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 DRIVEWAY AND CURB CUT PLAN
As requested by the New Milford Zoning Commission, during 2008 HVCEO updated the 1997 New Milford Routes 7 and 202 Curb Cut and Access Management Overlay Zone. This document has been adopted 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.

RECENT 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.

--- A proposal to study the feasibility an an East-West Connector.

— 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:

NEW MILFORD FIXED ROUTE HART BUS:
• Goals include extending the weekday service span from 6 pm to 9 pm, extend the Saturday service span from 5 pm to 9 pm, implement Sunday service hourly between 9 am and 4 pm and provide service with 30 minute headways during the midday period.

• Make minor changes to the #7 New Milford Route to complement proposed modifications to the #4 Brookfield Route.

NEW MILFORD SWEETHART BUS:
• Provide New Milford's seniors and disabled with additional weekday SweetHART service by extending the service day from the current 2:45 pm to 6 pm.

• For the long term, reduce costs by establishing a new regional SweetHART service that would serve New Milford and nearby towns in a more efficient manner than the town by town approach at present.

NEW MILFORD COMMUTER RAIL:
• Re-establish commuter rail service from Norwalk and Danbury northerly to New Milford.

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