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It’s #TimeToBuild
Infrastructure Week is a national week of education and advocacy that brings together American businesses, workers, elected leaders, and everyday citizens around one message: It’s #TimeToBuild. From May 15-19, leaders and citizens around America will highlight state of our nation’s infrastructure – roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, water and sewer systems, the energy grid, and more – and encourage policymakers to invest in the projects, technologies, and policies necessary to make America competitive, prosperous, and safe.
Our bipartisan Steering Committee and over 150 affiliates host events, drive media attention, and educate stakeholders and policymakers on the critical importance of infrastructure to America’s economic competitiveness, security, job creation, and in the daily lives of every American. As a business, union, non-profit, government, or an individual who depends on infrastructure, you have an important story to tell. Find a way to participate and tell America that it is Time to Build.
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America’s infrastructure is crumbling, inefficient, and inadequately designed to meet 21st century needs. Yet it is also one of the rare issues on which both political parties, the business and labor communities, and leaders from the White House to State Houses to City Halls, find common ground. In the private sector, and at the state and local levels, innovators from the public and private sectors are investing in new projects, policies, and technologies to put America back in the fast lane.
Hard road ahead for tolls
HARTFORD – When asked where the debate on highway tolls might be leading this year, Rep. Arthur J. O’Neill, R-Southbury, wryly quipped: “Collision.”
The one-word answer aptly sums up where the opposing sides are headed because there is no middle of the road on this question, especially in the most narrowly divided legislature in decades.
Highway tolls are probably getting the hardest second look since the state removed tolls from Interstate 95, the Merritt Parkway, the Wilbur Cross Parkway and a couple of bridges in the 1980s.
The legislature and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy are staring down a two-year budget gap of $5 billion, and the Special Transportation Fund is going to be broke in 2022 unless additional revenues are found.
“I think tolls are inevitable in the state of Connecticut,” House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, said.
Maybe, maybe not, but if they are brought back, tolls will not pop back up overnight.
First, the state Department of Transportation would have to negotiate tolling agreements with the Federal Highway Administration.
This is what the legislature could decide this session – authorizing the negotiations and DOT to plan the process of putting up electronic tolls.
Given the green light, the DOT has estimated that it would take three or four years to re-establish tolls on Connecticut’s highways.
“So, we are a long, long, long, long, long way from even determining whether or not money can come from tolls,” said Sen. Leonard A. Fasano, R-North Haven, the Senate GOP leader.
Also, he said, tolls would not be allowed to be on the borders because it would jeopardize the federal highway funding the state has received over the years since the removal of the last highway tolls in 1988. “I think that is universally accepted, but I think the public has the feeling that you can have border tolls because when you talk about it that is what the public talks about. That just cannot happen.”
It grinds on supporters of tolls that out-of-state drivers are making the trip through Connecticut without paying for the wear and tear they cause, or the congestion they add to state highways.
“I think we can’t put our heads in the sand. We’re a drive-thru state right now,” said Sen. Joan V. Hartley, D-15th District. “Think about it. In every New England state, and you go up and down the East Coast, you’re going from toll to toll to toll.”
An estimated 150,000 vehicles a day travel through the elevated, double-decked Mixmaster interchange that carries Interstate 84 and Route 8 over city streets in Waterbury and the Naugatuck River in the heart of Hartley’s district.
A full replacement of the deteriorating, 50-year-old bridge complex is preliminarily estimated to cost $7 billion to $8 billion. Meanwhile, the DOT is expected to start work on a $200 million rehabilitation in 2019 to keep the network safe until it can be rebuilt. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Natural Gas Project In Killingly Rejected By State Panel
controversial proposal to build a $537 million natural-gas-fired power plant in Killingly has been rejected by the Connecticut Siting Council, and environmentalists in the region are hailing the decision as a victory.
The proposed plant became a flash point in an ongoing debate over Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's push to use more natural gas to produce electricity in Connecticut and environmental objections to increased use of the fossil fuel.
The council ruled that "the proposed facility is not necessary for the reliability of the electric power supply of the state or for a competitive market for electricity at this time." The project was being proposed by Florida-based NTE Energy and was to have produced an estimated 550 megawatts of power.
"We're pleased the Siting Council recognizes that building more gas plants is the wrong direction for Connecticut," said Jack Looney, staff attorney for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. That organization was one of several activist groups that filed in opposition to the Killingly plant.
NTE Energy spokesman Mark Mirabito said in a prepared statement that his company is "disappointed that the Connecticut Siting Council's concern appears to be based on their perception that there is, currently, a lack of need for the new source of energy that would be provided by the Killingly Energy Center."
