We need to demonstrate that Governor Malloy’s $100 billion transportation proposal is a priority and it has strong support. Plus, the stronger the showing we make on the lockbox, the less likely the legislators are to divert or cut transportation funding when dealing with the budget deficits.
I hope that you and others from your organization can join us to make a strong showing this morning.
Noisy but necessary sewer construction to begin soon
The town is in the process of introducing more than 400 households to a $10 million project that is expected to cause noise and traffic disturbances in their neighborhoods beginning this summer.
The next phase of the Metropolitan District Commission’s mandated Clean Water Project will make necessary upgrades to the sewer system and water mains around the intersection of Cedar Street and Willard Avenue.
MDC representatives updated the Town Council on the latest project developments at its meeting Tuesday night, alongside Town Engineer Chris Greenlaw and Police Chief Stephen Clark.
While it will pose a disruption, officials said, the project will prove to be worth it to neighboring homeowners.
"They know that for a limited amount of time they’re going to be inconvenienced by the project, but when it’s over they know that they’re going to have a sewer system that works properly," Assistant District Counsel for the MDC Chris Stone said.
Residents who attended a public information session on the project in early February were receptive to this fact since many currently face basement back-ups that would be fixed, he pointed out.
"They understand the burden but they truly appreciate the benefit," Stone added.
While the brunt of construction would occur during the daytime, night work is planned during August through September. Work is expected to begin in June and continue through December before shutting down for the winter and resuming again in April 2017. The estimated completion date is December 2017.
A more detailed work schedule will be presented to residents as soon as MDC hires a contractor. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Hinchey: Route 82 overhaul plan is needed
Hinchey: Route 82 overhaul plan is needed
NORWICH — Mayor Deb Hinchey plans to ask the Republican-led City Council to support a proposed $42 million overhaul of Route 82 that would include the installation of six roundabouts.“I think it’s an important project. I’m very much for it. If you look at the statistics and crashes over there, it’s a problem. And I think it will help beautify the area. It’s not the most attractive as a gateway,” Hinchey told The Bulletin’s editorial board Thursday.Hinchey expects to introduce the resolution in March.Along with possible traffic adjustments, Hinchey, a Democrat, said the region’s public transportation system could end a practice of allowing users to flag down buses anywhere along a route.That’s in line with the finding of an October Southeast Area Transit Authority study that recommended an end to flag stops.“Many riders find the flag stop system confusing, and SEAT drivers have indicated that flag stops slow service and affect on-time performance,” the study says. “Discontinuing the flag stop system should improve the efficiency of service.”Taken together, Hinchey said, the changes would make travel much more efficient and safer – but public opinion is mixed.“It doesn’t feel safe here. I’m not an architect, but they need to do something. It’s just kind of scary sometimes because the traffic is so close,” Norwich resident Jerome Richardson said at a SEAT bus stop in front of Shop Rite on Thursday. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
NEWINGTON — Acting Town Manager Tanya Lane said Thursday that the town could afford to borrow up to $82 million to fund much-needed building projects.
An outside firm arrived at that figure — equivalent to 72 percent of this year's $113.5 million town budget — after Lane asked it to assess the town's debt capacity, she said. Lane made her remarks at the chamber of commerce's annual State of the Town event.
"This is just an example to show that Newington can afford, if [voters] choose, to take on building projects for town hall, the library, Anna Reynolds School and Churchill Park," Lane said.
Mayor Roy Zartarian said that he would review Lane's suggestion.
"Definitely, it's worth exploring," Zartarian said. "It'll get us off the dead center we've been on with a couple of projects."
Lane's proposal comes as the town faces an estimated bill of more than $60 million for four major building projects:•A new or renovated town and community center, at least $30 million.
•Churchill Park renovations, $19 million.
•Renovations and upgrades to Lucy Robbins Welles Library, at least $10 million.
•Renovations to Anna Reynolds School, which officials have yet to put a price tag on. . CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Engineers Envision Capping I-84 As Alternative To Tunnel Through Hartford
HARTFORD — Prospects for replacing the aging I-84 viaduct with a tunnel or a modern elevated highway are fading, but engineers have a new idea: Building a highway slightly below grade level and then covering it.
The new structure could cost up to $6.3 billion, but would provide most of the benefits of a tunnel at roughly half the price, they said.
Either way, the state Department of Transportation expects by mid-May to choose a plan for replacing the half-century-old viaduct that cuts through Hartford.
The state hasn't determined how it would pay for the project, but transportation department engineers warn that the viaduct running from Flatbush Avenue almost to Exit 51 is deteriorating and getting costlier to maintain every year.No matter which design the DOT uses, replacing the busiest stretch of highway in the state is expected to take years and create traffic detours and delays. Residents envision it as a way to revitalize whole sections of the city, while truck drivers and many commuters are focused on traveling — into, out of or just through the city — as quickly as possible.