NORWALK -- Standing before the failure-prone Norwalk River rail bridge, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state, local and federal lawmakers touted a plan Thursday morning to fully fund and replace the 118-year-old span that halted New Haven Line service twice this summer by 2020.
"This money has not come easily," U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, said. "There is a vehement, voracious demand for money for transportation, and we have put Connecticut at the forefront." The state Department of Transportation is expected to choose a contractor and complete design of the estimated $465 million bridge by 2016, allowing work to start by 2017.
Between 2016 and 2018, the state will allocate $146 million of its federal transportation funds and provide $36.5 million in state funds. Last month, the state received a $161 million federal storm resiliency grant toward replacing the bridge, which, along with $68 million in bonds, will cover the cost of the replacement and associated costs. "There is a complete construction plan and funding schedule put in place for this project," Malloy said. "When it is done, it will be funded by 34 percent state funds and 66 percent federal funds. Of that I am proud." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
East Main Street bridge work more significant then expected
MERIDEN — The East Main Street bridge over Interstate 91 will be left unpaved for up to three weeks, longer than originally expected, because additional repairs are needed.
Bridges running over highways throughout the city were recently milled in anticipation of being resurfaced. It’s the city’s responsibility to maintain the surfaces of the bridges, while the state Department of Transportation maintains the structure. The scope of road work being performed on the East Main Street bridge, however, is more significant than initially expected, Associate City Engineer Howard Weissberg said. During a meeting with state Department of Transportation officials Wednesday, city officials learned the DOT is performing a “fairly significant repair project on the bridge” that will cost the state about $700,000, Weissberg said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Developers appeal Stonnington's zonning boards rejection of Mystic's Color Lab site plan
Mystic - The developers of the former Mystic Color Lab site have appealed the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission's denial of its application to modify its approval to build 55 luxury condominiums. The town was served with the appeal by Edgewood Mac LLC of Southport on Thursday. Edgewood Mac can develop 55 condominiums on the site under terms of an approval obtained by the property's previous owner. But it was seeking approval of modifications which it said would make the project more attractive, marketable and a better fit with the character of Mystic. The commission unanimously rejected the application last month. A group of neighbors had opposed the Lighthouse Landing plan during the public hearing. Commission members cited the size and mass of the plan as well as their desire to maintain the character of the mill as reasons for their opposition.
The buildings in the rejected proposal were 49 feet tall, 1 foot lower than the already approved plan. The gross floor area also would have been reduced from 177,373 square feet to 162,482 square feet. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Development plan proposed for 60 acre parcel in Simsbury
IMSBURY — A development proposal that could bring 181 residences along with stores and businesses to a mostly unused 60-acre parcel on Route 10 that is adjacent to the Avon town line is being reviewed by town officials. The plan under consideration is where the River Oaks development that included a big-box retail store was proposed several years ago. The River Oaks proposal never went forward and Town Planner Hiram Peck said this one is much less dense. "People felt the River Oaks plan was too dense for the site and it required extensive modifications to Route 10," Peck said. "This new plan is about half the square footage and it does not need any significant changes to Route 10." Peck said the new plan has been approved by the town's planning and conservation commissions. The next step is the zoning commission, which will hold a hearing on the proposal on Monday. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Aged rail bridge becomes exhibit in the politics of transportation
That proverb seems to apply when it comes to efforts to replace the 118-year-old Walk Bridge in Norwalk, a busy railroad swing bridge that was stuck in the open position twice this year, blocking the busy Metro North commuter line to New York City. On Thursday, Gov. Dannel Malloy held a press conference at the bridge, along with Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chris Murphy, and Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, to announce state plans to augment a $161 million federal grant so the Walk Bridge can be replaced. Problems with the Walk Bridge and transportation in general are prominent issues in this year’s political campaigns. Himes, in particular, represents a district, Fairfield County, which has arguably the worst traffic jams in the state, and has suffered from a series of Metro-North mishaps. The entire Connecticut congressional delegation lobbied the U.S. Department of Transportation for money to replace the bridge from an emergency relief fund established by Congress to respond to Hurricane Sandy. But it was the Malloy administration, more specifically the Connecticut Department of Transportation, that applied for the money. Murphy tweeted Thursday that it was “a huge win for @GovMalloyOffice.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Developers appeal Stonnington's zonning boards rejection of Mystic's Color Lab site plan
Mystic - The developers of the former Mystic Color Lab site have appealed the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission's denial of its application to modify its approval to build 55 luxury condominiums. The town was served with the appeal by Edgewood Mac LLC of Southport on Thursday. Edgewood Mac can develop 55 condominiums on the site under terms of an approval obtained by the property's previous owner. But it was seeking approval of modifications which it said would make the project more attractive, marketable and a better fit with the character of Mystic. The commission unanimously rejected the application last month. A group of neighbors had opposed the Lighthouse Landing plan during the public hearing. Commission members cited the size and mass of the plan as well as their desire to maintain the character of the mill as reasons for their opposition.
The buildings in the rejected proposal were 49 feet tall, 1 foot lower than the already approved plan. The gross floor area also would have been reduced from 177,373 square feet to 162,482 square feet. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Development plan proposed for 60 acre parcel in Simsbury
IMSBURY — A development proposal that could bring 181 residences along with stores and businesses to a mostly unused 60-acre parcel on Route 10 that is adjacent to the Avon town line is being reviewed by town officials. The plan under consideration is where the River Oaks development that included a big-box retail store was proposed several years ago. The River Oaks proposal never went forward and Town Planner Hiram Peck said this one is much less dense. "People felt the River Oaks plan was too dense for the site and it required extensive modifications to Route 10," Peck said. "This new plan is about half the square footage and it does not need any significant changes to Route 10." Peck said the new plan has been approved by the town's planning and conservation commissions. The next step is the zoning commission, which will hold a hearing on the proposal on Monday. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Aged rail bridge becomes exhibit in the politics of transportation
That proverb seems to apply when it comes to efforts to replace the 118-year-old Walk Bridge in Norwalk, a busy railroad swing bridge that was stuck in the open position twice this year, blocking the busy Metro North commuter line to New York City. On Thursday, Gov. Dannel Malloy held a press conference at the bridge, along with Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chris Murphy, and Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, to announce state plans to augment a $161 million federal grant so the Walk Bridge can be replaced. Problems with the Walk Bridge and transportation in general are prominent issues in this year’s political campaigns. Himes, in particular, represents a district, Fairfield County, which has arguably the worst traffic jams in the state, and has suffered from a series of Metro-North mishaps. The entire Connecticut congressional delegation lobbied the U.S. Department of Transportation for money to replace the bridge from an emergency relief fund established by Congress to respond to Hurricane Sandy. But it was the Malloy administration, more specifically the Connecticut Department of Transportation, that applied for the money. Murphy tweeted Thursday that it was “a huge win for @GovMalloyOffice.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE