By Bob Bumcrot

New traffic lights on Rte 44, at the intersection with Ashpohtag Rd., were unveiled on May 14.

On May 14 a series of ten traffic signals began to operate near the intersection of Ashpohtag Road and Greenwoods Road West (Route 44), as bridge #2309 across Norfolk Brook is completely replaced.

Inspectors for District Four of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), of whom some are DOT employees and some are contractors, found the clear span reinforced concrete structure to be sufficiently deteriorated to accord it high priority for replacement. The project will cost several hundred thousand dollars,

The clear span will be replaced by a twin cell box culvert assembled from 14 precast concrete sections 12 feet long, some seven feet and some eight feet tall, with the taller pieces set lower to create a low flow channel. About one foot of natural stream bed will be placed on the box floors to provide a natural fish habitat.

New concrete wing walls will be installed in each direction on each side of the structure, associated channel and drainage work will be done and new guard railings will be installed. The road level will be raised about one foot.

The prime contractor is Black and Warner of Northfield. “We’ve worked in Norfolk before,” said owner Eugene Warner, as he effortlessly off-loaded a large teetering backhoe from his truck. “We put in the bridge over the Blackberry River on Blackberry Street. That’s a very pretty design.”

Project Inspector Michael Richardson or Project Engineer Ali Farzan, both from DOT, will be a continuing presence in the trailer office at the site. Richardson, who is especially friendly and interested in local history, is worth a visit just to view his magnificent moustache.

Construction will begin with the south (eastbound) lane and should take about two months. Then overhead wires for the lights will be moved and the north lane will require another two months.

State rules require two lights for each lane. Also, each driveway that opens into the construction area gets its own light. So Norfolkians can enjoy, condemn or be amused by the display until some time in November. “We really expect to be done before Thanksgiving,” said Warner with the smiling approval of Richardson. Then the town will return to its single blinker.