Middlefield bridge project on schedule
MIDDLEFIELD >> State transportation officials said Tuesday that they’re pleased with the ongoing construction of a new bridge along Route 147 between Cherry Hill Road and Lyman Road.
Kevin Nursick, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said the $1.7 million bridge, which extends over the Coginchaug River, will be expanded with the addition of two 12-foot travel lanes and two four-foot shoulders in both directions. Since construction began on the bridge in May, one side of the bridge is nearing completion. Nursick said the plan is to open that side once it’s finished before beginning construction on the other side. Temporary signals will be placed at each end to alternate the traffic flow.“They’re not running into any problems,” said Nursick of the road construction crew. Town officials were concerned over the summer that construction, said to be three months behind schedule, would cause traffic problems for guests attending the Durham Fair in September. But state officials developed a plan for state troopers to direct one-way traffic south into town during the event. State police Sgt. Sal Calvo said afterward that the plan went well and without incident.The bridge is scheduled for completion by April 2015, but Nursick said that plan could change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Mohegan loses bid for casino in Palmer
PALMER, Mass. — Voters narrowly defeated Mohegan Sun's $1 billion casino proposal on Tuesday, at least for the moment leaving the MGM Resorts International plan for downtown Springfield as the sole survivor in a contest to operate a casino in western Massachusetts.Complete unofficial results from the town clerk's office shortly after 9 p.m. showed the proposal losing by 93 votes, 2,657 to 2,564.The Mohegans said afterward that there were "very troubling" technical problems with one voting machine and that they were asking for a hand count of ballots.It was not immediately clear if there would be one. The 5,221 vote total meant that 66 percent of the town's 8,412 registered voters filled out ballots.At Mohegan Sun headquarters in town, the tone was somber. Mitchell Etess, CEO of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, addressed supporters from a podium."We are obviously disappointed in today's outcome as it currently stands. Our supporters and volunteers have worked tirelessly for our vision of bringing real economic development to Palmer. The results from today's vote are extremely close — less than 100 votes. And the incredibly strong turnout is indicative of how engaged people on both sides of the issue have become," he said in a transcript released by the tribe.