NEW BRITAIN — Those affected by traffic at the intersection of Burritt and West Main streets can expect delays to continue into 2017. The bridge project, which began in 2015, will continue until March 2017 if everything remains on schedule.
The contractor working on the job, New England Infrastructure, has implemented a one-way traffic pattern on West Main Street at the bridge, blocking off the Burritt Street intersection.
This alternative traffic pattern has brought frustration to at least one business owner in the area.
Bob Story, owner of Story Bros. Inc., said the construction has negatively affected business, especially when it comes to selling gasoline.
“The gas business is almost nil now,” Story said.
Story Bros. Inc. is located at 84 Burritt St., north of the construction area on West Main Street. Story added that his company’s used cars sales are also suffering. With the West Main and Burritt streets intersection blocked off, traffic only flows past Story’s business in one direction.
“They’re trying to put me out of business, but I won’t let them,” Story said.
According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the project aims to fix the problems that carries West Main Street over the Pan Am Southern railroad line. is doing the work to extend the life of the bridge, which is over 85 years old
“Rehabilitation is one step short of a complete replacement,” according to Kevin Nursick, director of communications of the DOT, who said the repair of the bridge can be compared to that of a car.
“When you buy a new car, you’ll eventually have to get an oil change, a 30,000 mile checkup, small things like that. But eventually, when the car gets older, you’ll need to do some bigger repairs on the vehicle. That’s pretty much where we’re at. The bridge needs bigger repairs rather than just small maintenance fixes,” Nursick said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Project reset looms for 101-111 Pearl sites
A pair of vacant downtown office buildings appear a step closer to being redeveloped into apartments.
New York developer Jeff Ravetz confirmed Thursday that his group is eyeing buildings at 101 and 111 Pearl St. into 255 living units. Most, he said, will likely be smaller sized units, to cater to young professionals or older, "empty-nesters'' eager to downsize to cozier quarters.
Ravetz declined comment on published reports on the project's scope and pricetag citing concerns about derailing it and referred questions to the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA).
CRDA Executive Director Michael Freimuth said Thursday the agency's housing committee has already reviewed and approved the group's $49.9 million project proposal, which includes a petition for CRDA financial assistance. The full CRDA board was scheduled to deliberate the petition later at its Thursday meeting.
For 11-story 101 Pearl, the applicants propose to create 154 apartments -- 143 studio and 11 one-bedroom units -- for $28.4 million, financed using a combination of $15.6 million in private financing and equity, plus a $9.2 million CRDA loan; and another $3.6 million in brownfield remediation funding.
At seven-story 111 Pearl, the applicants envisions creating 101 units (74 studio, 21 one-bedroom, six two-bed units) at a cost of $21.5 million: $10.1 million in bank financing and equity; a $6 million CRDA loan; $2.8 million in historic tax credits; and $2.5 million in brownfield-remediation grants.
Ravetz and partners and CRDA previously teamed in redevelopment of the former Sonesta/Clarion Hotel, at 5 Constitution Plaza downtown, into The Spectra Boutique Apartments. The 190-unit Spectra is fully leased, and is preparing to open a café in some of its retail space, Ravetz said.
Hartford developer Martin Kenny is part of an investment group that currently has title to both Pearl Street properties. Kenny said Thursday that both buildings are under contract for sale, but no closing is imminent. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
While the governor weighs bringing a major makeover of the XL Center to the legislature for funding, the Capital Region Development Authority Thursday night voted to pursue a $250 million renovation and expansion of the aging arena."We just felt it was our responsibility to put forth plans, be proactive, as opposed to reactive about what happens there," said Andy F. Bessette, a Travelers executive and the authority's vice chairman. "Unless we get the funding, we can't do anything."
Physical changes could make the XL Center more competitive with newer arenas and with promoters of concerts and other events, potentially increasing profits for both the promoters and the XL Center. Competitive pressures are intensifying not only from the state's two casinos but the prospect of the casino and entertainment complex under construction in nearby Springfield.
Michael W. Freimuth, the authority's executive director, told board members that an analysis in the past week shows a transformed arena is projected to turn a $2.1 million annual profit. The arena has traditionally been a money-loser, with the state having to make up the difference, typically about $3 million a year.
The project's costs would be spread out over several fiscal years. Even so, if the renovation and expansion — including the addition of a second concourse — is proposed by Malloy, it is sure to face a battle in the coming legislative session.
There is a growing resistance to using bonds — essentially the state's credit card — for big-ticket projects when funding is being cut to social service programs, road improvements and school construction. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Part Of Park Avenue In Bloomfield To Close For Emergency Road Repairs
Part of Route 178, known locally as Park Avenue, will be closed for emergency road repairs beginning Monday.
The road, including a railroad crossing, will be closed at Prospect Street and Crestview Drive.
Because the rapidly deteriorating condition of the existing culvert pipes, trucks and other commercial vehicles have already been detoured from the affected area of Park Avenue.
Only passenger vehicles are being allowed to use affected road through the weekend, town officials said.
Off-road construction activities to the affected roadway are expected to continue through December and motorists may experience delays, DOT officials said.
