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RiverQuest - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Sightseeing cruises in connecticut explore state's maritime history.

Sightseeing boat tours and cruises from Mystic, along the Connecticut River, and other points along the Connecticut shore offer a fresh, sailor's eye view of the rich maritime, seafaring, and ship building history of southeastern Connecticut. Join a scheduled cruise or charter a boat for a private party or a fishing excursion. Schedule cruises feature views of lighthouses , nature viewing and bird watching -- including migrating eagles and ospreys on the Connecticut River -- and relaxation at sunset. Individual charters are great for company outings, birthdays, retirements, and bachelor parties.

Argia Mystic Cruises

75 Steamboat Wharf Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987

You’ll feel you are traveling back in time when you board Mississippi-style riverboat

Blackhawk Sport Fishing

Sailing from the Niantic Bay Marina Niantic, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-448-3662 Toll-Free: 800-382-2824

Water is the perfect vantage point to view sunsets, fireworks, seals and eagles

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The 9 Best Boat Tours in Connecticut!

Take advantage of Connecticut’s 253 gorgeous miles of shoreline while on a river or Long Island Sound cruise. These ten cruises take guests through some of the most picturesque parts of Connecticut, providing unique vantage points of well-known attractions from the comfort of the vessel. In addition to learning more about the history of the ship and coastal sights, several of these cruises offer encounters with Connecticut’s wildlife.

RiverQuest, Haddam, CT

This is the ultimate nature and scenic tour of Connecticut. Float along the Connecticut River with RiverQuest, while the knowledgeable staff point out water birds, such as ospreys, cormorants, and Bald Eagles, as well as famous sights along the lower Connecticut River. Tours vary depending on the season, but numerous offerings are available from February through October, with options for sunset cruises, family-friendly tours, fall foliage viewings, and nature-focused outings.

A post shared by CT RiverQuest (@ctriverquest) on Jul 6, 2018 at 10:40am PDT

Project Oceanology, Groton, CT

Kids and adults alike will get a taste of being a marine biologist with a public boat cruise run by Project O. Summertime cruises allow participants to use oceanographic equipment to monitor the waters of the Long Island Sound, while spring cruises take you to watch the Harbor Seals near Fishers Island. Project O also offers excellent summer camps for children interested in learning more about the environment.

Sabino Steamboat, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

See the Mystic Seaport and downtown Mystic from a different vantage point by taking a cruise down the Mystic River on this historic 1908 steamboat. This ship is considered a National Historic Landmark as it is one of the last operating coal-fired steamboats, making any cruise even more special for visitors. Scenic cruises are offered six days per week, weather permitting, with both afternoon and evening time slots available.

Spirit of the Sound, Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, CT

Run by the Maritime Aquarium, the Spirit of the Sound is a 64-foot-long catamaran that runs on electric power. Cruise along the Long Island Sound to learn about marine life or enjoy an evening sunset cruise. A variety of other cruising options are available including several history-focused tours that head to New London for Sailest.

Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT

After viewing the collections and learning about the history of the Connecticut River through the museum’s exhibits, sign up for a cruise along the Connecticut River. Enjoy unrivaled views of the river from aboard the Onrust, a replica of one of the earliest western-style ships built in America. The boat is a marvel in itself, so be sure to view snap a few photos while aboard! In addition to cruises offered five days per week in the summertime, winter cruises are also available for those who are willing to brave cold weather to see Bald Eagles. These winter cruises are operated by RiverQuest, the first cruising company listed in this article.

Argia Mystic, Mystic, CT

Hop aboard the 81-foot Argia schooner for a tour of the scenic Mystic River, from which you’ll enjoy views of downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport, and quaint lighthouses. If you want to get in on the action while aboard, you can help the crew with the sails. Tours are offered daily and run for approximately two hours. Senior citizen and child prices are also available, lowering the cost for family trips.

A post shared by Will Cruthers (@wcmacmillan) on Nov 22, 2015 at 12:43pm PST

Thimble Islands Cruise, Branford, CT

Learn about the history of the Thimble Islands with a 45-minute tour aboard the Sea Mist. Over the summer, public cruises depart numerous times per day, allowing a cruise to fit into your schedule no matter the duration of your stay in the area. In the Sea Mist, you’ll also cruise in comfort, as ample indoor and outdoor seating is available; a bar and bathroom are both available too.

