Glastonbury Infrastructure Projects Extend Disruptions Ahead of State Vote
Bridge demolition and street closures will impact Route 17 and House Street this week, coinciding with Tuesday's election.
By Harper Laurent ·
Glastonbury residents face a week defined by overlapping public works and civic duties. While voters prepare for Tuesday's state election, two separate construction projects will alter daily commutes and sleep schedules. The state Department of Transportation and the town are managing these disruptions simultaneously, with one project already running behind its original timeline.
The state's Route 17 and New London Turnpike Improvements Project has extended its overnight demolition work. Jackhammering to dismantle Bridge No. 389 will continue nightly through Wednesday, November 4. The work is scheduled to run from approximately 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. This timeline extends past the original completion date of October 28. The town relayed this updated schedule from the state Department of Transportation, noting that the project is being carried out by the state.
To mitigate the impact on nearby residents, CTDOT has installed temporary sound barrier panels near adjacent condominiums. Officials clarified that these barriers will reduce but not eliminate the noise from the demolition. Residents in the area must continue to expect the sound of construction during the early morning hours through the end of the week.
Separately, the town will detour House Street to replace a pedestrian bridge over Salmon Brook. The street will be closed to through traffic from Salmon Brook Drive north to Griswold Street on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6. Work hours for this replacement are set from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Thursday, crews will remove the existing bridge, and on Friday, they will install the new structure. Only local traffic will be permitted to pass through the zone.
Residents living north of the construction site, including those on Nye Road, Spring Street Extension, and Short Circle, are advised to use House Street to reach the Griswold Street intersection. The town specified that this route remains open for local access despite the ongoing bridge swap. This detour aligns with the final days of the current construction phase for that specific bridge.
These infrastructure updates coincide with the state election, which takes place Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at designated district locations. Voters in District 1 will cast ballots at Smith Middle School, while District 2 voters will go to Hebron Avenue School. District 4 residents will vote at Gideon Welles School, and District 5 voters will use Nayaug Elementary School.
District 7 voters are assigned to the Academy Building, and District 9 residents will vote at Hopewell Elementary School. The Registrar of Voters has confirmed that same-day registration is available for those not previously enrolled. This process will take place in the All Purpose Room of the Academy Building at 2143 Main St. There is no early voting scheduled for Monday, November 2.
The town's events calendar also lists two community activities this week. The Welles-Turner Library at 2407 Main St. will host an evening event dedicated to Edgar Allan Poe on Monday, November 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This program is part of the library's America's 250th series. On Tuesday, November 3, the Riverfront Community Center and Fairgrounds will hold an intergenerational ice cream social from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to coincide with the election.
