Project Location: Town of Norwich in Windsor County on Interstate 91 over VT Route 10A. The bridges are located at the interchange of exit 13 at mile marker 74.8.

The existing structures each have a length of 225-feet and a width of 42-feet. Bridge 48N currently has a deck rating of 7 (Good), a superstructure rating of 7 (Good), and a substructure rating of 4 (Poor). Bridge 48S currently has a deck rating of 6 (Satisfactory), a superstructure rating of 6 (Satisfactory), and a substructure rating of 4 (Poor). This bridge was constructed in 1968.

VTrans evaluated alternatives for rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge in an engineering study completed in January 2020. This study assessed the proposed design criteria for the structure, right-of-way, and rare/threatened/endangered species impacts. Several alternatives were considered, including: no action, rehabilitation, deck replacement, superstructure replacement, and full bridge replacement. Various maintenance of traffic options were considered including an offsite detour, phased construction, a temporary bridge, or crossovers.

Given the age of the structure, site constraints and current conditions, the engineering study recommended a rehabilitation with traffic maintained on crossover, however in December 2022 superstructure deterioration was observed thus requiring full replacement of the structures.

The Norwich bridge 48 N&S project includes the replacement of the two existing 3-span continuous plate girder bridges with single span girder bridges founded on deep foundations behind Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls.

VTrans concluded Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) investigation December 2023 with determination the Norwich municipal waterline will require relocation beneath the proposed bridges along VT 10A.