STAMFORD — A busy off-ramp on Interstate 95 and at least two city roads will be closed this weekend for construction of a new bridge over Atlantic Street, the state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
The exit 8 northbound off-ramp as well as parts of South State and Atlantic streets will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday.
Traffic will be detoured around the construction area.
South State Street will be closed between Guernsey Avenue and Canal Street, and Atlantic Street will be closed between North State and Dock streets.
The project, which began in February 2016, will improve the lane configuration along South State Street and provide “a more efficient traffic flow” for vehicles getting off I-95, the DOT said in a news release
The $33.8 million state project is expected to be complete by June 2018. However, the work will require temporary off-ramp lane reductions.
The closures aim to expedite the work involved in lowering the intersection of Atlantic and South State streets in anticipation of steel construction for the new off-ramp bridge, according to the DOT. The “intermediate roadway lowering” is required for the minimum vertical clearance for truck traffic, the department said.
Report: I-84 expansion among nation’s biggest boondoggles
A plan to widen I-84 in the Danbury area is one of the most wasteful highway expansion projects in the U.S., according to a report by a consumer public interest group.
The state Department of Transportation plans to rebuild a heavily congested eight-mile stretch of I-84 between Exits 3 and 8 in Danbury to “improve safety, increase capacity, and improve operations and access to the highway.” Construction is expected to start by 2022 and continue for several years.
But the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group Education Fund calls the project an “outright boondoggle.”
The group’s report says the proposed widening “directs state funds to a road where traffic has barely increased in the last decade, even amid growing demand for better rail service and severe state budget woes.”
“With more than half of the state’s public roads in poor condition, it’s high time the state of Connecticut reassess its priorities when it comes to big highway projects, or we’ll never truly solve our transportation issues,” said Kate Cohen, state director at the ConnPIRG, in a release announcing the study. “Prioritizing the I-84 expansion in Danbury at the expense of transit and rail improvements that would move people off the road is irresponsible.” Mayor Mark Boughton disagreed, saying that congestion on that stretch of highway is worsening.
“I remember walking across the highway with my father years ago and there were no cars going by, and now that area is continually bottlenecked with traffic,” he said. “It’s a real problem.”
Boughton said the interest group’s suggestion to direct the money to railway improvements instead of highway expansion isn’t feasible. Improving railways is important, he added, but would cost more and help fewer people than a highway project.
Steven Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, agreed that railway improvements are not an achievable goal in the current economic climate. Until a full mass-transit makeover is possible, he said, I-84 relief is necessary.
”The facts are that the highway is over capacity, and it’s about time Danbury gets its share, because we’ve been lobbying for this,” Bull said.
He added that the realignment of entrance and exit ramps and the widening of the road will not only reduce congestion but also increase safety in an area prone to accidents.
Kevin Nursick, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the DOT is committed to improving both mass transportation—buses and trains—and roadways. The department has invested over $3.5 billion in mass transportation over the last 10 years, he said.
”That speaks volumes to our commitment to providing multi-modal transportation options to the public,” Nursick said. “At the same time, we cannot ignore the need to initiate projects to mitigate bottlenecks and congestion points on our roadways that are slowing economic growth and opportunities for the state.”
He added that there are “obvious painful deficiencies” with the highway system that need to be addressed. The Danbury stretch of 84, which sees over 36 million vehicles a year, is an example of a roadway the state relies on for the transportation of goods and services, he said.
”We believe it is patently obvious to the tens of millions of motorists that improvements are needed there,” he said.
Bull questioned the report’s credibility, saying the authors don’t fully understand problems in the Danbury area. CLICK TITLE TO CONTIINUE
New Canaan paving project takes detour
NEW CANAAN — Three New Canaan roads originally slated for repaving will have to wait a little longer.
The Board of Selectmen approved on Tuesday a request to amend a paving contract for $661,413 with F.G.B. Construction that would have resulted in the repaving of 237,952 square feet of road along Springwater Lane, Adams Lane and Hillcrest Road.
Instead, 231,686 square feet of road in several stretches along Ponus Ridge — including the road from Trinity Pass to Lost District, from Dans Highway to Clearview Lane, and from Bartling Road to Frogtown Road — as well White Birch Road will be repaved. Plans to repave the original set of roads were delayed because in earlier talks with Eversource about bringing natural gas to New Canaan, the energy provided those roads as its preferred route for a pipeline. Rather than paving roads that might soon be torn up, town officials deferred.
