By Avice Meehan

A German-made rig so tall that it is nearly even with the top of Center Cemetery—the BG 23 H made by Bauer Maschenin GmbH and can reach a maximum height of 72 feet—is being used by K2 Construction to install the foundations for the first of two retaining walls along Route 44. The drilled-shaft drill rig includes a massive auger that digs into the soil and, once that task is complete, enables workers to move metal casings into place to hold the soil secure so the foundation can be installed. Amy E. Hare, project engineer for Connecticut’s Department of Transportation (CT-DOT), likens the tubes to the “sonotubes” that might be used on the foundation for a residential deck. “Just on a larger scale,” she notes. The crew will drill between 120 and 130 of the casings, which will then be filled with concrete and drilled with tall steel beams. For those who might be curious, the numbers on the sides of the steel casings, which are stored along Route 44, designate location. The $37.5 million project is expected to be completed by September 2026 and come in under budget. That will be good news for residents of Old Colony Road who have had to contend with motorists using the steep and curvy road as a shortcut. First Selectman Matt Riiska said CT-DOT and the Connecticut State Police have now agreed to close the road to through traffic for portions of the day.