Norwalk authority approves 24/7 detour for Fort Point Street retaining-wall work

The Norwalk City Traffic Authority on Nov. 17 approved an extended detour and temporary road-closure plan to support soil stabilization and retaining-wall reconstruction on Fort Point Street.

Jeff Berg, speaking on behalf of the Walkbridge project, asked the authority to extend an existing alternating truck detour to a continuous 24-hours-a-day pattern from Dec. 1, 2025, through Jan. 24, 2026. Berg said the work — including permeation grouting below the existing retaining wall — is schedule-sensitive and that completing the work with expanded daytime activity and double shifts would shorten the overall timeline by more than two months and produce cost savings for the larger Walkbridge program.

Authority members asked whether trucks could continue on current routings and about impacts to local businesses and the nearby yard-waste/DPW facility. Berg said passenger vehicles would be detoured off the work zone to improve traffic flow and that trucks would be allowed through as needed; he said businesses have been coordinated with and that driveways and pedestrian access would be maintained. A DOT representative, identifying himself as Dustin, said the Walkbridge program carries significant annual costs and supported the plan as a way to reduce project duration and community impacts.

Members asked about nighttime work and noise; Berg said preliminary night testing has already occurred and that the requested change would not increase disruptive night activity. The authority recorded no objections from police and noted prior intermittent closures in the area had not caused major problems. The motion to approve the detour and closure carried by voice vote.

The approval allows the contractor to implement the revised traffic-detour pattern and continue soil-stabilization work tied to reopening Track 3; organizers said they will notify local stakeholders at least two weeks in advance of work affecting adjacent driveways and access.