Sheffield Island Cruise, Norwalk, CT

On a Sheffield Island Cruise, you’ll learn about the history of the island as well as the 150-year-old Sheffield Island Lighthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. And don’t forget to bring along your camera to take photographs of the beautiful Connecticut coastline and the lighthouse. Numerous cruise types are available from acoustic cruises with live music to romantic sunset cruises.

Mystic River Cruises, Mystic, CT

Coast along the Mystic River in a luxury speedboat to enjoy downtown Mystic and the Mystic River Bascule Bridge from a unique vantage point. Snap photos that will get hundreds of likes on Facebook and Instagram, particularly those taken during the sunset cruise. Breakfast and lunch cruises are also available, during which you’re provided a meal to be enjoyed while watching the scenic area float by.

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Fairfield County

• Greens Farms
• Hawleyville
• New Fairfield
• Old Greenwich
• Redding Center
• Redding Ridge
• West Redding

Hartford County

• Broad Brook
• Canton Center
• Collinsville
• East Berlin
• East Glastonbury
• East Granby
• East Hartford
• East Hartland
• East Windsor
• East Windsor Hill
• Glastonbury
• Marlborough
• New Britain
• North Canton
• North Granby
• Plantsville
• South Glastonbury
• South Windsor
• Southington
• Tariffville
• West Granby
• West Hartford
• West Hartland
• West Simsbury
• West Suffield
• Wethersfield
• Windsor Locks

Litchfield County

• Barkhamsted
• Bridgewater
• Cornwall Bridge
• East Canaan
• Falls Village
• Gaylordsville
• New Hartford
• New Milford
• New Preston Marble Dale
• Pine Meadow
• Washington Depot
• West Cornwall
• Winchester Center

Middlesex County

• Centerbrook
• East Haddam
• East Hampton
• Killingworth
• Middle Haddam
• Middlefield
• Old Saybrook

New Haven County

• Beacon Falls
• North Branford
• North Haven
• South Britain
• Wallingford

New London County

• Gales Ferry
• Jewett City
• Mashantucket
• North Franklin
• North Stonington
• North Westchester
• Quaker Hill
• West Mystic

Tolland County

• Mansfield Center
• Mansfield Depot
• Somersville
• South Willington
• Stafford Springs
• Staffordville
• Storrs Mansfield
• Vernon Rockville

Windham County

• Ballouville
• Central Village
• East Killingly
• East Woodstock
• Grosvenor Dale
• North Grosvenordale
• North Windham
• Pomfret Center
• South Windham
• South Woodstock
• Willimantic
• Woodstock Valley

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Connecticut River Cruise

& charter, llc.

Operating from:

Saint Clement's Castle & Marina

1931 portland cobalt road, portland, ct 06480, captain wheeler(860)559-6745.

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CONNECTICUT RIVER CRUISES

Fares are for the cruise described. Cruises may be tailored to your itinerary, budget and goals. The listed fares may change based on your customization. The fares are PER PASSENGER.

Passengers provide, towels, food, and beverage. Ipod/iphone/USB compatible stereo system is available. Air conditioning, refrigerator, coolers, two burner stove, grill, toaster oven, and microwave are available.

You are welcome to tour Blantyre when planning a cruise.

Captain Wheeler

Call to schedule your cruise and confirm booking.

A single $20.00 dock fee is added to all cruises. Card payments are processed using SQUARE: additional charge is 2.75% +$1.50.

Email: [email protected]

Cruises may change or cancel due to inclement weather, flooding, charters, and maintenance. Fares may change depending on fuel cost.

© Copyrighted, 2024, All rights reserved. Connecticut River Cruise & Charter, LLC

Oct – Fall Foliage Cruises

• You may bring your own individual food and drink, only small coolers that fit under your seat will be allowed.
• Bring your binoculars (there’s a lot to see!).

