It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Derby Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Derby, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“The staff at ABC has been wonderful! It's easy to reach them, they are responsive,”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend.”
“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”
“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would”
“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years”
“The staff at ABC has been wonderful! It's easy to reach them, they are responsive, respectful, and cheerful. This was the first step in getting outside assistance for our Mom and we were so impressed with how thorough the care was - the first helper checked to see that her home was safe and that she knew how to use her cell phone. We'd highly recommend using their in home care.”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”
“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend. We all thought she was wonderful!! I think her biggest strength is that she sees the work, needs little/to no direction, offers to take things out of our hands, and is a true-go-getter. For Billie, this type of help is great since she feels like she can take some time to rest and trust all is okay. Mary works hard and is also very patient. I really think Mary is a natural dealing with elderly. She is patient and kind! Anyway, what I wanted to ask is if Mary can be the consistent caregiver for the weekends. The other 4 caregivers that I have met are also very nice. We would like Mary as much as possible as she is punctual, and as I mentioned before, sees what needs doing. She is focused on what she can do to help. She doesnt just sit there next to Bill, she has eyes in the back of her head and goes the extra mile. Anything that needs to get done, she says no wait, let me do it if she hasnt already initiated it herself. She seems to have endless energy and never complained. I just felt compelled to drop you a this note to let you know how impressed we were with her. Thanks”
“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”
“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant to have someone come into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased with Betsy. Not only does she have someone to keep her company and meet her physical needs—her kitchen is looking cleaner than I have seen it in a while. Thank you again. Your kind manner was reassuring to my mother and to me, and you have made the process of caring for my mother at home easy, and provided me with much needed relief so that I can actually return to work with a calm mind.”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”
“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would do their very best to take care of you in your time of need. I will recommended this facility to family and friends. I want to thank you so much for the exceptional care you took of my dad. I hold your agency in the highest regard and you have my deepest appreciation.”
“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years old. She refused to leave her home. Susan Oderwald took wonderful care of her. She found caregivers for her who treated her with kid gloves and she herself went above and beyond by getting papers signed, visiting her in the hospital and fetching things for her. I don't know what I would have done without her, since I live 3,000 miles away. I highly recommend her, her services and her staff of caregivers.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Coon Hollow Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Twisted Vine Restaurant or visit Sterling Opera House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Derby, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Derby, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Derby, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club will honor the winners at its 20th Annual "No 'I' in Team" High School Awards Banquet.SHELTON / DERBY — Derby's Michael Slack and Ben Liberatore, of Shelton, will be among the 34 honorees to receive the John “Whitey” Piurek “There’s No ‘I’ in Team” Award at the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club’s upcoming banquet.The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Inc., will hold its 20th Annual “No ‘I’ in Team” Hi...
SHELTON / DERBY — Derby's Michael Slack and Ben Liberatore, of Shelton, will be among the 34 honorees to receive the John “Whitey” Piurek “There’s No ‘I’ in Team” Award at the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club’s upcoming banquet.
The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Inc., will hold its 20th Annual “No ‘I’ in Team” High School Awards Banquet on Sunday, June 8, at The Woodwinds in Branford. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with the speaking program and a buffet brunch to begin at 11 a.m.
Tickets to the 2025 SCDC “No ‘I’ in Team” luncheon are $50 per person and will only be sold in advance. Tickets can be purchased online here or by contacting Rose V. Mentone, Executive Director, at [email protected].
The SCDC, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization whose stated mission is to foster and promote the game of baseball in greater New Haven, will bestow upon a player from each of 34 area high schools the John “Whitey” Piurek “There’s No ‘I’ in Team” Award.
The honor is named for Piurek, the longtime West Haven High School coach, Seattle Mariners scout, and Greater New Haven Baseball Umpires Association commissioner, and is tagged with one of his favorite phrases.
Honorees were selected jointly by their coaches and directors of athletics. While it was recommended schools choose a senior, they were free to recognize any player they felt gave most unselfishly to their team.
Winners represent the Southern Connecticut Conference (19), Shoreline Conference (5), Naugatuck Valley League (4), New England Private Schools Athletics Council (3), Central Connecticut Conference (2), and Connecticut Technical Conference (1)
The SCDC will also recognize its Teams of the Year and Coaches of the Year at the luncheon. Honorees will be announced later this week.
The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club redirects all net proceeds back to the local baseball community. To make a donation, visit the link above or donate via Venmo @SCDC-1.
