Hunting Lodge Road in Mansfield, Conn. has reopened after the completion of a construction project, according to a Town of Mansfield press release. The road runs along the edge of the University of Connecticut Storrs campus and connects to neighboring areas of Mansfield.
The road first closed almost three years ago, in April 2022, after a sinkhole was identified, raising safety concerns, according to Assistant Town Engineer Derek Dilaj. Then, in November 2023, a publicly bid project solicitation came about, which prompted construction work to begin the following May.
The town’s department of public works, along with the contractor Genovesi Construction, worked to replace a “failing twin 48-inch corrugated metal pipe” with a concrete pipe and an 8-by-6 concrete culvert, the press release stated. The metal pipes were “severely deteriorated,” resulting in the formation of the sinkhole.
The replacement and expansion of the culvert, which carries Eagleville Brook, is meant to “improve stream connectivity for wildlife and provide a service life of over 75 years,” according to the press release. According to Dilaj, it is common to assign bridges and other structures a 75-year service life, a term that considers design parameters, construction and replacement plans.
“Many structures in engineering, bridges as an example use a 75 year service life which balances costs, changing travel needs and technology changes,” Dilaj wrote in an email to The Daily Campus. “Over the last 75 years, technology for vehicles has changed considerably and made them heavier. Vehicles have become larger and currently electric vehicles are much heavier than a similar internal combustion vehicle. This addition [in] size and weight requires stronger designs to accommodate that weight.”
Dilaj clarified that while a majority of the work has been completed, minor additions will take place later this spring. As mentioned in the press release, the additions will include “pavement markings, grading the road shoulder and seeding all disturbed areas.”
In addition to the culvert replacement, the town and contractor realigned the curved portion of Hunting Lodge Road. According to Dilaj, the decision behind the realignment stems from various factors, including impact to the guiderail due to vehicles traveling too quicky for the curve’s conditions. Improvement to the curve largely consisted of elevation of the roadway to improve traction.
“The historical curve and guiderail had been impacted many times during its service life by vehicles for various reasons including traveling too quickly for conditions, an oncoming vehicle and pedestrian, as examples,” said DIlaj. “The curve was improved by super elevating (or banking) the roadway such that vehicles will have improved traction.”
Along with the elevation of the roadway, new signage was placed on the road to “better indicate the approaching curve,” according to the press release.
Dilaj added that a multi-use trail is in its final design stage and is scheduled for construction either later this year or early next year.
“In addition the new bridge provides accommodation for a multi-use trail that is currently in final design and scheduled for construction late this year or early next year,” said Dilaj.
According to the press release, the Town of Mansfield funded the entirety of the cost of the project. The design cost $42,300, with the construction component totaling $869,000.