"NTE remains convinced that up to 6,000 megawatts of older, dirtier and less efficient power generating units will soon retire in New England," Mirabito said. "The retirement of these units, as well as ongoing concerns about seasonable reliability and renewables integration, will support the need for [the] Killingly Energy Center."NTE officials declined to comment when asked if they planned to appeal the siting council's ruling. The ruling wouldn't prevent the company from refiling its application for the project in the future.
Many Killingly residents and some local legislators also opposed NTE Energy's planned construction of the plant. Critics warned the natural gas-fired facility would produce more air pollution in a region crowded with existing power plants, and could worsen the area's high rate of lung disease.
There were also complaints the project could sometimes use up to 400,000 gallons of water a day – a potent argument in a state that is only now emerging from a two-year drought – and cut down 25 acres of woodlands.
The company has argued the plant would create hundreds of jobs and $236 million in "total economic output" over three years, and was also supported by some local officials. NTE Energy officials estimated the facility would result in "electricity cost savings to Connecticut ratepayers." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Route 6 widening expected to be finished in November of next year
BRISTOL - The Connecticut Department of Transportation is currently working on widening Route 6 to make safety and traffic improvements and ultimately safer for travel.
The project spans from the intersection of Carol Drive and Route 6 in Bristol to the intersections of Peggy Lane and Route 6 in Farmington. On weekdays the road will be closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays.
The plan proposed the addition of an eastbound lane between these two intersections, in order to reduce congestion, delays, gridlock and safety concerns.
The proposed improvements would adjust the existing pavement cross-slope, make drainage modifications and upgrades, and change the traffic signals to accommodate the alterations.
Construction began at the beginning of April and should be completed in November 2018, at the end of the next construction season, explained Judd Everhart, director of communications at the Department of Transportation.
“Last fall, the project was awarded to Empire Paving at a cost of about $12.87 million,” said Everhart. “For projects like this, 80 percent of the total cost comes from federal funding and then the cities match the other 20 percent.”
There are specific aspects in the project’s planning process from an online community survey conducted last year to incorporate the public’s visions into the development of the corridor. One percent of respondents felt the corridor is fine as is.
The study found that traffic and overall appearance was a big concern to the 267 respondents, of which about 35 percent live and work in the Route 6 corridor. 70 percent of respondents said there should be additional turning lanes, and roughly half said travel lanes should be added.
Sidewalks are planned along the entire corridor, along with bicycle accommodation on or in the vicinity. Roughly 35 percent stated that improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks were needed in the Terryville Avenue, downtown gateway and Farmington Avenue segments.
MERIDEN — City officials say they hope to restore South Meriden’s Red Bridge, a historic landmark in need of repairs.
The bridge, located next to the intersection of River and Oregon roads, was built in 1891, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As of Thursday morning, the bridge had at least two holes in separate floorboards and paint was chipped in some areas.
The bridge was built by The Berlin Iron Bridge Co. and was one of seven the company built in the city. It is now the only one remaining bridge built by the company in Meriden.
In the 1980s, city officials proposed restoring the bridge, as it had fallen into disrepair and decay, according to Record-Journal archives. With assistance from the Lions Club, the bridge was refurbished by September 2002. The project took about a year and a half to complete and cost nearly $20,000. About 70 gallons of paint and 5,000 screws were use Mayor Kevin Scarpati, who grew up in South Meriden, said he has a fondness for the bridge.
“I’d like to see something done to it, given it’s historical nature in the city,” Scarpati said. The bridge is not regularly maintained, and Scarpati said the floor may need to be replaced and the structure repainted.
“I feel as though something needs to be done to beautify this historic landmark,” Scarpati said.
City Manager Guy Scaife said the bridge is a gateway to the linear trail and that the city must preserve it. Small repairs to the bridge could be worked into the budget, Scaife said.
“It’s obvious that it is a treasure and we’ve got to maintain it,” he said.
Construction season in the state has begun, and on just about every highway in the region state crews and contractors are taking on a variety of projects.
If your vehicle is damaged or you are injured due to road conditions in a construction zone, the state likely can’t be held liable under state statute.
You may have noticed an orange sign as you enter the construction zone which states in bold lettering “Construction Ahead” at the top. Below in smaller lettering it says “Road Use Restricted” and “State Liability Limited.”
In even smaller lettering below that are sections of state statute. The statutes cited effectively give the state immunity for any injuries or damage while you’re traveling through the construction zone. For example, section 13a-115 of state statute is often listed on the sign and allows the state to close lanes for construction. The section states that a bridge or highway can be closed or traffic can be restricted “for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repair by posting notices at each end of such section of highway or at each end of such bridge.”
