Wright-Pierce’s annual calendar series highlights the projects featured in our yearly calendar. We begin the 2026 calendar series with the Codfish Hill Road Culvert Replacement Project.
Project Background
Over the decades, the Codfish Hill Road Culvert in Bethel, Connecticut, began experiencing signs of wear and deterioration that caused structural concerns, resulting in the need for continual maintenance on the field stone headwalls. To address these concerns, the Town hired Wright-Pierce to conduct structural evaluations, base mapping, and detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for design solutions intended to completely replace this section of the roadway and culvert while meeting current Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) standards.
Project Team Services
Paired with specialized subconsultants and in conjunction with local officials, Wright-Pierce’s project team performed structural and geotechnical evaluations, wetlands delineation, and detailed survey base mapping to determine appropriate existing conditions for this design effort. Additionally, the project team—led by Regional Group Leader Tom Hogan—provided roadway design, permitting, and construction administration services to support the full replacement of the culvert through project closeout.
Wright-Pierce completed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for various storm durations and intensities projected for future rainfall events. The roughly 230‑acre watershed that drains to the culvert was modeled for the basis of design. Using current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) modeling tools along with CTDOT design standards, the proposed geometry was evaluated to ensure the new structure can handle future precipitation while managing flood risks effectively. These evaluations informed the selection and sizing of a 5‑by‑7‑foot precast concrete box culvert with precast concrete headwalls and enhanced streambed protection to meet the Connecticut General Permits Stream Crossing Best Management Practices. The design also incorporated timber guardrails, full-depth pavement, curbing, and stormwater infrastructure area inlets along the low points of roadway.
About The Photo
The original culvert had exceeded its life expectancy, was undersized, and had shown evidence of structural failure. The damaged infrastructure posed risks to residents and abutting properties alike, but the new culvert presents a portrait of resiliency. Resident Project Representative Ben Steffen captured the photo of the completed culvert design. When asked about the photo, Ben noted that, “I went to the culvert location twice—once in the late summer, and once in the early spring. The photo selected was from the early spring visit, and I think the culvert visibility is what makes it stand out. The stamped concrete wingwalls and reinforced timber guardrail present a rustic appearance that highlights the design engineers’ care for both form and function. It’s a piece of infrastructure that a homeowner doesn’t object to seeing from their front porch.”
Project Impact
The completed structure provides a more resilient and hydraulically capable crossing on Codfish Hill Road. By replacing deteriorated materials and modernizing the culvert’s hydraulics, the Town now has a system designed to withstand higher flow conditions, reduce flooding risk, and improve roadway safety. The project delivers long‑term infrastructure improvements with updated structural components and better protects the surrounding watershed.
Contact us to learn more about the project and how we can provide similar services to your community or if you’d like a copy of Wright-Pierce’s 2026 wall calendar.