“We had held off on doing these sets of roads — Adams, Springwater and Hillcrest — for quite a long time while we had been originally been discussing with Eversource, or Yankee Gas at the time, because this had been one of their proposed routes,” explained Director of Public Works Tiger Mann.
That round of talks, however, failed to bring natural gas to town. But, discussions with Eversource have begun anew, and First Selectman Robert Mallozzi III said that in private conversations, Eversource has expressed a desire to bring natural gas to New Canaan along the same route by August 2018, further delaying the paving of the three roads.
Instead, Mann said he worked to develop a similar paving plan elsewhere in town with the contractor.
“We tried to find a set of roads that would actually kind of mirror that,” Mann said.
The amendment to the paving project will be welcome news for residents on Ponus Ridge and White Birch Road, but Selectman Nick Williams acknowledged that the patience of those living along the proposed natural gas route may be wearing thin.
“If I’m a resident of Springwater or Adams or Hillcreast, the natural question is… what are we thinking about timing? Because these folks have waited once before, and now they’re going to be asked to wait once again,” Williams said.
“That was one of our big concerns, you want to see progress in terms of bringing a natural resource, or a renewable natural resource into town,” Mallozzi said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow for those folks.”
“I think as a town we have to look at the greater benefit that might be attainable and I’m hoping they’ll be patient.”
Paving is scheduled to begin within a few weeks, officials say.
Steer clear of I-84, Route 72 interchange during construction
NEW BRITAIN - Traffic is expected to be disrupted through October as the state Department of Transportation enters its second season of bridge rehabilitation at the Interstate 84 and Route 72 interchange.
Boughton said the interest group’s suggestion to direct the money to railway improvements instead of highway expansion isn’t feasible. Improving railways is important, he added, but would cost more and help fewer people than a highway project.
Steven Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, agreed that railway improvements are not an achievable goal in the current economic climate. Until a full mass-transit makeover is possible, he said, I-84 relief is necessary.
”The facts are that the highway is over capacity, and it’s about time Danbury gets its share, because we’ve been lobbying for this,” Bull said.
He added that the realignment of entrance and exit ramps and the widening of the road will not only reduce congestion but also increase safety in an area prone to accidents.
Kevin Nursick, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the DOT is committed to improving both mass transportation—buses and trains—and roadways. The department has invested over $3.5 billion in mass transportation over the last 10 years, he said.
”That speaks volumes to our commitment to providing multi-modal transportation options to the public,” Nursick said. “At the same time, we cannot ignore the need to initiate projects to mitigate bottlenecks and congestion points on our roadways that are slowing economic growth and opportunities for the state.”
He added that there are “obvious painful deficiencies” with the highway system that need to be addressed. The Danbury stretch of 84, which sees over 36 million vehicles a year, is an example of a roadway the state relies on for the transportation of goods and services, he said.
”We believe it is patently obvious to the tens of millions of motorists that improvements are needed there,” he said.
Bull questioned the report’s credibility, saying the authors don’t fully understand problems in the Danbury area. CLICK TITLE TO CONTIINUE
New Canaan paving project takes detour
NEW CANAAN — Three New Canaan roads originally slated for repaving will have to wait a little longer.
The Board of Selectmen approved on Tuesday a request to amend a paving contract for $661,413 with F.G.B. Construction that would have resulted in the repaving of 237,952 square feet of road along Springwater Lane, Adams Lane and Hillcrest Road.
Instead, 231,686 square feet of road in several stretches along Ponus Ridge — including the road from Trinity Pass to Lost District, from Dans Highway to Clearview Lane, and from Bartling Road to Frogtown Road — as well White Birch Road will be repaved. Plans to repave the original set of roads were delayed because in earlier talks with Eversource about bringing natural gas to New Canaan, the energy provided those roads as its preferred route for a pipeline. Rather than paving roads that might soon be torn up, town officials deferred.
“We had held off on doing these sets of roads — Adams, Springwater and Hillcrest — for quite a long time while we had been originally been discussing with Eversource, or Yankee Gas at the time, because this had been one of their proposed routes,” explained Director of Public Works Tiger Mann.
That round of talks, however, failed to bring natural gas to town. But, discussions with Eversource have begun anew, and First Selectman Robert Mallozzi III said that in private conversations, Eversource has expressed a desire to bring natural gas to New Canaan along the same route by August 2018, further delaying the paving of the three roads.
Instead, Mann said he worked to develop a similar paving plan elsewhere in town with the contractor.
“We tried to find a set of roads that would actually kind of mirror that,” Mann said.
The amendment to the paving project will be welcome news for residents on Ponus Ridge and White Birch Road, but Selectman Nick Williams acknowledged that the patience of those living along the proposed natural gas route may be wearing thin.
“If I’m a resident of Springwater or Adams or Hillcreast, the natural question is… what are we thinking about timing? Because these folks have waited once before, and now they’re going to be asked to wait once again,” Williams said.
“That was one of our big concerns, you want to see progress in terms of bringing a natural resource, or a renewable natural resource into town,” Mallozzi said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow for those folks.”
“I think as a town we have to look at the greater benefit that might be attainable and I’m hoping they’ll be patient.”
Paving is scheduled to begin within a few weeks, officials say.
Steer clear of I-84, Route 72 interchange during construction
NEW BRITAIN - Traffic is expected to be disrupted through October as the state Department of Transportation enters its second season of bridge rehabilitation at the Interstate 84 and Route 72 interchange.
According to the DOT, crews are attending to various issues from basic deterioration to the poor shape of steel girders. The overall scope of the rehab on the five bridges comprises patching of the deck, applying a new bituminous overlay, repairing the steel superstructure members and patching the substructure as necessary. Superstructure rehabilitation consists of steel repairs by installing plates and cleaning and painting the beam ends and bearing devices.
Two of the bridges are located in Plainville, the other three in New Britain.
The project began in February 2016 where West Main Street in New Britain becomes New Britain Avenue in Plainville. Drivers in the area have faced traffic hiccups as the work continues, but most of the inconveniences have occurred above, on Interstate 84 and Route 72. Temporary lane shifts and closures are expected as work progresses through the spring of 2018.
According to the DOT, the Slater Road on-ramp leading to westbound I-84 will be closed through Oct. 28. Detour signs in place redirect traffic to access the highway via Fienemann Road in Farmington.
Scheduled lane closures include east- and westbound I-84, Monday through Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Thursday and Friday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. and Sunday from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. Ramps and turning roadways will face disruptions from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Lane closures on the east- and westbound lanes of Route 72 are scheduled for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Sunday; on Route 372 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
The DOT said all other roadways affected by the construction will include lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Manafort Brothers of Plainville was awarded the $15.7 million project last year. Each bridge rehab is funded through state and federal money.
Clintonville Commons gets state funding
Preston – Town and tribal leaders signed copies of the newly approved Property Disposition and Development Agreement during a public signing ceremony Wednesday at the former Norwich Hospital property, one day after voters approved selling the property to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority.
Preston voters overwhelmingly approved the 150-page agreement Tuesday, 813 to 137, and the Preston Redevelopment Agency minutes later endorsed the Mohegans' $200 to $600 million plan to transform the abandoned Norwich Hospital into a sports, entertainment and recreational resort over the next several years.
Mohegan Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown, also chairman of the MTGA management board, referred to the Mohegan “trail of life,” and said the agreement harkens back to an agreement 400 years ago, when Sachem Uncas granted land on the east bank of the Thames River to Jonathan Brewster for a trading post to benefit both tribe and settlers. Brown said the tribe is proud to be part of the three-way agreement with the state and town.
“We are equally proud as a tribe to be back on this side of the river,” Brown said.
Brown, First Selectman Robert Congdon and PRA Chairman Sean Nugent signed the documents while about 60 people watched. Nugent held up one copy and said his signing represented "17 people from the town of Preston who gave time, energy and support to this project,” referring to members of the volunteer redevelopment agency that oversees the property cleanup, marketing and development negotiations.
Malloy said the Norwich Hospital development, along with the proposed U.S. Coast Guard Museum in New London, freight rail and Port of New London upgrades and the ramped up hiring at Electric Boat, “all point to a greater economic future for this part of Connecticut.”
Brown said the project will have “multiple finish lines,” the first being Tuesday's referendum results and Wednesday's official launch. Prior to the signing ceremony, tribal officials gave a tour of the 388-acre property to a prospective developer and planned to meet the developer for lunch afterward.
“That's all I'm going to say about that,” he said.