The 2025 winners of the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club John “Whitey” Piurek “There’s No ‘I’ in Team” Award are:
Amity Regional – Carlo Lombardi
Ansonia – Rey Alvarez
Branford – Carson Jarvis
Canterbury – Jake Petrin
Cheshire – Nick Giampietro
Derby – Michael Slack
East Haven – Cameron LaCroix
Fairfield Prep – J.J. Schachinger
Foran - Mathew Krenicki
Guilford - Matt DiNardo
Haddam-Killingworth - Colton Merola
Hamden - Armando Rodriguez
Hamden Hall - Atticus Bird
Hand - Cooper Burke
Hillhouse/Career - Yadriel Gonzalez-Serrano
Hopkins - Matthew Ragaza
Law - Christian Galligan
Lyman Hall - Owen Rich
Morgan - Wyatt Luke
Naugatuck - Kevin Cestari
North Branford - Jason O’Connor
Notre Dame (West Haven) - Nico Bonilla
North Haven - Andrew Manzo
Old Saybrook - Charles Carmichael
Platt HS - Jayden Gaither
Sheehan - Garrett Wilkinson
Shelton - Ben Liberatore
Southington – Marco Spataro
Westbrook – Kyle Leandri
West Haven – Zach Boutellier
Wilbur Cross – Jean Guerrero
Wilcox Tech – Ean Finkle
Woodland Regional – Brett Lato
A Derby High School senior recently received a memorial scholarship that was presented at a special luncheon earlier this month.DERBY, CT — Quinlan Gray, a Derby High School senior, received a SCASA Memorial Scholarship at a special luncheon held May 2 at La Bella Vista in Waterbury.According to a news release provided by Derby Public Schools, these memorial scholarships are in honor of former Hamden Superintendent Alida Begina and former East Haven Superintendent Martin DeFelice Jr.The scholarship is awarded to ...
DERBY, CT — Quinlan Gray, a Derby High School senior, received a SCASA Memorial Scholarship at a special luncheon held May 2 at La Bella Vista in Waterbury.
According to a news release provided by Derby Public Schools, these memorial scholarships are in honor of former Hamden Superintendent Alida Begina and former East Haven Superintendent Martin DeFelice Jr.
The scholarship is awarded to students who intend to major in education and work in K-12 public education, who have demonstrated involvement in the education field such as tutoring, peer advising, student teacher club, etc., who has demonstrated high academic achievement of a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and who is a student of high moral character, according to the district.
"We are incredibly proud of Quinlan for being selected as this year's recipient of the SCASA Scholarship Award," Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway Jr. said in a news release. "Quinlan embodies the leadership, dedication, academic excellence and the grind and grit that this award represents. Her decision to pursue a career in education is both inspiring and a testament to her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. We are excited to see her future unfold and know she will be a powerful force for good in the classroom and beyond."
Gray ranks fifth in her class and has embraced a rigorous course load, including five AP classes. She was a member of the district's U.S. legal class, which competed in a mock trial competition in Bridgeport Superior Court.
Beyond academics, Gray is a strong student-leader and advocate. She is a two-year captain of the varsity volleyball team and played basketball, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track, according to the district.
As a member of the National Honor Society and student council, Gray has spearheaded fundraisers, organized a city-wide cleanup, volunteered at local shelters and co-chaired a youth volleyball clinic for middle school students.
Gray is a founding member of the Rotary Interact Club and has represented Derby High School at the American Legion Girls State and UConn's Summer LEAD Program, according to the district.
"Quinlan Gray embodies a unique blend of dedication, resilience, honesty and compassion," Jennifer Ostrosky, a guidance counselor at Derby High School, said in a news release. "As a natural leader and unwavering supporter, she is driven by a deep desire to learn and a commitment to making a lasting, positive impact on her school community."
Crews are making improvements to the the Commodore Hull Bridge, which connects Shelton and Derby over the Housatonic River.State inspectors say they found that some parts of the bridge are beginning to deteriorate.The Connecticut Department of Transportation's Director of Communications Josh Morgan said Wednesday that inspectors were looking at the bridge, in preparation for a future project, when they noticed concerning issues with its structure.Morgan noted that the deterioration was observed on the gusset plates under...
Crews are making improvements to the the Commodore Hull Bridge, which connects Shelton and Derby over the Housatonic River.
