INTRODUCTION

This section provides a summary of the costs of projects recommended in the Regional Transportation Plan. As this is a long range systems level plan, many of the cost estimates are preliminary. The intent is to prepare a realistic estimate of total program cost to compare to a capped figure of expected revenues.

Federal rules require that project priorities
be set. A lengthy regional plan over-bundled
with transportation needs cannot be approved.

HVCEO includes this financial component within its Regional Transportation Plan to insure that the Plan can be reasonably implemented, since overall federal and state funding will be limited.

In meeting this requirement, it is HVCEO's intent that the program's many planning bulletins and other data reports with their cost estimates be considered as supporting documentation. CT DOT planning documents are also used for this purpose.

The federal process requires that the regional plan be "fiscally constrained." That is, proposed projects within the plan must be prioritized such that only those that are fundable over the period 2011 - 2040 are included "under the cap."

This setting of priorities allows other processes such as the air quality analysis of major proposals to proceed on a realistic basis.

As required by federal rules, projects to be placed on the Region's capital program of projects will be drawn from the lists of needed transit and roadway projects in this Plan.

At the same time, HVCEO will not attempt to program projects costing more than the 2011-2040 year amounts set by CT DOT for "financial constraint" planning purposes.

Projects costing in excess of these CT DOT determined amounts could be considered to be scheduled for the "off years", that is, beyond the scope of this current Plan.

1. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENTS 2011-2040

System improvement projects are those which enhance safety, improve mobility, increase system productivity or promote economic growth.

The CT DOT estimate as of 9/10/2010 of funds to be available to the Housatonic Valley Planning Region for the 2011-2040 planning period is $627,376,551. This Plan's total is a lesser amount: $225,187,000, well under the mandatory fiscal cap.

The source by municipality of the $225,187,000 is as follows:

Bethel: $18,836,000
Bridgewater: $2,150,000
Brookfield: $15,437,000
Danbury: $96,169,000
New Fairfield: $4,650,000
New Milford: $10,750,000
Newtown: $36,270,000
Redding: $28,000,000
Ridgefield: $11,075,000
Sherman: $1,850,000
Region: $ 225,187,000

Then the source, by project, by municipality of the $225,187,000 is as follows:

BETHEL, CT
Route 6: Upgrade capacity at the intersections of Route 6 with Garella Road, easterly to Benedict Road and then at the Weed Road intersection in accordance with the 2008 Route 6 Traffic Plan, cost estimated at $4,750,000.

Route 53: Make safety improvements on Route 53 from Mansfield Street south to the intersection with Route 302, using as a guide the Route 53 Overview Report recommendations for development of roundabouts at the intersection with Fleetwood Avenue and then with Route 302 (Greenwood Avenue), estimated cost $5,250,000.

Route 302: Complete second and final phase of the Downtown Bethel Streetscape Plan, cost estimated at $2,000,000.

Local Road: Realign the intersection of Walnut Hill Road with Hoyt Road to reduce the accident rate on the steep grade and at the adjacent intersection, estimated cost $400,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Local Road: Widen Plumtrees Road Bridge over East Swamp Brook and improve adjacent intersection at Whittlesey Drive and Walnut Hill Road, cost estimated at $4,185,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Local Road: Improve sidewalks on and near Plumtrees Road to interconnect sidewalks serving the nearby schools complex, estimated cost is $441,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Local Road: Replace Walnut Hill Road Bridge over Limekiln Brook and reconstruct part of Walnut Hill Road, cost estimated at $1,810,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

BRIDGEWATER, CT
Route 133: upgrade guiderails, sightlines and embankments along Route 133 from Lake Lillinonah northerly to just south of Wewaka Brook Road, estimated cost $2,000,000.

Route 133: Implement the recommendations of the 2008 Bridgewater Center Pedestrian Plan in the village hamlet, estimated cost $150,000.

BROOKFIELD, CT
-- Route 202: Safety and capacity improvements on Route 202 from White Turkey Road north to Route 133, including lane widening and improved lane continuity in this major commercial shopping area, cost estimated at $10,750,000.

-- Route 202: Redesign Route 202 in the vicinity of its intersection with Route 25 in accordance with the Brookfield Village Center Plan’s guidelines for development of a mixed use village center, cost estimated at $1,200,000.

-- Routes 25, 133, 202 and a segment of Long Meadow Hill Road: Complete pedestrian features recommended for segments of these roadways by the 2001 Brookfield Town Plan, cost estimated at $1,250,000.

-- Multi-Use Pedestrian Trail: Construct the Still River Multi-Use Trail from the Brookfield Town Hall north to the Routes 25 and 202 “Four Corners” intersection, cost estimated at $2,237,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

DANBURY, CT
-- Route 37: Realignment and signalization of the intersection of Route 37 with Stacy Road, cost estimated at $2,150,000.

-- Route 37: Widen Route 37 from 2 to 4 lanes from Hayestown Avenue northerly to the intersection with Jeanette Street, cost estimated at $5,500,000.

Route 39: Widen with additional lanes as feasible between Cowperthwaite Street and East Gate Road, and add southbound turning lanes and geometric improvements as needed at East Gate Road and Beckerle Street, cost estimated at $2,500,000.

Route 53 (Main Street): Improve the alignment and traffic capacity of South Street (Route 53) at its intersection with Triangle Street and Coal Pit Hill Road, cost estimated at $3,100,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Route 53 (Main Street): Add capacity at the intersection of Route 53 and Routes 37 and 39 and the I-84 Exit 5 off ramp, cost estimated at $8,900,000.

Route 53 (Main Street); various operational and safety improvements including converting Patch Street into a one way eastbound street, providing turning lanes at Franklin Street and Garamella Boulevard, and providing four lanes from Wooster Street to South Street by either widening the roadway or removing parking, cost estimated at $3,200,000.

Route I-84: Extend the deceleration lengths on both the eastbound and westbound I-84 Exit 5 off-ramps and signalize the end of the eastbound off-ramp at the Farview Avenue intersection, cost estimated at $8,000,000.

Route 805: Minor widening near Starr Road to provide a uniform four lanes of travel thru this intersection, cost estimated at $200,000.

Route 806: Provide for a westbound left turn lane from Newtown Road on to Old Shelter Rock Road and signalize this intersection, cost estimated at $1,015,000.

Route 806: Widen Route 806 (Newtown Road) thru its intersection with Old Newtown Road, improve the geometry of the current intersection, and provide new access drive for Danbury Public Works Complex as fourth leg of intersection, cost estimated at $7,500,000.

Local Road: Phase One implementation of the recommendations of the 2007 Western CT State University – Danbury Hospital Area Traffic Plan, intersection improvement priorities in this congestion central Danbury area are 1) the White Street, Locust Avenue and Wildman Street Intersection, 2) the White Street and Federal Road intersection, and 3) the closely spaced combination intersections of Garamella Boulevard at Maple Avenue and Balmforth Avenue at Osborne Street, cost estimated at $12,540,000.

Local Road: Phase Two implementation of the recommendations of the 2007 Western CT State University – Danbury Hospital Area Traffic Plan, additional intersections for improvement in this key institutional area are Tamarack Avenue at Hayestown Avenue, Tamarack Avenue at Virginia Avenue Extension, Tamarack Avenue at Hospital Avenue and Locust Avenue, Osborne Street at Hospital Avenue, Osborne Street at Locust Avenue, White Street at Moss Avenue, White Street at Fifth Avenue, and White Street at Eighth Avenue, cost estimated at $18,800,000. Phase Three estimated at $12,064,000.

Local Road: Kenosia Avenue improvements, widen sections from Backus Avenue northerly to the vicinity of Lake Kenosia, cost estimated at $4,500,000.

Local Road: Backus Avenue improvements, widen sections from Kenosia Avenue westerly to Miry Brook Road, cost estimated at $3,800,000.

-- Local Road: Upgrade coordinated signal system on Backus Avenue in the vicinity of the Danbury Fair Mall, from Kenosia Avenue to Park Road, cost estimated at $2,100,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

--- Local Road: Signal installation at intersection of Lake Avenue with Shannon Ridge Road and Ridge Road, cost estimated at $300,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT
Route 37: Improvements at intersection with Saw Mill Road including signalization to address limited sight lines, high travel speeds, and dominant left turn movements, cost estimated at $1,100,000.

Route 37: At the intersection of Route 37 with Route 39 in the Town Center develop a roundabout to better allocate right of way among competing movements, cost estimated at $2,800,000.

Route 39: Improve Route 39 near Warwick Road to reduce accident rates affected by sharp turns and steep grades. Consider improvements near Sawmill Road to reduce speeds and assist pedestrians, cost estimated at $500,000.

Local Road: Make improvements to New Fairfield High School access at Gillotti Road, cost estimated at $250,000.

NEW MILFORD, CT
Route 7: Construction of pedestrian improvements in the vicinity of New Milford High School, with priority for access to nearby businesses patronized by students, cost estimated at $200,000.

Route 37: Geometric and safety improvement from Route 7 westerly to the Sherman Town Line, cost estimated at $5,900,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Local Road: Safety improvements at the intersection of Railroad Avenue, Housatonic Avenue and Bennitt Street, cost estimated at $350,000.

Local Road: The Central New Milford Pedestrian Loop will run from Bridge Street south to Lanesville Road, east across the Housatonic River and then back north to New Milford Center, cost estimated at $4,300,000.

NEWTOWN, CT
Route 6: Realign Edmond Road to meet Commerce Road and improve safety from Commerce Road easterly to I-84 Exit 10, cost estimated at $8,250,000.

Route 6: Increase the number of lanes and add turning lanes on Route 6 in the Hawleyville Area to serve an adjacent major economic development area, cost estimated at $4,800,000.