Section 13a-115 notes that section 13a-145 of statute applies when a state road is closed or traffic is restricted due to construction. That section, titled “Use of closed highway at user’s risk,” states that any person or motorist “using a state highway or bridge which has been designated as closed or restricted under the provisions of section 13a-115 shall do so at his own risk except with respect to any injury or loss not traceable to a defect caused in the process of construction, reconstruction or repair.”
So a motorist or pedestrian who is injured or has damage to their vehicle while traveling through a construction zone can only file a claim for damages with the state if they can prove that the defect that inflicted said injury or damage wasn’t caused by ongoing construction.
Section 13a-144 of statute allows for a lawsuit to be filed for any injuries sustained on a state road when construction isn’t occurring, provided it can be proven that the state was negligent in maintaining a highway, bridge or sidewalk. Notice must be filed within 90 days, and any legal action must be brought within two years of said injury.
If you’re injured on a defective road or bridge, section 13a-149 allows for damages to be recovered “from the party bound” to maintain said structure, such as a municipality, corporation or borough. Written notice must be filed with the municipality within 90 days, and a claim can’t be filed more than two years after the injury. But if the bridge or road is closed for construction, damages can’t be recovered, according to section 13a-146 of state statute.
Kevin Nursick, a state DOT spokesman, previously spoke to the Record-Journal about the state’s liability when it comes to road defects, such as potholes. In essence, the state has “sovereign immunity,” meaning it is not liable for anything, he said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) requested the funding on behalf of the developers for a pair of derelict office buildings at 101-111 Pearl St., at the corner of Trumbull Street, and the former M. Swift & Sons gold-leaf factory in the city's North End "Promise Zone."
The largest funding requests cover the Pearl Street pair, according to bond commission papers.
New York developer Girona Ventures is in line to receive from CRDA a $9.42 million, 3 percent loan towards the $29 million redevelopment of 101 Pearl Street, the taller, 11-story neighbor to 111 Pearl.
At 101 Pearl, Girona proposes to create 157 apartments. The bond commission agenda shows Girona would obtain a $13.6 million first mortgage to pair with its $3.6 million in equity. In addition, the project will have a $2.4 million state brownfield loan to remediate hazardous materials on-site.
For 111 Pearl, Girona wants to create another 76 apartments using a low-interest $6.06 million CRDA loan to partly fund that $21.7 million project, papers show. Additional financing includes an $8 million first mortgage; $3 million apiece in developer equity and a tax-credit bridge loan; and a $1.6 million state brownfield loan.
This will be Girona's second and third CRDA redevelopment loans. It received loan assistance to redevelop the former Sonesta/Clarion Hotel in downtown's Constitution Plaza into the $26 million, 193-unit Spectra Boutique Apartments.
For the Swift project, nonprofit developer Community Solutions asked CRDA for a $4.3 million loan towards the $32.4 million conversion of the building at 10 Love Lane into a central commissary for the city's public schools, office space, food-business incubator space, a community health center, and a commercial laundry spot that would employ residents in the Upper Albany Avenue and Clay-Arsenal neighborhoods, commission files show. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Confused Drivers Pull Into Oncoming Traffic During Construction In Bristol
With long-term construction adding to traffic backups on Route 6, city police are asking motorists to pay closer attention to signs and flaggers.
One eastbound lane of Route 6 near Stafford Avenue is out of use while contractors dig up the pavement. And for the next year and a half, lanes on a stretch of Stafford Avenue on the south side of Route 6 are reconfigured.
In recent weeks, some northbound drivers on Stafford haven't noticed that there's no longer a left-turn lane, police say.
A contractor has repainted the pavement to show the lane is now for southbound traffic, but some motorists have still lined up there for left turns, police said. That puts them on the wrong side of the street - and facing oncoming traffic."Motorists have failed to notice all the changes, instead they are illegally passing the stopped cars anticipating a left turn lane at the intersection," said Lt. Todd Kozaryn, commander of the traffic division. "Once there, they find themselves blocking the southbound travel lane and risking a head-on collision."
Kozaryn has heard no reports of accidents yet, but officers assigned to traffic duty in the area have seen some near-hits.
"Drivers are used to having that left-turn lane," Kozaryn said.
Empire Paving, which has a $12.8 million contract to widen a stretch of Route 6, repainted the Stafford Avenue pavement with new double-yellow lines to show the old northbound left-turn lane is now a southbound through lane. Workers also covered up an overhead sign indicating a left-turn lane, and used black plastic to temporarily cover the left-turn arrow.
Kozaryn said Empire is expected to return Stafford to the old traffic configuration by the time its crews finish construction in November of 2018.
In the meantime, he's urging all motorists to pay extra attention in the area. On Route 6 west of Stafford Avenue, heavy equipment this week began tearing up some of the old pavement. The road is temporarily narrowed from three lanes to two. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE