PART 4B.

BRIDGEWATER, CT

TRANSPORTATION PLAN

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1. BRIDGEWATER'S NEAR
FUTURE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS:

ROUTE 133
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
Conn DOT Project 16-98 involves the upgrading of guiderails, sightlines and embankments along Route 133 south of Wewaka Brook Road.

This project was placed on the HVCEO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for federal funding in November of 2005 but removed by Conn DOT thereafter.

The narrow and curvy southern section
of Route 133 in Bridgewater is under
consideration for safety improvements.

A public informational meeting concerning this project was held in Bridgewater on 4/8/2008, the public information handout from which is available. Selection of an appropriate diversion route for traffic during construction is an issue.

The Town and Conn DOT have not yet agreed on the scope for this project. The Conn DOT contact is William Britnell at (860) 594-3283.

UPDATE FROM CT DOT DATED 2/16/2011:
SINCE SUMMER 2010, TWO ADDITIONAL DESIGN ALTERNATIVES WERE IDENTIFIED THAT ARE BEING INVESTIGATED TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND AESTHETIC CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY THE FIRST SELECTMAN AND THE PUBLIC.

THESE ALTERNATIVES AND ASSCOIATED DESIGN PLANS ARE BEING REVIEWED WITH OUR CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL TO DETERMINE ESTIMATED TIME FOR CONSTRUCTION AND A DETOUR, RESOLVE CONSTRUCTABILITY ISSUES, AND COORDINATE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE SENSITIVE LEVEL 3 UTILITY COMMUNICATIONS ALONG ROUTE 133.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS STILL REQUIRED FROM THE LEVEL 3 UTILITY CONCERNING THEIR RELOCATION TIME AND COSTS WITH THE LATEST CONCEPT. IT IS ANTICIPATED WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO THAT THE OPTIONS WILL BE PRESENTED TO DOT MANAGEMENT FOR REVIEW.

INFORMATION WILL SUBSEQUENTLY BE PRESENTED TO THE TOWN AND REGION.SEVERAL UNIQUE AND CREATIVE DESIGN OPTIONS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AND REVIEWED OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS TO TRY TO IDENTIFY ONE THAT WOULD BEST SATISFY ALL INTERESTED PARTIES FOR THIS LOCATION.

THE PROCESS TO DETERMINE FEASIBILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, AND COST WITH EACH CONCEPT IS VERY INVOLVED AND TIME CONSUMING. IT HAS ENTAILED A MULTIDISCIPLINE DESIGN TEAM APPROACH INVOLVING MEMBERS FROM OUR HIGHWAY DESIGN OFFICE, BRIDGE SECTION, SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS, HYDRAULICS AND DRAINAGE, CONSTRUCTION, AND OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING.

CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THIS LOCATION.

2. BRIDGEWATER'S LONGER
RANGE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS:

FUTURE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS
None at this time. Bridgewater is a low density town that is not seeking signalization, turning lanes, etc. for its roadways. The 2009 HVCEO Regional Plan classifies the entire municipality as a "Semi-Rural Remote Area."

There may be some minor safety improvements by Conn DOT on state roadways in the future, if authorized by local officials.

Route 133 looking north in Bridgewater Center. Classified
as a semi-rural remote area, this small town has minimal
need for roadway capacity improvements.

3. BRIDGEWATER'S OTHER
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS:

TOWN CENTER PEDESTRIAN PLAN
--- The 2001 Bridgewater Town Plan called for the development of a plan for pedestrian circulation in the village center. As authorized by the Town, in 2008 HVCEO prepared the Bridgewater Center Pedestrian Plan (18.0 MB). This can be implemented with a STEAP or other state grant.

TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER BRIDGES WITH SPANS GREATER
THAN 20 FEET PERIODICALLY INSPECTED BY CONN DOT
Cooperate with Conn DOT on proper maintenance of these bridges which are on Hemlock Road and Wewaka Brook Road.

4. BRIDGEWATER'S
LONGER RANGE BUS
SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS:

(Excerpts from 2010 Bus Service Improvement Plan)

Bridgewater provides a town operated dial-a-ride service for seniors and persons with disabilities with a single bus on variable schedule, with most service provided on Tuesday and Thursday.

The town is outside of the HART service area, but adjacent communities receive comparable SweetHART dial-a-ride service in addition to HART fixed route service. The goal is to integrate the town dial-a-ride to the extent possible with the regional transportation services provided by HART.

Long term, establish new regional SweetHART service that would serve all towns in a more efficient manner than the current town by town approach.