Years in the Making, Road Will Close for Bridge Reconstruction

Reconstruction on the Limekiln Brook Bridge reconstruction is 11 years in the making, says Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker. But now that state approval has come through, major construction is ready to start.

"It's a big project," Knickerbocker told Patch.

After 11 years, the project kicked into high gear last fall after securing funding for the design. Construction started then, but as the project moves into the major construction phase this spring, the town is shutting down roads on April 1.

At that point, drivers won't be able to access Walnut Hill Road near the intersection of Taylor Road. The road is expected to be closed until December 1.

The detour may take some getting used to for Bethel drivers. Traffic will be rerouted to Old Hawleyville Road via Plumtrees Road and Route 6 to avoid the closure, according to the town's website.

"That's a long way around," Knickerbocker said, outlining the route on a map while sitting in his office last week. "There's really no easy way around," he added.