|
For a transportation
project in New Milford to obtain a commitment of federal transportation
funds, it must first appear on the HVCEO maintained list below.
This listing also assists local officials in tracking the
progress of current improvements,
and planning and advocating for future
improvements as well.
Of
related interest, don't miss the report entitled Traffic
Planning for Central New Milford.
ROUTE 7 CURRENT: WIDENING FROM BRIDGE
STREET (ROUTE 67) SOUTH TO BROOKFIELD TOWN LINE
--- Widening to four lanes from Bridge Street south to the
Brookfield Town Line is complete, except for one segment northerly
from Lanesville Road which is under construction as of 4/2008.

Groundbreaking
for widening the southern section of New Milford's
Route 7 on May 3, 2005. From left State Representative Clark
Chapin, New Milford Mayor Patricia Murphy, Governor Jodi Rell,
State Senator Andrew Roraback. Photo courtesy of the New Milford
Times.

Widened
of Route 7 from two to four lanes includes a
20 foot grassed median thru southern New Milford, from
Lanesville Road south to the Brookfield Bypass.
ROUTE 7
CURRENT: UPDATE 1997 DRIVEWAY AND CURB CUT PLAN
As requested by the New Milford Zoning Commission,
during 2008 HVCEO is updating the Route 7 curb cut plan which
since 1997 has served as a standard within the municipal zoning
regulations.
CURRENT
ROUTE 37: RECONSTRUCT
FROM RT 7 WEST TO ROUTE 39 IN SHERMAN
This project includes safety improvements and reconstruction
of Route 37 from Route 7 in New Milford westerly to the intersection
of Route 39 in Sherman Center. For funding reasons, Conn DOT
has separated this project into 3 separate projects, as follows:
Western
portion, Project No. 127-89, begins at Route 39 in
Sherman Center and extends eastward about one mile. Estimated
cost as of 4/2008 is $5.5 million. Project 127-89 is scheduled
first and is to be advertised on 12/24/2008.
According
to Conn DOT project manager Will Britnell “Aside from
the permit issues, we have been coordinating with the utility
companies on relocating their facilities and also have been
working with our construction personnel regarding how to stage
the work and maintain traffic during construction. Assuming
this schedule is maintained, construction would begin in the
late spring/early summer of 2009 and be completed some time
in 2010. “
Eastern
portion, Project No. 95-244, begins at Route 7 in
New Milford and extends westward about one mile. The rough
cost estimate is $5.9 million and may rise. Project 95-244
will be the second phase and is currently scheduled to be
advertised on 12/2/09. This means the construction work would
start in 2010 and be completed in 2011.
Middle
portion and parent project 127-83, includes the high
point on the ridge and the New Milford – Sherman town
line area. The rough cost estimate is $6.0 million and may
rise. Project 127-83 is scheduled to be advertised on 12/8/2010,
which would mean it would start in 2011 and be complete in
2012.
All three projects have been slowed by two
main issues – the need for a waste stockpile area for
all three projects with the acquisition of rights to use in
progress as of 4/2008. The second issue is the DEP permit
process, with the permit expected by 6/2008.
According to the project manager’s report
of 4/08, “there will be some overlap between the projects,
but since each project is about one mile in length, the impact
on traffic should hopefully be minimized.
We had to redesign the drainage system for
all three projects as part of the DEP permitting process and
we need to acquire some additional property for a retention
pond for the second project, but other than that and the waste
stockpile area, we have all the property we need for all three
projects.”
The Conn
DOT contact is William Britnell (860) 594-3283.
CURRENT
ROUTE 67: REALIGNMENT OF BRIDGE,
EAST AND GROVE STS. AND RELOCATION OF GROVE
FROM MILL ST. TO THE REALIGNED INTERSECTION
The Grove
Street Bypass includes Conn DOT projects 95-212
and 95-234. Project 95-212 concerns the realignment of the
intersection of Bridge St. (Routes 67 and 202), East St. (Route
202) and Grove Street and also curve reduction nearby, and
project 95-234 includes the relocation of Grove Street from
Mill Street northerly to the reconfigured intersection.
Some permits are still being applied for, completion of final
design is expected in late 2007, with advertising in 2008,
followed by construction. Right of way acquisition activities
have already been initiated.
It is anticipated that local, State and Federal permits will
be required for wetlands, flood management and storm water
discharge. Total project costs are estimated at $14,200,000.
Conn DOT Contact: Robert Rakowski (860) 594-3221.

At
lower center is relocated Grove Street, creating a new
intersection with Routes 67 and 202. The Town Green is at
upper left.
ROUTE 202 CURRENT: CREATE DRIVEWAY AND CURB
CUT PLAN
As requested by the
New Milford Zoning Commission, during 2007 HVCEO will create
a Route 202 curb cut plan to serve as a standard within the
municipal zoning regulations.
CURRENT
LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT: LOVERS
LEAP BRIDGE OVER THE HOUSATONIC RIVER
Conn DOT Project 95-222 concerned the restoration of the historic
Lovers Leap Bridge over the Housatonic
River. Construction on this $2,108,000 project was initiated
in 2004 and completed in 2007.

Recent
restoration of the 1895 Lovers Leap
Bridge over the Housatonic River gorge.
Photo courtesy of David Hannon
FUTURE
LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS:
— A proposal to relocate Boardman Road to
bypass a low railroad overpass, including realignment
of Aspetuck Road, in accordance with a 7/27/2001 Conn DOT
plan that cost about $5, 200,000, is available for review.

In
2001 New Milford requested Conn DOT to prepare a
suggested Boardman Road improvement plan. The result above
shows the roadway relocated from the south to the north side
of
the railroad tracks and the intersection with Aspetuck Ridge
Road relocated.
Green
areas represent pavement
to be removed and yellow area new pavement.
—
Another proposed improvement is an upgraded "Patriot's
Way" roadway from Bridge Street northerly
to the vicinity of public works garage, to facilitate access
to the Boardman Road Area. This improvement will be studied
in part by the upcoming Conn DOT review of parking and access
for rail passenger use near the current railroad station.
—
Remaining traffic issues in central New Milford should be
studied by HVCEO to determine where additional investments
in congestion relief are warranted. The study area would include
the entire Downtown as well as Boardman Road. Potential sidewalk
extensions and traffic signal upgrades would be included.
However,
to obtain accurate results, such a study must be delayed until
after traffic patterns adjust due to the completion of Route
7 widening and relocation in Brookfield and completion of
the Grove Street Bypass.
FUTURE
TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS IN NEW MILFORD:
— Advance New
Milford transit projects when funding permits.

Shown
in red is the potential commuter rail platform
in the Town's 1996 "Downtown New Milford Study."
|