When the seasons change on the CT River, Fall becomes very colorful!  While cruising the river we will take in Mother Nature’s beauty from a unique vantage on the water.  We will see resident and migrating wildlife, historical sights and gorgeous views.  Bring along a lap snack and beverage if you would like.

All 90 minute Daytime Cruises, all ages: $30pp ($27 Museum Members)

All 2 hour Afternoon Sunset Cruises, all ages: $40pp ($36 Museum Members)

You must buy tickets online using our “BOOK NOW” button. Thank you.

2024 Dates:

October 1 – 30

Check the Calendar for Days and Times.

• These cruises DO SELL OUT. It is required to book online to secure your spot, if you need help please email us at [email protected]
• You are able to bring your own picnic basket or snacks and your favorite “beverage” to enjoy on this special cruise.  “Lap” food works best! We ask that you not share food.
• Please,  always call ahead to confirm the cruise is going or check our calendar for any changes!  Phone: 860-767-8269
• RiverQuest leaves the dock on time! Please check in at the dock at least fifteen minutes before departure.
• NO ON-LINE BOOKING FOR OVER TEN PERSONS.  Please  email us to discuss if you have more than 10.
• The Captain reserves the right to change the cruise itinerary or cancel a cruise anytime he feels that there may be a weather or safety issue.  We want to remind everyone that this is a nature cruise. The weather can change drastically in minutes. There are times when a cruise may be canceled very last minute. We will of course try to give as much notice as possible. Thank your for your understanding.

From Interstate 91, take Exit 22 (CT Route 9 South). Take CT Route 9 South (26 miles) to Exit 3 (Essex) and follow signs to Connecticut River Museum and Essex Historic Waterfront. The Connecticut River Museum at Steamboat Dock is located at the foot of Main Street on the Connecticut River.

From Interstate 95, take Exit 69 (CT Route 9 North). Take CT Route 9 North to Exit 3 (Essex) and follow signs to Connecticut River Museum and Essex Historic Waterfront. The Connecticut River Museum at Steamboat Dock is located at the foot of Main Street on the Connecticut River.

GPS – We have found that if you enter Connecticut River Museum, Essex CT rather than the address, it will bring you to the Museum. 41.3513382,-72.3859617

A great way to plan your trip!

The Valley Railroad Company

The Valley Railroad Company – operating the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat – has been serving the lower Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Our company’s mission is to keep alive the rich mechanical, industrial, and transportation heritage of our state through the continual operation of our vintage steam and diesel locomotives and passenger coaches, as well as the operation & maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure that support these. We welcome visitors from throughout the state of Connecticut, the New England region and all over the world to ride our railroad, relax aboard our riverboat and visit our unique facilities.

Calendar of Events

2024 Event Listings

Click below to purchase tickets:

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Excursions

Mommy & me tea, mothers day essex clipper dinner train, plan your visit.

Getting Here

If you have specific questions regarding Essex Steam Train events, offerings and operations, contact us today!

1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426

860-767-0103 or 800-377-3987, [email protected].

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2024 Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises on RiverQuest

February 9 @ 10:00 am - march 13 @ 2:00 pm.

Experience the beauty and solitude of the lower Connecticut River during this wonderful time of year! It is so different than it is any other time of the year. There are no other vessels on the water, and with no leaves on the trees, our wildlife viewing is easy and fun.

As the river, lakes and ponds to our north freeze, Eagles and others make their way to the lower CT River for their favorite food – FISH. Join us on this approximately 2 hour “on-the-water” cruise to search for eagles and other winter wildlife. In the past we have spotted up to a record 41 eagles, 3 types of grebes, fox, 3 types of swans, 3 types of mergansers, many different gulls, loons, golden eagle, coyote, deer, many hawk species, 3 types of seals, and even a bobcat. We will have Naturalists on board to narrate and make sure you don’t miss a thing!

RiverQuest has a heated cabin, but we suggest that you dress in warm layers since the best views will be from the open decks. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! …No binoculars? No worries, we have plenty on board for you to borrow! We will also provide complimentary coffee and tea.

Cruises start Friday February 9th continuing through March 13th. Book online now!

