CT Construction Digest July 22, 2014

Himes calls for end to bridge-repair money squabbles

NORWALK -- Standing in front of one of the state's most structurally deficient bridges, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes said Monday that Congress must move beyond short-term fixes to find revenue for trillions of dollars in transportation repairs and upgrades nationwide.
"This nation's infrastructure is far too important to get caught up in the squabbling between Democrats and Republicans, or state, federal or municipal offices, or any other squabbling," Himes said. "This is not a partisan issue."  Himes joined Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, other elected officials, and construction labor groups in front of the Yankee Doodle Bridge in Norwalk to tout new funding mechanisms, including leveraging private investment to pay for highway, bridge and rail repairs. The bridge, which carries Interstate 95 over the Norwalk River, is slated for $15 million in repairs to the steel superstructure starting in 2017. The bridge was originally built in 1958.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $10.8 billion package last week to prevent the National Highway Trust Fund from becoming insolvent next month, but the Senate has yet to approve it. The stop-gap measure would keep thousands of projects moving until next May.
Rilling said losing that funding would be a serious blow.  "If you look at the bridge behind me, it is the fourth-worst bridge in Connecticut," Rilling said. "A stop in the highway trust fund that would delay the construction of this bridge would certainly be a cause of concern for all people who travel on Interstate 95 in Norwalk."  CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Doubts about mall plan

BRISTOL — There’s a growing sense among some city officials that the nearly five-year quest to create a new urban neighborhood on the former mall site downtown is going to fall short.

At a recent meeting of a special committee created to find a location for a synthetic-turf athletic field, for example, talk turned to the possibility of putting the field on the 15 vacant acres in the city center.
“Ideally, it would make sense” to put a playing field there, said Paul Tonon, a Board of Finance member. The problem, he said, is that developer Renaissance Downtowns “has this illusion that somebody will put up this fabulous complex” on the parcel. Renaissance has won conceptual approval for a $280 million project it calls Depot Square that aims to create a walkable, vibrant urban project that includes shops, restaurants, offices and housing. The developer is trying to come up with a solid financial plan to begin the first phase of the multiyear project with a building near or on Main Street that would consist mostly of market-rate apartments targeted at young professionals and empty nesters. It is looking for taxpayers to help with $6 million or more toward the bottom line in order to kick start the work. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

State receives Wallingford ZBA approval to acquire land for rail line expansion

WALLINGFORD — The state Department of Transportation is looking to acquire a small parcel on Old Colony Road to install signaling equipment for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter railway. Steve Deegan, a property agent for the DOT, was before the Zoning Board of Appeals Monday for a variance that would allow the state to acquire a 222-square-foot parcel at 1258 Old Colony Road. The 23,958-square-foot property has been owned by Kevin Lohmann for the past 15 years, and includes a house. A variance is necessary because zoning regulations require parcels with a minimum of 30,000 square feet in the area. The non-conforming property has been grandfathered in because the residence was built in 1940, prior to the town adopting zoning regulations. A variance allows the property’s square footage to be further reduced. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Spring Rd bridge coming late August

First Selectman Michael J. Freda announced that the Town of North Haven, due to reconstruction improvements, will be preparing for full closure of the Spring Road Bridge over the Muddy River in late August. The Spring Road Bridge is located between Potter and Mill Roads and will be closed to accommodate reconstruction efforts. A bid opening was held at the Town’s Department of Finance for the reconstruction of the Spring Road Bridge on March 26, 2014. Dewberry Engineers of New Haven worked closely with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to secure the necessary permits and design approvals related to the project. The project was awarded to Nagy Brothers Construction of Monroe for $393,507, which is less than the original estimated price of $600,000. Materials have been ordered and construction is expected to commence during the week of August 25, 2014. The bridge will remain shut down for up to four months duration. Total reimbursable costs by the DOT will be approximately 30%. The Office of the First Selectman and Department of Public Works apologize in advance for any inconveniences that will result from construction efforts. The options to repair the superstructure were carefully weighed and the final decision has been concluded to be the best option for the Town after considering the welfare of the residents, time to complete project, viable cost options, and quality of reconstruction. In preparation for closure, North Haven school buses will be re-routed and appropriate detours and signage will be provided. After a short discussion, the board unanimously approved the variance. If the variance wasn’t approved, the state would be forced to pursue an easement or potentially use eminent domain, Deegan said.  CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Plainville anticipates grant for athletic field

PLAINVILLE — The high school will get an artificial turf athletic field if the state approves a $950,000 grant on Friday. The $950,000 grant is on the agenda of the State Bond Commission, which will meet at 10 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to consider numerous bonding requests. School Superintendent Jeffrey Kitching said Monday the artificial turf field will provide a safer playing surface for athletes and lessen the chance of concussions. The new surface will also allow the fields to be used by more local teams. "Our current field is in good condition because we limit usage," Kitching said. "Having an artificial turf field will aloow us to have more groups use the field because it will hold up better than grass." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Time-lapse video of I-84 bridge replacement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SAAMx0W-7S8

A time-lapse video released by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office Monday shows the massive $6 million bridge replacement project on I-84 in Southington last month. The project was completed the weekend of June 28 to June 29 using a process known as accelerated bridge construction, where the new bridge is built on-site next to the old one and swapped into place once it is complete.The highway was shut down in both directions for the weekend while the work took place but state Department of Transportation officials said it was better than the alternative of months of continued lane closures and construction. “This project not only demonstrates the unprecedented investments we are making to improve and modernize our transportation infrastructure but also the steps we are taking to ensure these kinds of projects are completed ahead of schedule and with as little interruption as possible to area residents and travelers,” Malloy said in a statement. “By employing ABC principles, CTDOT took a creative approach to virtually eliminate what would have been many months or even years of traffic disruptions and congestion on I-84 and the local roads surrounding the project.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Portions of Clark St close in preparation of courthouse construction

