Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sikorsky Memorial Bridge |
|
|---|---|
Traveling eastbound (toward Milford) on the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge in June 2007.
|
|
| Coordinates | 41°14′47″N 73°05′29″W / 41.24639°N 73.09139°W |
| Carries | 6 lanes of the  Merritt Parkway (Route 15) |
| Crosses | Housatonic River |
| Locale | Between Stratford and Milford, Connecticut |
| Official name | Igor Sikorsky Memorial Bridge |
| Maintained by | Connecticut Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | steel continuous stringer/multi-beam |
| Total length | 548.6 metres (1,800 ft) |
| Width | 16.2 metres (53 ft) |
| Clearance below | 25.9 metres (85 ft) |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 79,700 |
| Toll | (Until 1988) $0.35 |
The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge is a very important bridge in Connecticut. It is also known as the Sikorsky Memorial Bridge or the Housatonic River Bridge. This bridge carries a major road called the Merritt Parkway (which is also Connecticut Route 15) over the Housatonic River. It connects the towns of Stratford and Milford.
History of the Sikorsky Bridge
The First Bridge
The first bridge at this location was finished in 1940. It was called the Sikorsky Bridge. Its completion marked the end of the Merritt Parkway construction. It also marked the start of building the nearby Wilbur Cross Parkway.
This original bridge had two lanes for traffic in each direction. It used a special open steel grid for its road surface. This design helped save money during construction. However, many drivers did not like it.
A place where people paid money to cross, called a toll plaza, was located at the eastern end of the bridge. People paid 35 cents to cross. Connecticut stopped collecting tolls in 1988. The old toll plaza is now saved and can be seen in Stratford. It is located at the Boothe Memorial Park and Museum.
Naming the Bridge
The Sikorsky Bridge was named after a famous aviation pioneer, Igor Sikorsky. He was a very important person in the history of airplanes and helicopters. His helicopter factory is still located near the bridge. It is on the western side of the river, just north of the bridge's entrance.
Building the New Bridge
After many years of studying the environment, the Connecticut Department of Transportation decided to build a new bridge. They gave an $87 million contract to Balfour Beatty Construction in 2000. This new bridge would be called the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge.
The southern part of the new bridge opened in 2003. The old Sikorsky Bridge was then taken down in 2004. During the demolition, a crane overturned and fell into the partially frozen Housatonic River.
The rest of the new Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge was finished in 2006. This was about two years later than planned. The new bridge has a strong concrete road surface with an asphalt top layer. It has three lanes for traffic in each direction. It also has wide shoulders on both sides for safety. There is even a sidewalk for people who want to walk across. The bridge features nice wrought-iron railings and special lighting.
A new safety feature was added to the new bridge. It has concrete barriers that protect the bridge supports from being hit by ships. The old bridge from 1940 did not have this important protection.
In 2006, the new bridge was officially named the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge.