• 10:00am – 12:00pm
• 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Saturdays & Sundays:

• 9:00am – 11:00am
• 11:30am – 1:30pm
• 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Wednesdays, March 6th & 13th

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Related Events

RiverQuest Spring Foliage Sunset Cruise

Mother’s Day Cruises

RiverQuest – Selden Island Hike

PURCHASE TICKETS

67 Main Street Essex, CT 06426 860.767.8269 [email protected] DIRECTIONS

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After 20 Ocean Cruises, I Took My First River Cruise—Here Are 6 Ways It Was Better

I n 1995, when I was a freshman in college, my parents first introduced me to cruising. I absolutely loved waking up each morning on a new Caribbean island, and I thoroughly enjoyed the nonstop array of activities to keep me busy on our floating hotel. In my 30s, once I had a little disposable income, I was reintroduced to the world of cruise ships , and I fell in love with them all over again. Today, in my mid-40s, I write about cruising for a living and still completely adore itin fact, I recently completed my 20th ocean cruise.

But this year, I wanted to branch out. I had my sights set on scenic river cruising . It seemed so exclusive, so refined, so intimate, and everyone raves about their experiences. I had to know what I was missing. So my fianc and I booked a sailing for March 2024 called “Paris and the Heart of Normandy” on the Viking Radgrid , a round-trip river cruise from Paris that follows the iconic Seine river through Normandy villages, with stops that included Giverny (and the charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived) and the legendary D-Day beaches along the Normandy coast.

The impetus for this particular itinerary? This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during World War II, and I have a personal connection to itmy maternal grandfather was a Purple Heartawarded army medic in the 101st Airborne, who was wounded while attending to injured soldiers during the Normandy invasion.

As an avid ocean cruiser , I was excited about the opportunity to see this historic area through a river cruise. And despite my research ahead of time, I was still a bit surprised by some of the key differences between cruising the high seas vs. the river Seine. Most of them were actually preferable to ocean cruisingbut one wasn’t. Ahead, I’ve included everything you need to know about river cruises and the biggest differences you’ll find compared to ocean liners.

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What’s the difference between a river cruise and an ocean cruise?

Unlike ocean cruise ships, which travel the open seas, river cruises travel along inland waters. River cruises are typically much smaller, as the vessels need to navigate smaller waterways and ports, which means fewer cabins and passengers as well. Ocean cruises often carry thousands of passengers (compared to hundreds of passengers on river cruises), and because there can be days at sea, the amenities (gyms, water parks, casinos, dozens of restaurants, live entertainment, kids clubs, etc.) tend to be extravagant. The river cruise is often a means of travel, while the destinations are the stars of the show.

The pros of a river cruise

There are quite a few pros in my book! These are the ways I believe river cruises stand out, compared to ocean liners.

All-inclusive experiences

One of my biggest gripes about cruising is that I often feel nickled and dimed to death. Even with the best all-inclusive ocean cruises , the final bill at the end of the sailing is always higher than you think it’s going to bethe drinks, specialty restaurants, excursions and Wi-Fi access can really add up. With Viking, almost everything was included in my upfront river-cruise feeit was actually all-inclusive.

Every guest receives free Wi-Fi, which was a huge relief, since I was also working while I cruised. The connection was limited to two devices at any given time, but we didn’t find this to be an issue. However, the Wi-Fi connection was a bit spotty at times, especially when we went through the locks.

Beer, wine and soft drinks were included during lunch and dinner. Liquor and higher-end wines cost extra, but there was a package you could purchase to help defray costs (called the Silver Spirits Beverage Package, which was $350 per cabin for a seven-day sailing trip). Other items included specialty coffees (the hot chocolate was to die for), teas and bottled water; port taxes and fees; and ground transfers with a Viking Air purchase. And all of these upfront savings really made a difference on the back-end of my trip. Honestly, while Viking will never be considered one of the cheapest cruise lines , once you factor in the extras they include on the front end (ones you’d have to buy separately with other cruise lines), your total vacation costs may be more similar than you’d think.

Included excursions

Each sailing included one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call, and they were fabulous. Viking really goes out of its way to find the best local guides and takes you to both off-the-beaten-path sights and well-known landmarks. For instance, included in the package was a fantastic walking tour of Rouen and its impressive Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, a walking tour of Chateau Gaillard in Les Andelys and a tour of Napoleon’s Chateau de Malmaison just west of Paris. The all-inclusive cruise also included a full-day tour of the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy (including Omaha Beach, a four-mile stretch where two-thirds of the seaborne troops from the U.S. landed on D-Day), as well as visits to both the Caen Memorial Museum and Normandy American Cemetery, where Viking held a touching memorial service for all passengers.

I ended up paying extra for two non-included tours I couldn’t pass up (the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum) and felt those prices were aligned with any other cruise line.

Ideal docking

The Viking longships were purpose-built to navigate the Seine river, which means they can dock at exclusive locations that are super convenient to the sights you want to see. For instance, this cruise began in Paris, and we were docked a mere 20-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. In fact, that’s the first thing I did after boarding the Radgrid , which allowed me to check off my biggest bucket-list item immediately!

Compared to docking at massive ports in the Caribbean, docking along the Seine was intimatein towns along the way, we did so right in front of impressive castles, chateaus and cathedrals. Sometimes, we’d just hop off the boat and walk into town on our own, thankful that we didn’t need to coordinate public transportation or walk for miles. This also came in handy if we wanted to enjoy a meal in town or do some shopping on our own time.

Compare that to many ocean cruises, where you’re often docked an hour or two away from a major cityas is the case with Rome and Bangkok, for example. That makes your already short time in port even tighter and can negatively impact your ability to see and do as much as you’d like.

Fewer passengers (and more intimate settings)

With only 168 guests in total, you will quickly become acquainted with them allthere are very few public spaces to hang out, and you’ll see guests time and again in the restaurant and on your tours. If you consider yourself less social or are a couple looking for romantic cruise dinners, you might find this off-putting, as you’ll rarely have the opportunity to dine alonein fact, all tables have eight or more seats (and you often find yourself repeating your life story to new passengers at every meal).

But we found it to be rather fun, getting to know a variety of people from around the world, each with interesting travel stories to share. Remembering all their names was the hardest part!

Bustling views

Because you’re on a river, there’s always a great view from the sun deck or your balcony. Most of the cabins have a balcony, except for the 22 standard staterooms, which have a half-height picture window. Compare that to staring off into endless miles of (beautiful) open ocean on an ocean cruise. While I do love the feeling of being “out to sea” and feeling small while bobbing on a seemingly never-ending body of water, there’s a lot more action on a river.

At times, we were passing through large, bustling cities along the Seine, and other times, meandering marsh-like areas. We moved under countless bridges, past woods and fields, and through the Norman countryside. The views kept changing hourly, and I felt like I was part of the scene. Several times, we passed so close to other boats that I could have literally stretched my arm out and touched them.

Smooth sailing

Most people are surprised to learn that I’m prone to seasickness, especially since I choose to take multiple cruises a year. While I clearly never let it deter me, I was incredibly pleased to note that there’s no jarring movement on a riverboat whatsoever. In fact, there were multiple times I didn’t even realize we had left the dock and were moving! It’ll be a huge relief not to have to add my seasickness wristband, Dramamine or prescription patch to my cruise packing list next time.

The con of a river cruise

Compared to an ocean cruise, there were, of course, some things I knew I wouldn’t find on board, including a casino, gym, spa, laundry room, swimming pool, waterslides, theater productions, photographers taking cheesy pictures of me, and children (all passengers must be 18 and over), and that was fine by me. In fact, I greatly appreciated the simplicity of the ship. It isn’t a destination or filled with amusement parklike amenities; it’s a means of transportation, and it serves its purpose well. But there was one thing in particular that I missed: food variety.

Lack of food options

One thing that got bit stale to me halfway through the cruise was not having any choice of restaurants or barsthere is only one of each on board. You’ll eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner in “The Restaurant” and get your drinks in “The Lounge & Bar.” You could choose to sit in the Aquavit Terrace, an indoor-outdoor area at the front of the ship perfect for al fresco dining when the weather cooperates, but our weather was pretty cold and wet during my late-March sailing, so we didn’t get to make much use of it. (I’m guessing this is fantastic in the summer!) And it’s the same menu as the Restaurant, so you’re only getting a different view, not different food.

I’m a total foodie, and I really crave a variety of cuisines and menus. I love the myriad choices you have on ocean ships, from culinary-focused cruises to the over-the-top 40 restaurant and bar venues on a mega ship like my cruise on the Icon of the Seas . Plus, I love hanging out in bars with different vibes depending on my mood.

While Viking did a nice job of providing well-rounded menus, incorporating some local French dishes and delivering tasty food, I yearned for a change of scenery and flavor profile. I look forward to my next Viking cruise, but I’d make more of an effort to eat off the ship whenever possible to help break up the monotony of mealtimes.

It’s all about the journey

I finally understand the magic of river cruising. It’s a wonderfully peaceful way to travel, you learn your way around the small ship in an hour (vs. several days on the big ships), you’re encouraged to interact with other guests, you get access to more intimate experiences and lesser-visited places, and there’s no surprise bill at the end, thanks to the all-inclusive model. I’ll still enjoy ocean cruises regularly, but I also look forward to exploring the Rhine, Danube and maybe even the Yangtze in the future.

Why trust us

At Readers Digest , were committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this story on river cruises, Jill Schildhouse tapped her experience as a cruise expert and longtime travel writer and relayed her recent experience on a Viking river cruise. We also rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions , verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team , our contributors and our editorial policies .

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The post After 20 Ocean Cruises, I Took My First River Cruise—Here Are 6 Ways It Was Better appeared first on Reader's Digest .

Connecticut News | On the horizon: A new Connecticut River…

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Connecticut news | uconn fraternity president accused of assaulting new member during initiation hazing, connecticut news, subscriber only, connecticut news | on the horizon: a new connecticut river crossing for walkers and cyclists.

Contractors have completed the roughly 1.4-mile paved trail, and the state transportation department expects to open it in mid-May.

“People are going to enjoy it. There probably won’t be a deluge of people going to either town, but I think it will surprise some people how often it gets used,” said Kevin T. Sullivan, co-founder of Bike Walk Wethersfield , a prominent advocacy group for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project took two years and has spurred planners in both towns to look for ways to link established cycling routes to what is being called the Putnam Bridge Trail.

Walkers and cyclists will be able to go from Great Meadow Road in Wethersfield to Naubuc Avenue in Glastonbury.

The Putnam carries about 55,000 cars and trucks each day, but until now non-motorized traffic had to take an 8-mile trip to the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford to cross the river. Alternatives to the south required an even greater detour: 26 miles to the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown and back, or else 11 miles to the seasonal Glastonbury-Rocky Hill ferry.

The plan is for trail connections on the east side of the river to reach the Goodwin College trails in East Hartford, while on the west side Wethersfield planners are putting together a temporary route to Main Street in Old Wethersfield.

Eventually the town plans a permanent, dedicated trail for that, and Wethersfield officials are meeting in May to give a public update about progress.

Sullivan said recreational riders can do 10- or 15-mile rides using connector routes from the bridge trail, but said he anticipates that most of the use will be from people traveling locally.

“I’ve heard from quite a few people regionally who are excited about it, but I don’t know if they’re planning to ride it or they’re just happy to have more trail connections,” he said Thursday. “My personal bet is that more people will be using it for everyday transportation.”

Wethersfield resident Joseph Sica, who was out riding near the oil tanks along the river recently, said he’s looking forward to the bridge route opening. But he questioned whether there will be enough routes to connect with after getting to the other side.

“Sometimes I do 10 miles a day. I like going over a bridge, so I’ll definitely go over to the other side. But there really aren’t many places to go over there, so maybe I’ll just turn around and come back,” Sica said.

With the trail work done, the state department of transportation is now turning its attention to a makeover for the bridge itself.

In a presentation earlier this month, DOT planners said they anticipate launching a major rehabilitation project in the spring 2026 that will run through the end of 2027.

