By Avice Meehan

As K2 Infrastructure ushers in the spring construction season and restarts work on rebuilding two retaining walls on Route 44, hopes sprang up in the hearts of some Norfolk residents that a third, failing wall could be added as a “change order” to the massive $37 million project. Alas, that is not to be.

The wall, located on a curved stretch of Route 44 further toward North Canaan, is currently being held in place by so-called mafia or bunker blocks. It is in poor condition and residents of the area approached the Board of Selectmen looking for relief.

The state Department of Transportation considered the idea in 2024 and 2025, with DOT engineer Amy Hare acknowledging that it “would have been good” if the projects could have been managed together. Hare said the smaller wall turns out to be complicated to pull apart and rebuild. She said it would require relocation of overhead utilities, as well as expansion of the state’s right of way and potential realignment of the road itself. She added that there is a high likelihood of asbestos in the metal bin wall located behind the mafia blocks. “It is too complex of an issue to rush,” she said. First Selectman Henry Tirrell expressed disappointment after hearing the news from Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and said he had mentioned the project to state Rep. Maria Horn. “They know it is a problem,” he said, adding that he would continue to push on the town’s behalf.