The conceptual plan unveiled by the tribe in January and outlined in the 150-page PDDA described numerous specific targeted developments throughout the property. A 100,000-square-foot outdoor theme park with indoor attractions and a 90,000-square-foot indoor water park with outdoor attractions and a 100-room luxury hotel are planned on the east side of Route 12. A 135,000-square-foot sports complex with a 100-room hotel and a 100,000-square-foot sports retail store also are shown on the east side of Route 12.
A marina with approximately 50 boat slips is planned on the Thames River directly across from the Mohegan Sun Casino. A public riverfront park is planned, along with 100 time-share residential units and a 220,000-square-foot senior housing complex overlooking the river. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Wal-Mart drops plans to construct ‘supercenter’ in Manchester
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has shelved plans to build a 152,430-square-foot "supercenter" on Spencer Street in Manchester, town officials said this week.
Director of Planning Gary Anderson said the retailer notified the town last week that it is no longer planning to build a new facility at 205 Spencer St., which the company had said would have employed about 300 workers.
Wal-Mart is working with a local real-estate agent to sell the property, he said.
The multinational retailer purchased space on Spencer Street from Gateway Lauren Inc. for $9.8 million in November 2015, according to the assessor's office.
The decision corresponds with Wal-Mart's nationwide plan to spur online sales, according to Anderson.
"This is a reflection of a national decision, not regional," the planner said.
Wal-Mart's withdrawal is disappointing, Anderson said, adding that the town was looking forward to new jobs and economic growth the supercenter would have brought to Manchester.
Still, he said the town is moving forward working with real-estate agents to find another occupant.
"We are hopeful that, over time, we can attract a developer that is even better than what was proposed recently," Anderson said.
The nixed plan comes months after Wal-Mart officials in October assured the Journal Inquirer the approved Spencer Street site would not fall victim the retailer's plan to open fewer stores and grow online sales.
The Spencer Street facility, which originally had been scheduled to open in 2014, would have been Wal-Mart's second supercenter in Manchester. Wal-Mart's existing store is at 420 Buckland Hills Drive.
In September, Wal-Mart agreed to buy out Jet.com for $3 billion to increase internet-based purchasing.
Phillip Keene, Wal-Mart's director of cooperate communications, wrote in a statement a long review had culminated with the "difficult decision not to move forward" with the Spencer Street project.
"We look forward to continuing to serve our local customers at our Buckland Hills Drive store and online at walmart.com," Keene wrote.
In January 2013, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to approve Wal-Mart's Spencer Street outlet despite concerns the supercenter would affect traffic. The retailer needed the commission's approval because the proposed site had 1,000 parking spaces and exceeds 4 acres.
The new facility would have been 37,000 square feet larger than the Kmart store that formerly occupied that site. It was demolished in 2012.
Wal-Mart first filed an application to redevelop the former Kmart store in August 2012 CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Painkiller Addiction Endangers Workers and Jobsites
Sometimes when things go wrong for construction workers, they go very, very wrong. A worker wrenches his back when he awkwardly picks up a length of rebar, or tears ligaments when he trips and falls from the operator's platform of a hydraulic excavator, and turns to oxycodone or some other prescribed painkiller to find relief and keep working.
Unfortunately, when the injury heals and the pain goes away, the compulsion to continue to mask everyday stress remains strong. From such circumstances is an opioid addict created.
Indeed, insurance industry research has determined that the construction industry has the country's highest rate of opioid addiction. The implications of such an epidemic are several. It begins with the negative impact on the life of the individual, extends through co-workers becoming vulnerable to dangers from impaired worksite behavior, and ends with a company's financial loss from unproductive employees and higher insurance costs.
The opioid crisis is just one facet of substance abuse in the building industry, of course, and is impacting many other workplaces. Even so, the combination of heavy machinery and a blue-collar workforce has turned the industry into ground zero in the battle to throw back the threat.
What can an employer do? To say the least, it is difficult for management to modify the behavior of substance abusers, whether the abuse is of a prescribed drug or an illicitly obtained one. Both physical and psychological dependence are involved. Diagnosis and treatment are problematic because human beings are capable of both rational and irrational behavior.
Prevention starts with educating employees about being victimized by an opioid. In addition, supervisors and middle-managers must be better trained to discern aberrant behaviors associated with opioid use, and management must provide suitable medical intervention when addiction is either recognized or anticipated. Educate. Monitor. Act.
