Governor Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday design of a new Walk Railroad Bridge in Norwalk is progressing and remains on schedule.
“I’ve promised to replace this bridge, and we’re on track to doing just that,” Malloy said.
“The design of a replacement is progressing as fast as possible and the Department of Transportation is coordinating with all the project stakeholders – an enormous effort for a project as complicated as this one,” Malloy said.
The bridge, built in 1896, opens and closes to allow marine traffic to travel underneath. The bridge recently failed several times, backing up Metro-North trains and delaying commuters. Construction on an entirely new bridge is expected to begin in 2016 and be completed in 2020.
“For decades, there was no action on this bridge,” Malloy said during a press conference at the bridge.
The new Walk Bridge will be “state-of-the-art” and feature twin bascule bridges which will enhance the safety and reliability of commuter and intercity passenger rail service as well as the reliability for many waterway users.
Transportation finance panel talks of tolls
HARTFORD -- A state panel charged with finding ways to fund Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's $100 billion transportation improvement plan is already discussing new taxes and highway tolls.
Ben Barnes, secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management, told the Governor's Transportation Finance Panel during its first meeting Tuesday that revenue sources available to fund road, bridge and rail upgrades include tolls, raising taxes, selling bonds, user fees and liquidating state assets.
"No question: They have the potential to raise hundreds of millions of dollars," Barnes said of electronic tolls.
Finance panel Chairman Cameron Staples, president of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and a former state legislator, said he plans to schedule a meeting devoted to highway tolls and to invite lawmakers and others to offer opinions.
Tolls have already generated considerable opposition among Fairfield County lawmakers, especially in Danbury and other border communities.
Another option, Barnes said, is automated traffic enforcement, a high-tech system in which electronic devices take pictures of motor vehicle violations and mail tickets to the registered owner.
"Connecticut does not seem to like it, but it's out there," he said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Route 196/66 safety meeting slated in East Hampton
EAST HAMPTON >> State Rep. Melissa Ziobron will provide an update for residents Thursday on the Route 196/66 reconstruction program. The informational forum will be held in the community room of the East Hampton Library beginning at 7 p.m. The state Department of Transportation is revising the intersection in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and increase traffic flow and thus safety. Preliminary work on the project began last year Ziobron said she worked with the DOT to establish the forum as part of “an effort to keep the community informed regarding construction plans and schedules.” “I truly appreciate (DOT’s) willingness to provide information to out residents” about the road project, Ziobron said. The $2.296 million project involves reconstructing the roadway at the intersection as well as installing new drainage structures. The project also involves elimination of the traffic island at the intersection of the two roads and the installation of a new traffic signal, according to information on the town’s website at http://bit.ly/1DIyvMN. Ziobron was previously involved with a bridge replacement project in East Haddam that has helped guide her thinking about Thursday evening’s forum. “I think what I learned in East Haddam is when people don’t know what’s going on, that’s bad public policy,” she said Monday night. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Southington Council approves new $9.2M senior center
SOUTHINGTON — A new senior center, with an estimated $9.2 million cost, will probably be considered at fall referendum.
A new senior center is planned for town land near the current Calendar House facility, which opened in 1969 in a 1913 farmhouse. It's been expanded over the years, but is no longer adequate for the large number of residents who want to take part in the center's activities.
The $9.2 million proposal is the least expensive of four options prepared by a Hartford consulting firm. More expensive options were prepared that were as expensive as $14 million. The proposals ranged from a larger new facility on the Calendar House property, a renovation and expansion of the current facility and construction of a new center elsewhere.
The $9.2 million proposal for a new facility at the existing site won unanimous approval Monday from the town council. The plans will now be reviewed by the planning commission and finance board. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE