For a transportation project in Sherman 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.

CURRENT ROUTE 37: RECONSTRUCT AND REALIGN FROM
ROUTE 7 IN NEW MILFORD TO ROUTE 39 IN SHERMAN CENTER
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.

FUTURE PROJECTS ON STATE ROADWAYS
— Minor safety improvements by Conn DOT if authorized by local officials. Proceed to Sherman state roadway overviews for Route 37, Route 39 and Route 55.

A view of Route 39 thru the attractive rural hamlet of Sherman Center.
Classified as a semi-rural remote area, this outlying small town has
minimal need for and low priority for roadway capacity improvements.

TOWN CENTER PEDESTRIAN PLAN
— The 2001 Sherman Town Plan called for such a pedestrian analysis, and the Sherman Center Pedestrian Pathways Plan was completed by HVCEO in 2007.

Excerpt from HVCEO's 2007 Sherman Center Pedestrian Plan

FUTURE TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS:
— Advance Sherman transit projects when funding permits.