Route 6 may be widened in a few years. See the story.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label Route 6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Route 6. Show all posts
March 11, 2010
November 21, 2008
City pushing for $7 M road widening for Farmington Avenue
Prodded by City Hall, state transportation experts have come up with a preliminary $7 million plan to widen a congested stretch of Farmington Avenue.
“That’s an area of town that definitely, definitely needs to be addressed,” said Mayor Art Ward.
Ward said that the congestion on the eastern end of Farmington Avenue poses “a great impediment” to the flow of traffic in town.
To provide for two eastbound lanes between Boardman Street and the Farmington town line would cost about $5 million and another $1.6 million to repave it, according to an October 2007 letter from John Carey, manager of traffic engineering for the state Department of Transportation.
The growing traffic tie-ups in the area are caused by the rapid development along Farmington Avenue, including Wal-Mart, Home Depot, L.A. Fitness and expansions to older shopping plazas.
In a February 2007 letter to the city, Carey said that Bristol “continues to encourage large and small scale development along the Route 6 corridor without a plan to address” right of way limitations and traffic congestion.
Ward said that an extra lane could be added without taking any of the buildings lining the roadway.
He said that a city street could be constructed behind the houses that stretch along the south side of Farmington Avenue between Stafford Avenue and Britton Road in order to give those residents easy access to their homes.
Ward said that he’s pushing for U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol, and state lawmakers to secure the necessary funding.
Police Lt. Kevin Morrell, who heads the traffic division, wrote in a recent memo to the mayor that there is “a great deal of interest” among the politicians in pushing the project along.
The next step is to find the funding for the transportation department to prepare a detailed blueprint for the project, according to Morrell.
State officials said that getting the money is “the main issue at this point,” Morrell said.
The Route 6 Business Association favors the project, Morrell said.
Morrell said that after watching traffic in the area, he sees an “obvious need” for an extra eastbound lane.
Click here for a PDF of memos and correspondence about this project.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“That’s an area of town that definitely, definitely needs to be addressed,” said Mayor Art Ward.
Ward said that the congestion on the eastern end of Farmington Avenue poses “a great impediment” to the flow of traffic in town.
To provide for two eastbound lanes between Boardman Street and the Farmington town line would cost about $5 million and another $1.6 million to repave it, according to an October 2007 letter from John Carey, manager of traffic engineering for the state Department of Transportation.
The growing traffic tie-ups in the area are caused by the rapid development along Farmington Avenue, including Wal-Mart, Home Depot, L.A. Fitness and expansions to older shopping plazas.
In a February 2007 letter to the city, Carey said that Bristol “continues to encourage large and small scale development along the Route 6 corridor without a plan to address” right of way limitations and traffic congestion.
Ward said that an extra lane could be added without taking any of the buildings lining the roadway.
He said that a city street could be constructed behind the houses that stretch along the south side of Farmington Avenue between Stafford Avenue and Britton Road in order to give those residents easy access to their homes.
Ward said that he’s pushing for U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol, and state lawmakers to secure the necessary funding.
Police Lt. Kevin Morrell, who heads the traffic division, wrote in a recent memo to the mayor that there is “a great deal of interest” among the politicians in pushing the project along.
The next step is to find the funding for the transportation department to prepare a detailed blueprint for the project, according to Morrell.
State officials said that getting the money is “the main issue at this point,” Morrell said.
The Route 6 Business Association favors the project, Morrell said.
Morrell said that after watching traffic in the area, he sees an “obvious need” for an extra eastbound lane.
Click here for a PDF of memos and correspondence about this project.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
March 28, 2008
Maple End drainage project gets state OK
A notoriously flood-prone section of Route 6 will be fixed, thanks to funding approved Friday by the State Bond Commission.
The $8.2 million project will stretch from Maple End to near the Bristol Commons shopping plaza, according to state Rep. Frank Nicastro.
"That whole Maple End area has to be corrected," said Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat. "We have massive, severe flooding problems there."
The bonding funds will pay to replace a massive culvert between Burlington Avenue and the Northside Square shopping center on North Main Street.
The new culvert would cross the tracks and generally follow Route 6 to the west before cutting under the state road in front Best Cleaners and connecting to another culvert at Northside Square.
"It's something that's definitely needed," said Rep. Ron Burns, a Bristol Republican. "It's a good move to fix it up."
Now that the addition of commuter rail is a possibility on the tracks that cross Route 6 at Maple End, said Burns, it makes even more sense to fix the drainage problem.
"That's another additional benefit we'll get out of the correction of that intersection," said Burns.
Nicastro said other flood repair projects, including one on Lexington and Concord streets, have been stalled, waiting for the Route 6 work.
"This is a major breakthrough for the city," said Nicastro. "This is going to help us immensely."
While in progress, the project will no doubt cause some traffic headaches, Nicastro said, but the result will be a safer road.
Nicastro said he didn't have a projected start date and did not know how long it will take to complete the work once it is started.
The state cash, said Nicastro, should cover the whole cost of the project.
The $8.2 million project will stretch from Maple End to near the Bristol Commons shopping plaza, according to state Rep. Frank Nicastro.
"That whole Maple End area has to be corrected," said Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat. "We have massive, severe flooding problems there."
The bonding funds will pay to replace a massive culvert between Burlington Avenue and the Northside Square shopping center on North Main Street.
The new culvert would cross the tracks and generally follow Route 6 to the west before cutting under the state road in front Best Cleaners and connecting to another culvert at Northside Square.
"It's something that's definitely needed," said Rep. Ron Burns, a Bristol Republican. "It's a good move to fix it up."
Now that the addition of commuter rail is a possibility on the tracks that cross Route 6 at Maple End, said Burns, it makes even more sense to fix the drainage problem.
"That's another additional benefit we'll get out of the correction of that intersection," said Burns.
Nicastro said other flood repair projects, including one on Lexington and Concord streets, have been stalled, waiting for the Route 6 work.
"This is a major breakthrough for the city," said Nicastro. "This is going to help us immensely."
While in progress, the project will no doubt cause some traffic headaches, Nicastro said, but the result will be a safer road.
Nicastro said he didn't have a projected start date and did not know how long it will take to complete the work once it is started.
The state cash, said Nicastro, should cover the whole cost of the project.
Press release from state Reps. Ron Burns and Bill Hamzy:
The State Bond Commission has approved $8,171,540 in state funding for a drainage improvement project on Route 6, which should alleviate flooding that occasionally impedes traffic flow and creates unsafe driving conditions during and after heavy rain storms, state Representatives Ron Burns and William A. Hamzy said today.
The bond commission approved the funding at its regular monthly meeting Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“Anyone who has driven through a three to four inch pool of water on Route 6 during and after heavy rain storms understands the need fir this long-overdue project,” said Representative Burns, R-77th District, whose district includes sections of Route 6. “When the storm drains back up and water pools on the street, traffic slows to a crawl. If the flooding gets worse, engines can stall and block traffic. After the work is completed, news photos and television footage of flooded streets and vehicles throwing up rooster tails will be a thing of the past.”
“Flooding on Route 6 has been a problem for as long as I can remember,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78th District, whose law offices are located on Route 6 in Bristol. “As someone who takes Route 6 to work almost every day, I am very familiar with the drainage problems there. In addition to interfering with traffic flow, even an inch or two of water pooling in the street can cause vehicles to hydroplane and result in serious accidents. I have driven through sections of Route 6 that become almost impassable during exceptionally heavy rainstorms. This project should put an end to those kinds of traffic hazards and make the road safer for commuters, shoppers and commercial vehicles alike.”
The project involves the replacement of a culvert between Burlington Avenue and the Northside Square shopping center on North Main Street. The culvert will cross the railroad tracks near the Whole Donut Shop and follow Route 6 to the west before going under the state road in front of Best Cleaners and connecting to another culvert at Northside Square.
For more information on the project, click here
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The State Bond Commission has approved $8,171,540 in state funding for a drainage improvement project on Route 6, which should alleviate flooding that occasionally impedes traffic flow and creates unsafe driving conditions during and after heavy rain storms, state Representatives Ron Burns and William A. Hamzy said today.
The bond commission approved the funding at its regular monthly meeting Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“Anyone who has driven through a three to four inch pool of water on Route 6 during and after heavy rain storms understands the need fir this long-overdue project,” said Representative Burns, R-77th District, whose district includes sections of Route 6. “When the storm drains back up and water pools on the street, traffic slows to a crawl. If the flooding gets worse, engines can stall and block traffic. After the work is completed, news photos and television footage of flooded streets and vehicles throwing up rooster tails will be a thing of the past.”
“Flooding on Route 6 has been a problem for as long as I can remember,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78th District, whose law offices are located on Route 6 in Bristol. “As someone who takes Route 6 to work almost every day, I am very familiar with the drainage problems there. In addition to interfering with traffic flow, even an inch or two of water pooling in the street can cause vehicles to hydroplane and result in serious accidents. I have driven through sections of Route 6 that become almost impassable during exceptionally heavy rainstorms. This project should put an end to those kinds of traffic hazards and make the road safer for commuters, shoppers and commercial vehicles alike.”
The project involves the replacement of a culvert between Burlington Avenue and the Northside Square shopping center on North Main Street. The culvert will cross the railroad tracks near the Whole Donut Shop and follow Route 6 to the west before going under the state road in front of Best Cleaners and connecting to another culvert at Northside Square.
