Davis Avenue Bridge

Built in 1934, the former Bridge No. 05012 (Davis Avenue over Indian Harbor) located in Bruce Park consisted of a two-span concrete slab bridge supported on a stone masonry pier and abutments. Situated on top of an existing and aging dam, the bridge carries vehicular/pedestrian traffic and utilities and includes a draw down structure for the Davis Mill Pond, upstream. The existing bridge was in a deteriorated state, with large voids in the stone masonry pier and concrete deterioration in the superstructure. The bridge also had a substandard roadway width.

During preliminary design, Benesch determined that a full replacement would be necessary and evaluated several alternatives for the design. Ultimately, a precast deck unit superstructure supported on semi-integral concrete abutments with steel micropiles was selected. Additionally, the team decided to maintain the existing out-to-out structure width and relocate one of the bridge sidewalks onto a separate 188-foot steel truss pedestrian bridge, just upstream from the vehicular one.

Working alongside the Town of Greenwich, several subconsultants, utility owners and local stakeholders, Benesch addressed a variety of maintenance of traffic issues, environmental permitting requirements and aesthetic desires that would help maintain several historic aspects of the bridge. The dam upon which the original bridge was located was also evaluated and rehabilitated as part of this project to address water seepage through the approach embankments and downstream of the bridge.

To honor the bridge’s historic roots, Benesch designed the new vehicular bridge with a stone façade that would reflect the original structure’s aesthetics. Matching stones were sourced to maintain the aesthetic between the replacement vehicular bridge and the new pedestrian bridge. Benesch also used complementing railing types for both structures and painted them the same color, “Greenwich Green,” to match the aesthetics of Bruce Park.

Completed on time and within the Town’s budget, the Davis Bridge replacement project restored the structural integrity of the bridge and improved vehicular and pedestrian access to the area—all while maintaining aesthetics and the Town of Greenwich’s link to the past.