October 16, 2009

Eastern section of Route 72 won't open early

Press release from Mayor Art Ward:

DOT reconsiders opening a portion of new Route 72

Bristol, CT, October 16, 2009 In a prepared release, Mayor Arthur J. Ward stated that he was in receipt of a letter from the Connecticut Department of Transportation regarding the potential opening of a section of the new Route 72. The letter stated that the DOT acknowledged his concerns in the letter he sent to the Department on August 20, 2009 where they originally had considered opening section on Route 72 between the end of the existing expressway and Central Street in Bristol.

The DOT went on to say that they “try to balance their strong commitment to keeping our projects on schedule, while recognizing the need to be sensitive to local concerns and potential adverse traffic impacts.”

After reviewing the City’s concerns, the DOT decided it will not pursue opening the Relocated Route 72 until such time that areas of the project to the West are substantially complete, and the entire length of the project will be able to open. The timeframe for this is anticipated to be in the summer of 2010.

The Department assured the Mayor that it will take all necessary measure to improve and maintain the condition of Pine Street for east-west traffic pending the reconstruction in the spring.

Mayor Ward stated, “I am very thankful to the DOT for taking our concerns under consideration and will continue to work together with the DOT to complete this worthwhile, yet challenging project.”

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fantastic timing, I would say.

Tired of his games... said...

Of course it is. Artie is good at holding back issues until election time. 14 yrs on the council he did learn something - how to be sneaky and underhanded.

Anonymous said...

Sneaky and underhanded? You mean like someone who would insult and criticize the mayor anonymously? Good example!

Anonymous said...

WOW BIG DEAL! That should put you over the top.Wake up town hear comes the snow job.

Anonymous said...

10:06 - ADULT ED

NOT mine said...

good idea ..... let the finished section sit and deteriorate so the unions can be repaid to rehab it at a later date .

Anonymous said...

PLEASE PAVE PINE ST IT IS HORRIBLE I SURE WOULD NOT WANT TO GET OFF THE NEW ROAD AND DRIVE ON THAT NIGHTMARE. WELCOME TO BRISTOL I GUESS.

Steve Collins said...

The state will be rebuilding Pine Street next year. There's no point in doing a little paving now.

Anonymous said...

10:39 Get a clue. You must work for the city.

A Bristol resident said...

Ok Steve... you try driving down Pine Street during the winter without any repair work being done. The City's push to delay the opening is so typical of the way things get done here. I have to agree with NOT mine... you've got a perfectly good road that's just going to sit and rot for 9-10 months. Its a moronic choice by Artie and company.

Anonymous said...

8:35am see your name is real?

Bristol Taxpayer... said...

Stupid idea by Ward and his union buddies, but its election time and Ward is out for Ward.

Anonymous said...

7:22 p.m.

Nope. I'm just a citizen of Bristol who's tired of hearing anonymous twits bash our elected officials, especially when the "bashers" can barely spell or put together a coherent sentence.

Anonymous said...

9:55, Unlike you, I'm not on here bashing public officials anonymously...just commenting on the nasty, small-minded fools who do.

buns-up said...

9:58 - you with the pillsbury dough boy mentality - what does the union have to do with the timing of the opening of one section of the road? - Go back to kneading your paunch-belly dough boy.