Abuse of opioids and other substances is just one of several workforce dilemmas facing the industry in the 21st century. However, unlike the others, this problem is not about attracting more people into the industry. This is about helping those already on the job.
Two of the bridges are located in Plainville, the other three in New Britain.
The project began in February 2016 where West Main Street in New Britain becomes New Britain Avenue in Plainville. Drivers in the area have faced traffic hiccups as the work continues, but most of the inconveniences have occurred above, on Interstate 84 and Route 72. Temporary lane shifts and closures are expected as work progresses through the spring of 2018.
According to the DOT, the Slater Road on-ramp leading to westbound I-84 will be closed through Oct. 28. Detour signs in place redirect traffic to access the highway via Fienemann Road in Farmington.
Scheduled lane closures include east- and westbound I-84, Monday through Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Thursday and Friday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. and Sunday from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. Ramps and turning roadways will face disruptions from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Lane closures on the east- and westbound lanes of Route 72 are scheduled for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Sunday; on Route 372 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
The DOT said all other roadways affected by the construction will include lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Manafort Brothers of Plainville was awarded the $15.7 million project last year. Each bridge rehab is funded through state and federal money.
Clintonville Commons gets state funding
The application of the North Haven Opportunity for Affordable Housing for Clintonville Commons denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission in 2014 and reversed by a state judge in a 2016 8-30g case, received $3.2 million in state funding from the Department of Housing last week. Now, the original project will proceed – eight units of affordable two- and three-bedroom rental apartments that will be constructed at 518 Clintonville Road.
Lorraine Martin, treasurer of NHOAH, the nonprofit launched in 1993 with the aim of finding affordable housing in town, said the Clintonville Commons project was beset with a number of delays, from the initial rejection by P&Z to the 11 months before the 8-30 case was heard. Then, the first application for Competitive Housing Assistance for Multifamily Properties (CHAMP) funding was rejected.
Speaking about the decision from last week, Martin said the $3.2 million “is basically our construction budget. We already own the land, and it covers the whole cost of the project.”
Daniel Arsenault, Legislative Program Manager for the Department of Housing, said the $3.2 million is a loan, but Martin is confident it won’t have to be repaid unless NHOAH violates affordable housing terms. “We won’t be repaying it,” Martin said. “If we fail to comply with the restrictions by not renting it to low income people, they could call the note and it would have to be sold and the loan repaid.”
Lynne Skeet, the project manager for Housing Enterprises, the housing consultant in Enfield, said the NHOAH project is eight rental units in four stand-alone buildings. “They are two- and three-bedroom units from 1,000 to 1,900 square feet,” she said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Preston voters overwhelmingly approved the 150-page agreement Tuesday, 813 to 137, and the Preston Redevelopment Agency minutes later endorsed the Mohegans' $200 to $600 million plan to transform the abandoned Norwich Hospital into a sports, entertainment and recreational resort over the next several years.
Mohegan Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown, also chairman of the MTGA management board, referred to the Mohegan “trail of life,” and said the agreement harkens back to an agreement 400 years ago, when Sachem Uncas granted land on the east bank of the Thames River to Jonathan Brewster for a trading post to benefit both tribe and settlers. Brown said the tribe is proud to be part of the three-way agreement with the state and town.
“We are equally proud as a tribe to be back on this side of the river,” Brown said.
Brown, First Selectman Robert Congdon and PRA Chairman Sean Nugent signed the documents while about 60 people watched. Nugent held up one copy and said his signing represented "17 people from the town of Preston who gave time, energy and support to this project,” referring to members of the volunteer redevelopment agency that oversees the property cleanup, marketing and development negotiations.
Malloy said the Norwich Hospital development, along with the proposed U.S. Coast Guard Museum in New London, freight rail and Port of New London upgrades and the ramped up hiring at Electric Boat, “all point to a greater economic future for this part of Connecticut.”
Brown said the project will have “multiple finish lines,” the first being Tuesday's referendum results and Wednesday's official launch. Prior to the signing ceremony, tribal officials gave a tour of the 388-acre property to a prospective developer and planned to meet the developer for lunch afterward.
“That's all I'm going to say about that,” he said.
The conceptual plan unveiled by the tribe in January and outlined in the 150-page PDDA described numerous specific targeted developments throughout the property. A 100,000-square-foot outdoor theme park with indoor attractions and a 90,000-square-foot indoor water park with outdoor attractions and a 100-room luxury hotel are planned on the east side of Route 12. A 135,000-square-foot sports complex with a 100-room hotel and a 100,000-square-foot sports retail store also are shown on the east side of Route 12.
