Route 72 extension to open in November

I wrote a handful of stories about the Route 72 extension for today's paper. Here they are:

Route 72: You've come a long way, baby

Traffic on Route 72 will face 'some challenges'

Bristol plans for development of new corridor

I don't see this little piece online so here's another:

How much will it cost?

Pegging the cost of the new Route 72 extension is inherently problematic because so much has been spent over the course of decades that’s not figured into the bottom line from the state.

Manafort Brothers, the New Britain-based general contractor, won the right to build the road three years ago with a $39.7 million bid.

But the state has also spent millions acquiring rights of way, moving utilities, making plans, holding hearings and more.

During groundbreaking for the project, transportation officials guessed that the total tab probably amounted to $61 million over the course of decades. It may even be more, they admitted.

There isn’t a solid figure because the money has come from different transportation accounts, some of which don’t even exist any longer.

But state officials said the construction project is coming in pretty close to budget.

All told, it appears the new road cost a little less than $30 million a mile – or half the per mile cost of the proposed busway between Hartford and New Britain that’s slated to get underway next year. 
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City plans intersection fix on South Street

Next up on the long-term plan for fixing Bristol's jagged junctures is the one at Church, Union and South streets. There's a public hearing on it at the end of the month. For details, see this story.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Farmington Avenue's congestion targeted

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

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