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DARIEN, Conn. All that construction at the Post Road underpass is an attempt by the state Department of Transportation to fix the flooding that occurs almost every time it rains. The project was supposed to be finished by now, but it has run into delays and could take a couple more months.
"We're trying to improve it, but we've run into unexpected complications with utilities," said Kevin Nursick of the DOT. As crews started to dig to add more catch basins and manholes to improve drainage, they have run into water and fiber optic utility lines that run under the road's surface.
"There are more of them and in different locations than expected, which makes the work a little more challenging. We've had to make changes on the fly," Nursick said.
The DOT started work on the project at the end of May and was expecting to be done by July 8. The east sidewalk near Tokeneke Road was closed for the first phase, which was supposed to be finished by about June 20.
Nursick said the east side will remain closed for a couple more weeks. After that, the crews will close the west sidewalk to begin work there. All in all, Nursick speculated that the project could take a few more months.
The DOT is looking to add 11 more catch basins to improve water drainage when it rains. Nursick said underpasses under train tracks are typically problematic because, unlike highways, the tracks can't incline up to go over the road. The only solution is to have the road dip to go under the tracks, which leads to flooding.
Nursick said the DOT should issue a statement within the next week with more concrete dates on when the project should be completed.
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