For more information on the project, click here
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
March 20, 2008
Colapietro praises money allocation for Route 6 drainage project
New press release from state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat:
Improvements to drainage systems are on the way to Route 6 in Bristol as the State Bond Commission is slated to approve $8,171,540 for the repairs when it meets next week, news that state Senator Thomas A. Colapietro (D-Bristol) today welcomed.
The project includes installation of a new, large culvert to catch water where the railroad tracks intercept Route 6. It also includes another connected culvert and several other improvements to the roadway.
“I’m very glad that this money is on the bond agenda and that this road will get the drainage repairs that it needs,” said Senator Colapietro, who sits on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee. “The flooding in that area is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.”
Little more than a year ago, Senator Colapietro worked with former city councilman Tom Levine to try to broker a deal for the repairs. While those efforts were unsuccessful, Senator Colapietro today said that the important thing is that the roadway will finally be repaired.
“That piece of road where it meets the railroad tracks has been a problem for quite a while,” said Senator Colapietro. “While we tried to work with the railroad before to make the repairs, the important thing is that the plans are on file, the funds are on their way, the construction can get going and this road can finally drain properly.”
The funding is part of a $30 million allocation for road repairs across the state and is part of the Fix-it-First road and bridge repair and replacement program authorized by the General Assembly last year.
The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet on Friday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Improvements to drainage systems are on the way to Route 6 in Bristol as the State Bond Commission is slated to approve $8,171,540 for the repairs when it meets next week, news that state Senator Thomas A. Colapietro (D-Bristol) today welcomed.
The project includes installation of a new, large culvert to catch water where the railroad tracks intercept Route 6. It also includes another connected culvert and several other improvements to the roadway.
“I’m very glad that this money is on the bond agenda and that this road will get the drainage repairs that it needs,” said Senator Colapietro, who sits on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee. “The flooding in that area is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.”
Little more than a year ago, Senator Colapietro worked with former city councilman Tom Levine to try to broker a deal for the repairs. While those efforts were unsuccessful, Senator Colapietro today said that the important thing is that the roadway will finally be repaired.
“That piece of road where it meets the railroad tracks has been a problem for quite a while,” said Senator Colapietro. “While we tried to work with the railroad before to make the repairs, the important thing is that the plans are on file, the funds are on their way, the construction can get going and this road can finally drain properly.”
The funding is part of a $30 million allocation for road repairs across the state and is part of the Fix-it-First road and bridge repair and replacement program authorized by the General Assembly last year.
The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet on Friday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
March 19, 2008
Maple End flood control project on tap
An $8.2 million drainage improvement project along Route 6 is likely to gain approval from the State Bond Commission this month.At least most of the money is earmarked to replace a massive culvert between Burlington Avenue and the Northside Square shopping center on North Main Street.
“That’s been on the table a long time,” said Mayor Art Ward. “That will be great to get that cleaned up.”
Gov. Jodi Rell announced Wednesday that $8.2 million in funding for the Route 6 drainage improvements will be on the March 28 bond commission agenda. Almost everything that reaches the bond panel is approved.
“This investment will make Route 6 a safer road,” Rell said in a prepared statement. “Fixing the drainage problems on Route 6 in Bristol will not only help in preventing accidents on that stretch but will also benefit businesses in the area.”
According to plans that have been on file with the city’s public works department since 2006, the state plans to intercept water along the railroad tracks beside the Whole Donut shop and funnel it into a new culvert, which would also capture other water in the area.
The new culvert would cross the tracks and generally follow Route 6 to the west before cutting under the state road in front Best Cleaners and connecting to another culvert at Northside Square.
Many related improvements are also shown on the plans.
“It’ll be a big improvement,” said City Engineer Paul Strawderman.
Though officials warn the area will be a mess during construction, they say that once it’s done, businesses, residents and motorists will benefit from a safer, dryer road.
Ward said that flood control projects in nearby neighborhoods have been on hold for years until the state could fix the Maple End flooding woes.
Once the state work is done, he said, the city can begin to address other concerns in the vicinity.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
State to make $8 million in repairs to Route 6 drainage
And another one, just in from Gov. Jodi Rell's office:
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that more than $8.1 million in state funding to improve drainage on Route 6 in Bristol is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets March 28.
The funding of $8,171,540 is part of a further $30 million allotment that Governor Rell is authorizing to pay for five major road projects.
“This investment will make Route 6 a safer road,” Governor Rell said. “I have made road safety a priority in my budget, and on all of our roads and bridges we are making necessary upgrades so that any and all hazards are addressed. Fixing the drainage problems on Route 6 in Bristol will not only help in preventing accidents on that stretch but will also benefit businesses in the area.”
