For a transportation project in Redding 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.

The Redding Town Plan of 1998 states that "unlike local town roads, where the goal is to minimize traffic impacts in order to support preservation of the town's essential characteristics, the traffic capacity of existing Route 7 should be maximized to allow the road to absorb local and connector traffic and prevent overflow on to secondary roads such as Routes 107 and 53."

Continuing, "The Redding Planning Commission thus strongly supports major widening and capacity improvements on existing Route 7 and 25, the principal north-south arteries immediately west and east of the Town and continues to recommend that plans for 'Super 7' be abandoned."

As for upcoming planning activities, Redding, in cooperation with HVCEO, SWRPA and Conn DOT, will participate in a needs assessment of the Route 7 corridor between Olmstead Hill Road in Wilton and Route 35 in Ridgefield to establish an implementation program for operational, intersection, safety, access management, multimodal and streetscaping enhancements, all within a framework of sensitive design.

---The right of way owned by Conn DOT for a future Route 7 Expressway should instead be used for a pedestrian path to be known as the Sugar Hollow Greenway.

Concerning truck traffic along the Route 53 corridor shared by Redding and Bethel, it was agreed in 2000 by Redding, Bethel and HVCEO that no increase in the height of the clearance of the railroad bridge over Route 53 in Bethel should be permitted.

The goal was and remains to avoid an increase in use of Route 53 by large trucks. The overhead detection warning device installed by Conn DOT at this location has been successful in protecting public safety. Future modifications to this bridge should continue to respect the 2000 regional agreement.

CURRENT ROUTE 107:
— Implement initial phases of Georgetown Streetscape Plan as federal Enhancement Program project, using federal grant of $622,400 approved late in 2005.The Georgetown Enhancement Project has been assigned Conn DOT Project number 116-H013.

— Implement the recommendations of the 2001 HVCEO Bulletin 104, Georgetown Beautification and Traffic Plan, as modified by later Town studies.

FUTURE ROUTE 107 STUDY:
Conn DOT’s 1997 proposal for the relocation of a portion of Route 107 in the vicinity of Umpawaug Road to address safety concerns was rejected by the Town. Conn DOT then made a commitment to undertake a safety improvement study of the existing alignment at a future date. Conn DOT Contact: Mario Marrero (860) 594-3481.

Redding works to maintain the attractive appearance of its state roadways.
Shown here is Route 53 northbound by the Saugatuck Reservoir, designated by Conn
DOT in 1992 as a scenic roadway and still the only such state designation in the Region.

FUTURE TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS:

REDDING COORDINATION WITH SWEETHART BUS
• Coordinate operation of the Town provided service with regional services provided by HART.

REDDING COMMUTER RAIL:
• In coordination with the private redevelopment of the vacant wire mill complex in Georgetown, construct a new rail passenger station and adjacent transportation center on the Wilton - Redding Town Line.

• Expand peak period, through train and reverse commute rail service and extend rail service north from Georgetown and West Redding Stations past Danbury to New Milford.

• Support the construction of a multi-modal transportation center in the Georgetown village area, as part of the redevelopment of that area which is immediately adjacent to Route 7. The multi - modal center will be located on the Wilton - Redding Town Line and include pedestrian and bicycle access, bus and rail transit services, and parking.

In 2005 the Town of Redding was presented with a
prestigious National Award for Smart Growth Achievement
in the Small Communities category by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for the above Georgetown Redevelopment Project,
which will make use of both Route 7 and the Danbury Branch Rail Line.