over Wooster Heights Road. The newly built bridge will supply the corridor for the southbound traffic, while the existing bridge will supply the route for the northbound traffic.

JF White, a multi-disciplined contractor with deep experience in complex and large scale commercial foundations of all types, has been retained to construct the bridge efforts over the affected wetlands. White will be constructing an elevated roadway over 2900 square meters of wetlands that will be supported by concrete piles. White’s experience, abilities, diversity, and expertise made them a logical selection for the project effort. White will be utilizing vibratory pile driving equipment from International Construction Equipment in North Carolina.

 

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