TORRINGTON >> A portion of Clark Street is being discontinued as the city gears up for construction on the Litchfield County Courthouse complex.  The City Council voted in favor of discontinuing a portion of Clark Street between Field and Clinton streets during a roll call vote at Monday evening’s meeting. Talk of discounting that portion of the street in preparation of construction emerged in January; similar votes had been tabled during council meetings on March 3 and March 17. The decision arrives at an opportune time: Mayor Elinor Carbone confirmed Monday that a groundbreaking date for the courthouse project is set for Aug. 12, though she cautioned the date is subject to change. She said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman is expected to attend the ceremony.  Jeffery Beckham, spokesperson for the state’s Department of Administrative Services, said he couldn’t confirm the date of the groundbreaking last week, which the Register Citizen learned of through a document obtained Friday.  Carbone said the city had tabled a vote to discontinue the street twice in March as it awaited more information about the state’s plans, specifically in regards to how they would handle the catch basins and storm water lines in the areas. The site’s footprint extends from the parking lot on Field Street, across the discontinued Clark Street portion, into a lot that once housed a 40,000-square-foot building that was demolished this month and will serve as parking space for the complex. The courthouse complex itself will rest atop the existing parking lot on Field Street.  CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

O&G Ind retirees remember days on the job

TORRINGTON More than 160 retirees of O&G Industries demonstrated their pride for their former longtime employer by attending a reunion at Elk's Pond on Guerdat Road. One of them was James A. Savanella, 83, who now splits his time living in Harwinton and Arizona. He said he worked for O&G for 41 years performing an assortment of jobs before retiring 18 years ago as an assistant vice president. Savanella, a former Harwinton selectman, said he gave up his own grating and landscaping business in his early 20s when O&G asked him to work for it after the Flood of '55. There was plenty of work as many roads and bridges needed to be rebuilt. Savanella said he liked the work as well as his co-workers and bosses. He also enjoyed experiencing the growth of the company from road construction to building construction. "They got a passion," he said of the family-run business. "They used to know everybody and they were always there when you needed them. They weren't afraid to get in there and work and you got to respect that."
At age 74 and after 52 years of employment, Tony Damiano of Thomaston is still working for O&G. His son, Joey, has been working for O&G since 1978; his son-in-law, Steve Walker, since the mid-1980s; and his grandson, Daniel, for the last 12 or 13 years. His father also worked there as a mason.
So why have they worked for O&G for so long? "They have a lot of respect for their people," Damiano said. "They treat everybody decently. I think it's what the founders instilled into their offspring, starting with Andrew." O&G was founded in 1923 by Andrew Onegila and Flaviano Gervasini. They started with two trucks and a steamroller, according to a written history compiled by the company. As O&G began to build more roads, it developed a network of quarries, concrete and asphalt plants throughout Connecticut and New York. The first quarry opened in Woodbury in the 1930s and O&G now has more than a dozen. In 1960, O&G completed its first building project. Today, the company has overseen the construction of hundreds of schools, high-rise office buildings, industrial projects, health care facilities, sports complexes, environmental projects and power plants.
The third generation of Oneglias run the company now, with the fourth generation taking key leadership roles. The idea behind the reunion belongs to Barbara Buys, whose husband, Billy, worked for O&G for 40 years. She said they were at a wake in December for a former O&G employee and she noted how many of the attendees who were also retired O&G employees were enjoying talking with one another, despite the sad occasion. So she suggested the company hold a reunion while many of the retirees are still alive and can truly enjoy each other's company. One of the organizers, Tracy McKeon of Torrington, worked for O&G for 30 years, and her husband, Gene, for 50. She said co-workers became like family because of the loyalty people held for their employer.
"Back in the day, people worked the same job for their whole career," McKeon said. "Today, five years is a long time." O&G Vice Chairman Raymond R. Oneglia, part of the third generation, thanked both past and present employees for their "dedication, expertise and hard work."
The company, headquartered at 122 Wall St., employs more than 900 people and generates $500
million in volume per year.     

$15M for Waterbury

HARTFORD — The State Bond Commission is poised to approve $15 million to finance economic development, housing and school improvement projects in Waterbury. Some of the financing will go for projects that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy highlighted during a visit to the city earlier this month.
The bond commission is expected to approve $5.2 million to fund the initiation of the so-called Waterbury Downtown Next program. The Malloy administration has committed to providing an additional $7 million in funding in the future. The $5.2 million will support the redevelopment of the Howland Hughes building, infrastructure improvements, the acquisition and cleanup of the abandoned Anamet property on Washington Avenue, the demolition of the dilapidated Prospect Street garage, and the purchase and repurposing of the historic Rose Hill campus on Prospect Street.
The commission is also set to approve $5.2 million to assist Omni Warner Gardens Limited Partnership fund the first phase of a project to develop new rental housing at 154 Warner St.
Warner Gardens is a housing cooperative in the Long Hill section of the city that developers proposed to demolish and rebuild. The first phase will consist of the construction of 58 rent-restricted units, including 12 dedicated to supportive housing. The commission's agenda includes $2,896,825 for the Carroll Partners-Waterbury Limited Partnership for rehabilitating the Carroll Apartments at 44 Willow St. Carroll Apartments is a historic, vacant, five-story, 35-unit apartment building at 44 Willow St. As proposed, the project will provide 35 units for renters at 25 percent to 100 percent of the median income for the area. Additionally, the commission is scheduled to approve $736,372 to fund the next phase of the rehabilitation of the Brookside housing complex. The panel previously released nearly $3.3 million in funding for the project.