Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, recently won a 2016 Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Connecticut.

Dewberry completed design and construction inspection services for the $2.1 million rehabilitation of the East Rock Road Bridge over the Mill River in New Haven, Connecticut. The project consisted of deck replacement, superstructure steel repairs and modifications, and repairs to the substructures to improve the condition of the bridge. Dewberry obtained an exception from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to maintain the existing 20-foot roadway width. The design complied with the request, by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and proposed that the design facilitate retention and continued reuse of the existing bridge.

The East Rock Road Bridge contributes to the historic ambience of the East Rock Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The design required the existing bridge’s 84-foot-long superstructure to be removed in its entirety, and the 1900-built arches and 1984-built columns transported to a shop off-site where they were completely dismantled, blast cleaned, repaired, strengthened, and painted. Dewberry also incorporated aesthetic enhancements, such as a replica of the original 1900’s ornamental bridge rail system by installing decorative lighting and wayfinding signs, adding brown stone masonry facing to exposed concrete on the bridge, and landscaping.