In October, Governor Rell led a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited, four-lane extension of Route 72 in Bristol. The $39 million project calls for a 2.4-mile, four-lane section of highway extending from Route 372 (the end of the existing Route 72 roadway leading off I-84 in Plainville) to Middle Street in Bristol. It will include a new bridge over the Pequabuck River and a new pedestrian bridge over the new section of Route 72 near Forest Street. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.
Since taking office, Governor Rell has approved more than $3.5 billion in investments in transportation, including a fleet of new rail cars for Metro-North, major improvements to all of the Interstates in Connecticut, new transit buses and a busway linking Hartford and New Britain.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that more than $8.1 million in state funding to improve drainage on Route 6 in Bristol is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets March 28.
The funding of $8,171,540 is part of a further $30 million allotment that Governor Rell is authorizing to pay for five major road projects.
“This investment will make Route 6 a safer road,” Governor Rell said. “I have made road safety a priority in my budget, and on all of our roads and bridges we are making necessary upgrades so that any and all hazards are addressed. Fixing the drainage problems on Route 6 in Bristol will not only help in preventing accidents on that stretch but will also benefit businesses in the area.”
In October, Governor Rell led a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited, four-lane extension of Route 72 in Bristol. The $39 million project calls for a 2.4-mile, four-lane section of highway extending from Route 372 (the end of the existing Route 72 roadway leading off I-84 in Plainville) to Middle Street in Bristol. It will include a new bridge over the Pequabuck River and a new pedestrian bridge over the new section of Route 72 near Forest Street. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.
Since taking office, Governor Rell has approved more than $3.5 billion in investments in transportation, including a fleet of new rail cars for Metro-North, major improvements to all of the Interstates in Connecticut, new transit buses and a busway linking Hartford and New Britain.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 23, 2007
Stortz taking on Route 6 congestion
The latest press release from Mayor William Stortz:
In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz provided an update on Route 6 traffic and safety issues.
Said Stortz, “For some time, traffic congestion on Route 6, especially east of Brook Street/Mix Street has been an issue. With business activity expanding in the area, traffic especially during commuting hours and Saturdays, has been a problem.
A series of meetings have been held, with State officials, City officials and stakeholders. The State has been cooperative and has been, and is, working at addressing the issue.”
Stortz continued, “While some improvements can be made by modifying signalization, and by better planning as new businesses locate in this stretch of highway, major improvements will more than likely require land acquisition.”
Stortz said, “We are looking forward to additional meetings in the near future to review what State DOT officials have developed, and to work with them as we address this key problem, a problem that impedes economic development, as well as creating neighborhood traffic and safety issues.
While we realize that this will take time to resolve, we are confident that changes can be made in the near future to help alleviate the problem.”
Stortz concluded, “In addition, I have written a letter to DOT Commissioner Carpenter, to look at the section of Route 6 from the North Main Street area west to the town of Plymouth.
Having experienced two fatal, and very emotional accidents on this stretch in the recent past, I felt that action has to be taken.
Since that is a State highway, DOT would have the key role in making any changes or recommendations, as to signage, or possibly changes to the road itself.
Commissioner Carpenter did respond, and indicated that DOT would work with our Police Department to review that portion of the road and effect appropriate changes.
Both sections are of interest and concern and I do appreciate Commissioner Carpenter’s and DOT’s willingness to address these issues for the overall betterment of Bristol.”
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz provided an update on Route 6 traffic and safety issues.
Said Stortz, “For some time, traffic congestion on Route 6, especially east of Brook Street/Mix Street has been an issue. With business activity expanding in the area, traffic especially during commuting hours and Saturdays, has been a problem.
A series of meetings have been held, with State officials, City officials and stakeholders. The State has been cooperative and has been, and is, working at addressing the issue.”
Stortz continued, “While some improvements can be made by modifying signalization, and by better planning as new businesses locate in this stretch of highway, major improvements will more than likely require land acquisition.”
Stortz said, “We are looking forward to additional meetings in the near future to review what State DOT officials have developed, and to work with them as we address this key problem, a problem that impedes economic development, as well as creating neighborhood traffic and safety issues.
While we realize that this will take time to resolve, we are confident that changes can be made in the near future to help alleviate the problem.”
Stortz concluded, “In addition, I have written a letter to DOT Commissioner Carpenter, to look at the section of Route 6 from the North Main Street area west to the town of Plymouth.
Having experienced two fatal, and very emotional accidents on this stretch in the recent past, I felt that action has to be taken.
Since that is a State highway, DOT would have the key role in making any changes or recommendations, as to signage, or possibly changes to the road itself.
Commissioner Carpenter did respond, and indicated that DOT would work with our Police Department to review that portion of the road and effect appropriate changes.
Both sections are of interest and concern and I do appreciate Commissioner Carpenter’s and DOT’s willingness to address these issues for the overall betterment of Bristol.”
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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