Route 25: Provide progressive signalization coupled with widening of Route 25 to four lanes with turning lanes in the vicinity of Exit 9 to serve an adjacent major economic development area, cost estimated at $3,500,000.

Route 25: Improve safety and operational characteristics by rebuilding the intersection of Pecks Lane North with Route 25, cost estimated at $1,470,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Route I-84: Rebuild I-84 Exit 11 into a four way diamond interchange with an access road that will intersect with Route 34 across from Wasserman Way in order to improve roadway safety and traffic flow during peak periods, cost estimated at $12,000,000.

Route 816: Complete the Sandy Hook Center streetscaping plan including geometric revisions to the intersection of Glen Road with Washington Street and Riverside Drive, cost estimated at $500,000.

Local Road: A new connecting roadway to link Route 6 at its western terminus with Wasserman Way at its eastern terminus, thereby providing a needed link between I-84 Exits 10 and 11 and alleviating traffic pressures on the nearby central areas of Newtown, cost estimated at $5,750,000.

REDDING, CT:
Georgetown Intermodal Transportation Center: Part of a U.S. EPA award winning “Smart Growth” and “transit oriented development” project, this facility will be a public investment of interregional transit benefit in conformance with the Danbury Branch Line Improvement Plan, cost estimated at $28,000,000.

RIDGEFIELD, CT
Route 7: new signal and reconstruction at Route 7 with Old Town Road, additional turn lanes and signal modifications at Route 7 and Route 102, at the intersection of Route 7 with Route 35 geometric modifications to scale down the intersection, and new signal and reconstruction at Route 7 intersection with driveway to Ridgefield Crossing, cost estimated at $1,250,000.

Route 7: In Branchville Village Area from Wilton Town Line north to the intersection with Route 102, initiate Route 7 capacity, parking garage and pedestrian improvements, cost estimated at $6,625,000.

Route 35: Upgrade capacity and signalization at the intersection of Route 35 with Bailey Avenue and Catoonah Street, including a 1,000 foot section of Route 35, cost estimated at $3,200,000.

SHERMAN, CT
Route 37: Geometric and safety improvement from Sherman Center easterly to the New Milford Town Line, estimated cost is $1,350,000, on currently approved federally funded capital program.

Route 37: Town Center Pedestrian Plan: Implement the recommendations of the Sherman Center Pedestrian Plan, cost estimated at $500,000

REGION TOTAL: $225,187,000.

2. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
PRESERVATION 2011-2040

Preservation projects are such as state roadway repavings, bridge repair or replacement, and other reconstruction in place, as required under CT DOT maintenance schedules.

The amount projected for the Housatonic Valley Region by the methodology of the CT DOT 9/10/2010 memo for the 2011-2040 period is $601,599,965.

Such projects are not listed directly in the HVCEO Transportation Plan. Rather, HVCEO will work cooperatively with CT DOT during the 2011-2040 period to maximize the effectiveness of such expenditures on the Region and not exceed its share, thus remaining fiscally constrained.

It should be noted that as Connecticut places a high priority on maintenance, the funds to pay for it have already been identified in the State’s financial planning guidelines. Accordingly, individual planning regions do not identify funding sources for the costs of keeping state roads and their related infrastructure in good repair.

3. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PROJECTS
OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE 2011-2040

Within the statewide framework of financial constraint, Conn DOT has reserved certain additional theoretically available funds for "Major Projects of Statewide Significance." According to the CT DOT estimate of 9/10/2010, over the 2011-2040 period there will be:

--- $30,600,000 set aside for I-84 interchange modifications from Danbury to Newtown
--- $23,340,000 for widening Route 6 in Danbury from Kenosia Avenue easterly to I-84 Exit 4
--- $12,240,000 for congestion relief on Route 37 at I-84 Exit 6

The total of these three is $66,180,000, to be included within the state capped "Major Projects of Statewide Significance."

4. TOTAL FOR CATEGORIES
1-3 ABOVE FOR 2011-2040

As the above HVCEO system improvement costs are below the cap for that category, and "statewide" and "preservation" categories are maximums already set by CT DOT, this HVCEO Plan is documented as in conformance with the federal fiscal constraint rule.

5. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM TRANSIT 2011-2040

Included in this section are capital and operating costs for Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART) system services as well as commuter rail services. A maximum amount projected to be available by planning region has not been calculated by CT DOT.

Rather, all transit capital spending for the Housatonic Region will be based upon CT DOT's latest Capital Project Management Plan.

This Conn DOT Plan consists of the projects and estimated costs required to bring the existing public transit systems to a state of good repair, to maintain them in that condition, and to replace rolling stock as life cycles dictate. The cost to operate rail and bus transit systems are additional.

Since Conn DOT approval is mandatory for funding and state totals are limited, and since the Capital Project Management Plan is itself appropriately fiscally constrained, meeting the financial constraint requirement for transit for the Region is assured.