A marina with approximately 50 boat slips is planned on the Thames River directly across from the Mohegan Sun Casino. A public riverfront park is planned, along with 100 time-share residential units and a 220,000-square-foot senior housing complex overlooking the river. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Wal-Mart drops plans to construct ‘supercenter’ in Manchester
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has shelved plans to build a 152,430-square-foot "supercenter" on Spencer Street in Manchester, town officials said this week.
Director of Planning Gary Anderson said the retailer notified the town last week that it is no longer planning to build a new facility at 205 Spencer St., which the company had said would have employed about 300 workers.
Wal-Mart is working with a local real-estate agent to sell the property, he said.
The multinational retailer purchased space on Spencer Street from Gateway Lauren Inc. for $9.8 million in November 2015, according to the assessor's office.
The decision corresponds with Wal-Mart's nationwide plan to spur online sales, according to Anderson.
"This is a reflection of a national decision, not regional," the planner said.
Wal-Mart's withdrawal is disappointing, Anderson said, adding that the town was looking forward to new jobs and economic growth the supercenter would have brought to Manchester.
Still, he said the town is moving forward working with real-estate agents to find another occupant.
"We are hopeful that, over time, we can attract a developer that is even better than what was proposed recently," Anderson said.
The nixed plan comes months after Wal-Mart officials in October assured the Journal Inquirer the approved Spencer Street site would not fall victim the retailer's plan to open fewer stores and grow online sales.
The Spencer Street facility, which originally had been scheduled to open in 2014, would have been Wal-Mart's second supercenter in Manchester. Wal-Mart's existing store is at 420 Buckland Hills Drive.
In September, Wal-Mart agreed to buy out Jet.com for $3 billion to increase internet-based purchasing.
Phillip Keene, Wal-Mart's director of cooperate communications, wrote in a statement a long review had culminated with the "difficult decision not to move forward" with the Spencer Street project.
"We look forward to continuing to serve our local customers at our Buckland Hills Drive store and online at walmart.com," Keene wrote.
In January 2013, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to approve Wal-Mart's Spencer Street outlet despite concerns the supercenter would affect traffic. The retailer needed the commission's approval because the proposed site had 1,000 parking spaces and exceeds 4 acres.
The new facility would have been 37,000 square feet larger than the Kmart store that formerly occupied that site. It was demolished in 2012.
Wal-Mart first filed an application to redevelop the former Kmart store in August 2012 CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Painkiller Addiction Endangers Workers and Jobsites
Sometimes when things go wrong for construction workers, they go very, very wrong. A worker wrenches his back when he awkwardly picks up a length of rebar, or tears ligaments when he trips and falls from the operator's platform of a hydraulic excavator, and turns to oxycodone or some other prescribed painkiller to find relief and keep working.
Unfortunately, when the injury heals and the pain goes away, the compulsion to continue to mask everyday stress remains strong. From such circumstances is an opioid addict created.
Indeed, insurance industry research has determined that the construction industry has the country's highest rate of opioid addiction. The implications of such an epidemic are several. It begins with the negative impact on the life of the individual, extends through co-workers becoming vulnerable to dangers from impaired worksite behavior, and ends with a company's financial loss from unproductive employees and higher insurance costs.
The opioid crisis is just one facet of substance abuse in the building industry, of course, and is impacting many other workplaces. Even so, the combination of heavy machinery and a blue-collar workforce has turned the industry into ground zero in the battle to throw back the threat.
What can an employer do? To say the least, it is difficult for management to modify the behavior of substance abusers, whether the abuse is of a prescribed drug or an illicitly obtained one. Both physical and psychological dependence are involved. Diagnosis and treatment are problematic because human beings are capable of both rational and irrational behavior.
Prevention starts with educating employees about being victimized by an opioid. In addition, supervisors and middle-managers must be better trained to discern aberrant behaviors associated with opioid use, and management must provide suitable medical intervention when addiction is either recognized or anticipated. Educate. Monitor. Act.
Abuse of opioids and other substances is just one of several workforce dilemmas facing the industry in the 21st century. However, unlike the others, this problem is not about attracting more people into the industry. This is about helping those already on the job.