Pam McLoughlin
MILFORD — A popular boat launch that was taken out of commission during construction on the Moses Wheeler Bridge because contamination was found, is being reconstructed with a parking lot and expected to become available for use next summer, officials said. State Rep. Kim Rose, D-Milford, said she’s been pushing the project because access to the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound is important. “I’m very grateful to the DOT commissioner for recognizing the importance of accessing the water,” Rose said of the approval for funds.
The estimated completion date is May 19, 2019.
“We are anxiously awaiting the restoration of the boat launch into the Housatonic,” said Mayor Ben Blake. He said there is a “real need” for the ramp to open.
The rebuilding of the popular boat launch area originally was included in the Moses Wheeler Bridge reconstruction project, but was pulled when contamination was discovered. The Moses Wheeler breakout project, as it is called, is underway and will continue Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 pm.
“The project includes the demolition of the existing steel trestles on each side of the Housatonic River used to reconstruct the Moses Wheeler Bridge (Project 138-221), excavation of tidal wetland areas on each side, removal of invasive plant species and the planting of native species. The work also includes creation of new tidal wetland habitat on both sides of the Housatonic River, and the aforementioned boat launch,” according to a news release from Rose’s office.
In addition, the release said, there will be access road improvements on either side of the river, and construction of a new parking area for the boat launch on the Milford side.
The project off Naugatuck Avenue will not entail roadway closures or Housatonic River navigational closures.
DOT spiffs up Walk Bridge replacement, public meetings June 5
Robert Koch
NORWALK — On the eve of public information meetings, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has spiffed up aesthetically its planned replacement of the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River. “The Department has worked collaboratively over the last several months with the City of Norwalk and other local stakeholders regarding the new Walk Bridge. Significant changes that have been incorporated into this design,” the DOT said in a statement.
While the proposed new bridge remains a 240-foot-span, vertical-lift structure, its two towers have been reconfigured to introduce an arch form. The change will enhance Norwalk’s cityscape and continue the aesthetics and way-finding tradition of the existing bridge, according to the DOT.
In addition, the DOT has replicated the treatment of the tower arches onto decorative railings approaching the main bridge span, integrated stairways and elevators within the vertical structures, opened the central portion of the pier adjacent to North Water Street, and made aesthetic refinements to the machinery rooms at the tops of the towers and the control house. “It’s all open, the structure — latticework rather than a closed structure,” said Norwalk Department of Public Works Director Bruce Chimento.
The changes come as a result of more than a year of discussions between the DOT, it engineering design consultant and a design advisory committee comprised of local officials and stakeholder “The design advisory committee worked with ConnDOT’s consultant, HNTB, and over the last three or four meetings the design evolved from something that was more of an industrial-looking, traditional bridge to something the design advisory committee thought was more iconic,” said Sue Prosi, Walk Bridge program manager for the city of Norwalk. “It was a very interactive process.”
Prosi said the design team worked with 3D models, exploring alternatives and getting feedback from the design advisory committee.
Public information meetings
On Tuesday, June 5, the DOT and HNTB will hold two identical information meetings to update the public on the roughly $1 billion bridge replacement project that is nearing 60 percent design and is slated to start in 2019. The first is scheduled for 4 p.m., the second for 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave.
DOT and HNTB representatives will give presentations on construction progress, anticipated schedules and upcoming construction activities for two preliminary projects — track-and-signal upgrades either side of the Walk Bridge — as well as updates concerning the bridge replacement itself. “Attendees will learn about upcoming construction work, such as the replacement of the Ann Street Railroad Bridge on the Danbury Line, excavation and track work for the CP243 Interlocking Project on the New Haven Line and a Test Pile Program, which is anticipated to commence in the Norwalk River and surrounding areas later this year,” the DOT said in a notice of the meeting. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions and speak one-on-one with project representatives between the two sessions.
The DOT began planning the bridge replacement after the 122-year-old structure failed to close twice in spring 2014, disrupting Amtrak and Metro-North Railroad trains and thousands of commuters.
The project faces a lawsuit from Norwalk Harbor Keeper, which maintains the DOT and federal government did not adequately explore a smaller, fixed-bridge replacement option. The local conservation group wants the state to rethink the design of the new bridge. The suit is pending in federal court.
Roundabout work underway in New Milford
NEW MILFORD — The first phase of construction on a roundabout on Still River Drive is wrapping up, bringing the project closer to fruition.
Paving started last week on the roads leading up to the planned roundabout, which will replace a four-way stop between Still River Drive and Lanesville and Pickett District roads. A second phase that includes guiderail work on Pickett District Road began Monday, according to the Department of Public Works.