State inspectors say they found that some parts of the bridge are beginning to deteriorate.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation's Director of Communications Josh Morgan said Wednesday that inspectors were looking at the bridge, in preparation for a future project, when they noticed concerning issues with its structure.
Morgan noted that the deterioration was observed on the gusset plates under the bridge.
RELATED: East Haddam Swing Bridge reopens as construction reaches completion
“Pieces of plate material that are holding some of the support structure together, which is overall a component of the bridge, which is supporting the weight of the bridge, plus all the vehicles, which are traveling in the bridge,” said Morgan.
Once officials learned of the deterioration, CTDOT signed an emergency declaration to quickly hire contractors to begin working on the project.
“What they're actually out doing now this week is they're milling off the pavement, about three or four inches. Take some of that weight off the road, and then they’ll be able to get underneath the bridge and start doing the repairs to those gusset plates,” Morgan added.
According to Morgan, the bridge is still safe for travel. However, CTDOT has implemented a 32-ton weight restriction on the bridge to avoid putting any additional stress on it.
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The bridge will still be open for travel, but different lanes will be closed during different phases of the project.
Dylan Witkowski, a local resident, says this section of Route 8 often sees a lot of traffic.
He thinks the construction could cause long lines on the bridge.
“Summer is when most people have their travel plans, so on top of just the typical work commute and what not, there going to be a lot more people on the road. Especially with holiday weekends, Fourth of July, so, hopefully, they wrap it up quick,” said Witkowski.
RELATED: I-95 Bridge replacement projects set to start in West Haven
Morgan said the construction project officially began on Tuesday.
Chris Masulli says while traffic will be difficult to manage, he’s thankful CTDOT is being proactive with the repair project.
“People are going to be mad about the extended commute, but at the same time, it’s good that they’re keeping up with things and keeping things maintained properly," said Masulli.
Morgan said it’s too soon to give a timeframe as to when the work will be finished, but CTDOT officials expect construction to continue at least through this month.
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The Commadore Hull Bridge, a section of Route 8 that connects Shelton and Derby, is getting repairs after a discovery was made by inspectors with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.The DOT makes clear the bridge is safe for travel.In a statement, the DOT said during a special inspection ahead of scheduled work, inspectors noticed further deterioration of “gusset plates” under the bridge. They are described as the mechanism holding the trusses of the bridge together which support the weight of the bridge an...
The Commadore Hull Bridge, a section of Route 8 that connects Shelton and Derby, is getting repairs after a discovery was made by inspectors with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The DOT makes clear the bridge is safe for travel.
In a statement, the DOT said during a special inspection ahead of scheduled work, inspectors noticed further deterioration of “gusset plates” under the bridge. They are described as the mechanism holding the trusses of the bridge together which support the weight of the bridge and traffic traveling overhead.
“If there was any concern with the bridge as it is today, they would have for sure closed the bridge all together,” Professor Arash Zaghi with UConn’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering said.
He said in his experience working with DOT, they often take the conservative approach to safety, so he believes they are taking the necessary steps to ensure safe travel despite the needed fix.
Upon the discovery, the department initiated an emergency declaration so they could begin work immediately.
It's a necessary step, according to Zaghi.
“For these types of systems, we don’t get long warning,” he said. “They need to act fast when they determine any sort of problem because they don’t get much time.”
But that isn’t cause for concern, considering how fast they moved on this issue. He again reiterated his experience working with DOT, and their approach to safety when it comes to the state’s infrastructure.
DOT has placed a 32-ton weight limit on the bridge for the time being while repairs occur and are implementing lane shifts to keep weight off the trouble spots.
They reiterated in their statement, “The bridge remains safe for the traveling public.”
Work is set to begin immediately and will occur overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. There is no timetable for the work at this point.
DOT noted they will update the timeline and note any changes as they come.
The on-ramps to the bridge on the northbound side may be shut down at points during repairs.
For those that use the bridge frequently, they appreciate a quick response to a discovered problem.
“It’s a great relief to know they are being proactive there, that’s right where I get off my exit there,” Linda Bray, who works in Shelton, said.
She said she spends a decent amount of time on the roads down in this part of the state. She is grateful a problem was discovered fast, and a fix is imminent.
“It’s worth a little bit of annoyance for a while,” she said.
DOT is also reminding drivers to slow down and move over when inside a work zone, or if there are any vehicles or crews on the side of the road.
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