Portland Residents Can Weigh In Aug. 4 on Railroad Bridge Rehabilitation

Portland residents will have a chance to review and comment on a proposed rehabilitation project for the railroad swing bridge connecting Portland and Middletown during a hybrid public informational meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is seeking public input on Bridge No. 00639R, which carries an existing rail line over Route 9 and the Connecticut River. Written comments will be accepted through Aug. 18, 2026, according to CTDOT project materials.

What CTDOT is proposing

The proposed work includes increasing the bridge’s load capacity, strengthening its steel trusses, rehabilitating or replacing the fender systems, and modernizing its mechanical and electrical operating systems.

The bridge connects the Town of Portland in Middlesex County with Middletown across the Connecticut River. Because the project involves a shared crossing over both Route 9 and the river, Portland residents can review the proposed scope and provide comments during the current public-input period.

The project is still in design

CTDOT describes the work as a proposed rehabilitation project in the design and public-input stage. The Aug. 4 session is an informational meeting and public-comment opportunity, not a final construction authorization. The final scope remains subject to design, funding and permitting steps.

CTDOT’s current project page lists an estimated project cost of $87 million and says construction could begin in fall 2028. That is a projected start, not a guaranteed construction date, and depends on funding and permits.

A separate CTDOT transportation capital-plan document identifies $50 million in anticipated state construction funding for the project. The $87 million figure is the current estimated project cost, while the $50 million figure is anticipated state construction funding. CTDOT notes that funding, costs and schedules may change.

How Portland residents can participate

Residents who want to review the proposal should consult CTDOT’s official Bridge No. 00639R project materials before the meeting for hybrid participation instructions and the process for submitting comments.

The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Written comments are due by Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. Until the design, funding and permitting steps are complete, the project’s final scope and construction schedule remain subject to change.

Sources

• CTDOT Bridge No. 00639R project page
• Town of Portland official town profile