Mike Zarba, director of public works, said the work so far has been leading up to the final phases in which the roundabout will be created.The new street pattern is expected to make the intersection safer and reduce congestion during rush hour “Roundabouts are proven to be safer,” Zarba said.
He said roundabouts have lower speed limits and the circular design prevents T-bone collisions. Accidents, if any, tend to be minor with much fewer injuries, he added.
The project was proposed during a traffic study the town completed several years ago. That study also showed there were delays on Still River off Route 7 and on Still River by Grove Street and Pumpkin Hill Road during the morning and evening commutes. “This solution should cause these delays to be substantially less than what they’ve been in the past few years,” Zarba said.
Guerrera Construction Company Inc. was awarded the construction contract in April and began work early last month. The company has 200 calendars days to substantially complete it, according to Public Works updates on the project, which was designed by Tighe & Bond.
Zarba said they were able to bid the project last year but waited to begin construction so that it wouldn’t start in the fall and have to be suspended for the winter. The timing also allows for much of the work to be completed when school is out of session.
Still River Drive will remain open during the construction, but a lane might close at certain points in the work. Traffic won’t be allowed to turn northbound onto Pickett District Road from Still River Drive and trucks are encouraged to use a detour.
The $1.1 million project is paid for using a Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program grant that is funded by the Western Connecticut Council of Governments and the state Department of Transportation.
State approves $5 million for repairs, upgraded lighting in New Haven parking garages
Metro Staff
NEW HAVEN — The State Bonding Commission recently approved $5 million in funding for repairs and lighting upgrades at the city-owned Crown Street and Temple Street garages, prompting praise from state and municipal officials.
According to a release from the office of state Sen. Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, the commission allocated $1 million for the Crown Street garage and $2.3 million for the one on Temple Street to replace their respective “lighting system with bright, energy efficient LED light fixtures and emergency lighting system.”
The commission also set aside “$1.7 million for concrete repairs and waterproofing,” “in addition to other miscellaneous repairs,” at the two garages, according to the release from Looney. The parking garages are owned by the city of New Haven and operated by the New Haven Parking Authority, according to the release. Mayor Toni Harp and parking authority Chairman Norman Forrester were among the officials to signal their pleasure at their decision, all in the release.
“All of us in New Haven are grateful for this state funding, to help the city meet its obligation to provide safe, suitable parking for all those who live, work, study, visit, and do business here,” Harp said. “The garages to be improved, the Temple Street and Crown Street facilities, are 55 and 46 years old, respectively, with nearly 2,000 parking spaces and ready access to downtown businesses and attractions. State support to maintain these structures is vitally important — and appreciated.”
“Park New Haven is excited to advance some critical capital projects in downtown New Haven to benefit the safety, security and convenience of all who come to work, study, visit and be entertained in our city, which has so much to offer,” said Forrester. “The new energy efficient LED lighting will offer a bright and inviting environment for our patrons. And the concrete repairs and waterproofing will help keep our structures in top condition. We deeply appreciate this much needed assistance from the state.” Looney said that investing in “these kinds of infrastructure improvement projects will allow our city to continue attract people to our local businesses and grow our economy.
“With all the exciting things happening downtown every day, it’s important that our parking garages and lots are upgraded to meet the needs of all the people living and visiting New Haven,” he said.
State Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, said that as chairman of the General Assembly’s Energy Committee, he is “especially excited about the installation of cost efficient effective saving LED lights, the most efficient light source on the planet, which use less energy than traditional bulbs and last much longer.
“Convenient, safe parking garages have a direct impact on the vibrancy of our downtown scene and these improvement projects will only enhance that,” Winfield said.
State Rep. Toni Walker, D-New Haven, said the two garages “are critical to the countless commuters who use them.” “The lighting projects being undertaken will improve safety while saving energy, and the other repairs will help guarantee a longer life for the garages,” she said.
“Recognizing these investments were some of the city of New Haven’s core priorities for state assistance, I am thrilled that we are able to help refurbish and improve these facilities so that thousands of visitors, patrons, tourists and commuters can take advantage of our thriving downtown amenities,” state Rep. Roland Lemar, D-New Haven, said.
State Rep. Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, said that improvements to the parking garages reflect a “commitment to economic development.“The Crown and Temple street facilities are in the heart of New Haven’s retail and commercial districts so providing a brighter, cleaner and safer environment for motorists is critical to our local economy,” he said. “I applaud the city’s legislative delegation, the governor and Bond Commission members for approving these funds.”
State Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, noted that the $5 million in funding “is vital to our effort to support businesses and attract people to our urban centers.“Having access to safe quality parking is a major challenge and is essential to attracting commerce and economic growth to our city. These repairs to our parking garages are much needed so that we are not turning away visitors,” she said.
State Rep. Al Paolillo Jr., D-New Haven, said the investment “signifies a continued strong partnership and synergy between New Haven and our state.”
“Being able to provide safe and secure access to parking is a key to economic development and attracting visitors to our city for the arts and the many other great shops, restaurants and attractions we have to offer,” he said.
Region’s leaders pitch New London to offshore wind suppliers
Benjamin Kail
New London — As developers compete to deliver offshore wind power to Connecticut and other states along the East Coast, state and local leaders are pitching offshore wind firms and suppliers with the consistent message that the city is open for business.
At a gathering Monday night at the Garde Arts Center that brought together a mix of city, state, environmental and labor leaders with U.S. and European suppliers, the pitch seemed to be working.
"The industry is just on the tip of taking off. I'm sure Connecticut will be a part of this," said Lars Kristiansen, senior vice president of Bladt Industries, a Danish company that builds wind turbine foundations and wind farm substations. "Looking from my side, the prosperous outlook in the U.S. and on the East Coast is very positive."
Monday's session came a few days after the state Bonding Commission backed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's push to revitalize State Pier with a $15 million investment. Hosted by RENEW Northeast, Acadia Center and the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, the discussion was part of an offshore wind roadshow organized by the Trade Council of Denmark in North America and featuring about 15 companies across the supply chain.
"This is a unique opportunity to reinvest in the coastal communities in the Northeast," said Abby Watson, the head of government affairs for Spain-based Siemens Gamesa, the world's largest manufacturer of offshore wind turbines. "It's an industrial opportunity of a scale that hasn't come to New England in 100 years."
As a deepwater port with no overhead obstructions, New London could, with upgrades, accommodate some assembly of wind turbines, foundations and substations while providing space for staging the large components for delivery to wind farms, state and local officials say. No turbines are planned for off the southeastern Connecticut coastline.
"We have great ports and connections to rail lines that can bring us through the state," said state Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme. "We want to work with all the industries ... fishing, boating and transportation. This is a city that will attract millennials. It's a city that will keep its retirees, and real estate is improving and rising in value."
Watson emphasized that Connecticut's unique workforce, and Navy and Coast Guard connections, could only benefit the industry and its many moving parts, including turbines, foundations, towers, boats and operations and maintenance crews.
"It's not Siemens Gamesa's mission to serve the U.S. market from Europe," she said. "We see this market as becoming completely viable and large enough to support a fully localized supply chain. That will grow incrementally as the market grows."
State to pick offshore wind bid in June
The state this month plans to choose among three offshore wind developers seeking to bring power to Connecticut from wind farms in federal waters south of Martha's Vineyard.
The state bidders include Bay State Wind, a joint-venture between Denmark-based Orsted and Eversource; Deepwater Wind, the Rhode-Island developer that built the Block Island Wind Farm; and New Bedford-based Vineyard Wind, owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and United Illuminating parent company Avangrid.
The companies have not yet released data on pricing and potential impact on ratepayers, because their bids remain under review by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
After the session, state Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, said she had "infinite faith in technology," but cautioned that it was important for policymakers to protect ratepayers and "do things that make sense."
"It's all well and good to meet our energy and climate goals, but not if we make it unaffordable," Cheeseman said. "There has to be a sweet spot for residential and commercial ratepayers."
Watson echoed comments made last week by Deepwater Wind Vice President Matthew Morrissey, saying as offshore wind competition has ramped up, prices have plummeted. Over the last 10 years, pricing bids in European auctions have gone down 67 percent "as that industry has really taken off," Watson said.
"The more you get installed, the better at it you get, the more localized the supply chain you have, the more competition you have and all that drives down the cost," she said. "The exact same thing will happen in the U.S., and you're already seeing the competition here."
Both Deepwater Wind and Vineyard Wind — recently selected for Rhode Island and Massachusetts projects, respectively — cite New London as a potential hub for offshore wind development.
Deepwater Wind sweetened its pitch by saying it would invest at least $15 million in the Connecticut Port Authority for infrastructure upgrades.
Vineyard Wind proposes $10 million in grants split evenly between energy-storage projects through the Connecticut Green Bank and capital improvements by the Connecticut Port Authority.
Bay State Wind's proposal mentioned a redacted Connecticut port that would be ideal for an offshore wind hub.