The bridge is 64 years old and is suffering corrosion that needs to be addressed, the DOT said. The plan is to replace any deficient structural elements and make repairs to extend its life by 20 to 25 years.

The Putnam isn’t at risk right now, but overall gets just a five rating — “fair” — on a scale of one (imminent failure) to nine (excellent), according to Tracey Brais, a DOT project manager, and Ron Sacchi, project manager for the GM2 consulting firm.

“There appears to be some seepage through the deck that’s starting to produce corrosion,” Sacchi said.

Workers will replace expansion joints, patch the deck, strengthen steel support elements, strip the asphalt off the bridge deck and repave the roadway, the DOT said.

The four-lane bridge will be repaired in stages, with one lane in each direction kept open and most lane closures limited to nights and weekends, the DOT said.

“When we’re doing top of the deck repairs, we’ll probably have to close one lane in each direction,” Sacchi said. “If more lane closures are required it might involve a weekend closure that would involve a detour over the Charter Oak Bridge. At this point, we are not expecting any long-term closures or long-term detours.”

Federal grants will pay 80% of the cost, with Connecticut covering the other 20%. Brais said planners are still evaluating the cost, which could vary from a base of $31.4 million to slightly more than double that if the entire bridge undergoes repainting.

The cost of removing the bridge’s existing lead paint makes up most of the difference, largely because contractors would need to use a containment system to prevent contamination from falling paint chips.

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Cruise ships return to New London and Old Saybrook this week

American cruise lines ships will be making port in both new london and old saybrook multiple times this summer season beginning this week., by dave peck • published may 7, 2024 • updated on may 7, 2024 at 5:20 pm.

“When people come into New London, they go by the many lighthouses and they see, if they’re lucky, a submarine, all the ferries. It is a very interesting port,” Susan Tamulevich, executive director of the New London Maritime Society, said.

For the next six months, the Thames River will have even more life as it welcomes cruise ships into New London’s port.

“American Cruise Lines is planning on having I think six to eight ships this season and we’re really looking forward to it,” New London Mayor Michael Passero said.

The trip will take passengers between Boston and New York, stopping in some of New England’s most historic seaports.

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“New London has an amazing maritime history all the way from the days of whaling when it was the second leading whaling port in the world,” Tamulevich said.

Tamulevich said the cruise ship provides the perfect audience to showcase their trove of artifacts from the city’s most iconic sites.

“They love to talk about New London and tell these stories and for them, it’s like a special holiday to have a cruise ship come in,” she said.

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Just down the street, Muddy Waters Café is also looking forward to the energy the cruise lines could bring this season.

“The more people, the merrier it is so we’re excited about the cruise ship and we’re excited to have them here. We’re excited to meet people from all over the place,” owner David Preka said.

This will be Muddy Water’s first summer season since recovering from a fire last August .

“We’re expecting to see a lot of people downtown. Downtown is revamping,” he said.

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I-95 in connecticut reopens after flaming crash left it closed for days.

Associated Press

This aerial view looking south shows demolition crews working to finish removing the Fairfield Avenue bridge over Interstate 95, Saturday, May 4, 2024 in Norwalk, Conn. Crews are expected to finish removing the bridge by Sunday morning, and road repairs will be made. The tanker truck burst into flames under the overpass after colliding with two other vehicles Thursday. The cause remains under investigation. (Kevin Coughlin / All Island Aerial via AP)

NORWALK, Conn. – Interstate 95 in Connecticut reopened Sunday after a flaming crash involving a gasoline tanker scorched a bridge and left the roadway closed for days, officials said.

Authorities shut the highway down in both directions after a three-vehicle crash Thursday involving a gasoline tanker, which burst into flames and damaged an overpass above I-95 in Norwalk. No one was seriously injured.

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Workers began demolishing the bridge on Friday and worked to repave damaged parts of the roadway in time for rush hour on Monday.

“It is truly remarkable to complete this work in less than 80 hours,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Sunday on the social platform X.

The interstate serves as a major link between New England and New York. The closure left drivers jampacked bumper to bumper on some of the detour routes.

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