This week, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Portland) and State Representative Christie Carpino (R-Portland) wrote a letter to Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti regarding the inspection company awarded the contract to handle construction and inspection services on the Arrigoni Bridge in Portland. More than $40 million of reconstruction and renovation work is scheduled for the bridge, but Sen. Needleman and Rep. Carpino questioned the past work record of the Florida company chosen for the work.
On June 19, the Department of Transportation selected FIGG Bridge Inspection of Florida to perform services as the Arrigoni Bridge, spanning between Middletown and Portland, will receive upcoming repairs with cost estimates of more than $40 million. This came just one week after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Directorate of Construction reported FIGG Bridge Inspection was responsible for a significant number of failures in the Florida International University pedestrian bridge project. When that bridge failed on March 15, 2018 and collapsed onto a roadway below, it caused six deaths and eight additional injuries.
“Based on the company’s past safety record, we have some serious concerns about FIGG Bridge Inspection performing these improvements,” wrote Sen. Needleman and Rep. Carpino. “In light of the announcement that the DOT hired FIGG Bridge Inspection, there have been many concerns that have been raised in our district that question this decision.”
The full text of the legislators’ letter can be found below:
July 9, 2019
Commissioner Joseph Giulietti
Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06111
Dear Commissioner Giulietti,
We have recently been made aware that the State Department of Transportation selected FIGG Bridge Inspection of Florida to handle construction and inspection services on the Arrigoni Bridge in Portland, Connecticut.
Based on the company’s past safety record, we have some serious concerns about FIGG Bridge Inspection performing these improvements.
In light of the announcement that the DOT hired FIGG Bridge Inspection, there have been many concerns that have been raised in our district that question this decision.
Please help us better understand if this is the right choice of contractor and how we can ensure the safety of our constituents and other residents of Connecticut. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any other questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Norm Needleman
State Senator, 33rd District
Christie Carpino
State Representative, 32nd District