Wolcott to use state grant for road project
WOLCOTT – One of the town’s main arteries will be rebuilt over the summer.
The town plans to use a $3 million state grant to reconstruct Todd Road, which connects Meriden Road and Woodtick Road.
The town is going out to bid to hire a contractor for the project. Although the grant comes from the Department of Transportation, the town will oversee the work.
The project involves grinding, regrading and paving about 2 miles of roadway. Also, sections of the road with poor visibility will be widened, drainage basins will be installed and the bridge near Frisbie Circle will be rebuilt.
In some places, we’re widening it a little bit so there’s a better sight line when you come out of streets or driveways,” Mayor Thomas G. Dunn said.
The town has already selected a contractor, Stadiums Engineering, to design the new bridge for $48,000.
The town may use the same contractor for the road and bridge projects, or it might hire two separate contractors, Dunn said.
It’s likely that Todd Road will be closed for at least part of the project, Dunn said. Also, while the bridge is being replaced, vehicles might not be able to use Todd Road at the Woodtick Road intersection.
While Todd Road is closed, motorists will use Route 322 as a detour to travel between Meriden Road and Woodtick Road.
The town hopes to begin the project in June, after school gets out, to avoid issues with busing students to and from Tyrell Middle School and Frisbie Elementary School.
Dunn said he’s not going to guess when the project will be finished.
Earlier Thursday, a source familiar with the deliberations over what should be included in the state's proposed capital budget said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is "definitely considering" bringing the project to the legislature.
Last month, Malloy said he supported renovations to the 41-year-old arena, but stopped short of saying he would bring the project to the legislature in the coming legislative session.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, an authority board member, said adopting the plan was vital to keeping the venue competitive in the years to come.
"The XL Center is a vital sports and entertainment venue for Connecticut and for the capital region and it's hugely important to the health of the city's downtown," Bronin said after Thursday's vote.Physical changes could make the XL Center more competitive with newer arenas and with promoters of concerts and other events, potentially increasing profits for both the promoters and the XL Center. Competitive pressures are intensifying not only from the state's two casinos but the prospect of the casino and entertainment complex under construction in nearby Springfield.
Michael W. Freimuth, the authority's executive director, told board members that an analysis in the past week shows a transformed arena is projected to turn a $2.1 million annual profit. The arena has traditionally been a money-loser, with the state having to make up the difference, typically about $3 million a year.
The project's costs would be spread out over several fiscal years. Even so, if the renovation and expansion — including the addition of a second concourse — is proposed by Malloy, it is sure to face a battle in the coming legislative session.
There is a growing resistance to using bonds — essentially the state's credit card — for big-ticket projects when funding is being cut to social service programs, road improvements and school construction. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Part Of Park Avenue In Bloomfield To Close For Emergency Road Repairs
Part of Route 178, known locally as Park Avenue, will be closed for emergency road repairs beginning Monday.
The road, including a railroad crossing, will be closed at Prospect Street and Crestview Drive.
According to the state Department of Transportation, the closure is necessary for the emergency replacement of the culverts that carry Filley Brook under the road.
If there are no construction delays, the road is expected to reopen by Dec. 17, according to DOT officials.
Non-local traffic will be rerouted to Bloomfield Avenue, Cottage Grove Road and Tyler Street.
Locally, westbound traffic will be directed on to Crestview Drive, and eastbound traffic will be directed onto Prospect Street, according to town officials.Because the rapidly deteriorating condition of the existing culvert pipes, trucks and other commercial vehicles have already been detoured from the affected area of Park Avenue.
Only passenger vehicles are being allowed to use affected road through the weekend, town officials said.
Off-road construction activities to the affected roadway are expected to continue through December and motorists may experience delays, DOT officials said.
Wolcott to use state grant for road project
WOLCOTT – One of the town’s main arteries will be rebuilt over the summer.
The town plans to use a $3 million state grant to reconstruct Todd Road, which connects Meriden Road and Woodtick Road.
The town is going out to bid to hire a contractor for the project. Although the grant comes from the Department of Transportation, the town will oversee the work.
The project involves grinding, regrading and paving about 2 miles of roadway. Also, sections of the road with poor visibility will be widened, drainage basins will be installed and the bridge near Frisbie Circle will be rebuilt.
In some places, we’re widening it a little bit so there’s a better sight line when you come out of streets or driveways,” Mayor Thomas G. Dunn said.
The town has already selected a contractor, Stadiums Engineering, to design the new bridge for $48,000.
The town may use the same contractor for the road and bridge projects, or it might hire two separate contractors, Dunn said.
It’s likely that Todd Road will be closed for at least part of the project, Dunn said. Also, while the bridge is being replaced, vehicles might not be able to use Todd Road at the Woodtick Road intersection.
While Todd Road is closed, motorists will use Route 322 as a detour to travel between Meriden Road and Woodtick Road.
The town hopes to begin the project in June, after school gets out, to avoid issues with busing students to and from Tyrell Middle School and Frisbie Elementary School.
Dunn said he’s not going to guess when the project will be finished.