Glastonbury Infrastructure: Election Day voting and bridge demolition overlap

One bridge demolition on Route 17 in Glastonbury, Connecticut, has been extended by seven days. The state Department of Transportation (CTDOT) now expects nightly jackhammering to continue through Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 a.m. The project was originally scheduled to conclude on Oct. 28. The noise impacts the Bridge No. 389 site at the intersection with the New London Turnpike. CTDOT has installed temporary sound barrier panels near adjacent condominium units to mitigate the disturbance, though officials note the measures will not eliminate the noise entirely.

The construction schedule coincides with the state election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. across six district locations in the town. The Registrar of Voters lists Smith Middle School, Hebron Avenue School, Gideon Welles School, Nayaug Elementary School, the Academy Building, and Hopewell Elementary School as designated voting sites. Residents who have not yet registered can complete same-day registration in the Academy Building's All Purpose Room at 2143 Main St. There is no early voting available on Monday, Nov. 2. Sample ballots are available on the registrar's website.

Following the election, House Street will undergo a temporary detour from Thursday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 6. The town will close the segment between Salmon Brook Drive and Griswold Street from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both days. The closure facilitates the removal of the existing pedestrian bridge over Salmon Brook on Thursday and the installation of the replacement structure on Friday. Only local traffic is permitted to pass through the work zone during these hours. Residents living north of the closure, 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 also scheduled two community events during this period. Welles-Turner Library at 2407 Main St. hosts "An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe" on Monday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This event is part of the library's programming for America's 250th anniversary. The library also lists a Teen Hangout for Monday afternoon and the Cozy Crafters Club for Tuesday morning. On Election Day afternoon, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the Riverfront Community Center and Fairgrounds will hold "Sharing Personal Stories: An Intergenerational, Election Day Ice Cream Social."

The town is relaying the extended demolition timeline from the state DOT. The overnight work runs from approximately 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. The Route 17 and New London Turnpike Improvements Project is a state-led infrastructure effort. The pedestrian bridge replacement on House Street is a local town project. The election day social and library events are listed on the town's official events calendar. The next scheduled activity is the Poe evening on Monday, followed by the state election on Tuesday.