Hartford, CT –
State Senator Michael McLachlan (R- Danbury) today joined
with Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and members of the
Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO)
for a meeting with the Commissioner of the Connecticut
Department of Transportation, Joseph Marie. Senator
McLachlan requested the meeting with Commissioner Marie
in a letter dated September 28th, 2009 (attached) after
learning that several key transportation and infrastructure
projects in the greater Danbury area had lost their
priority ranking for 2010.
“Traffic congestion is a major issue for the
people living in the southwestern part of the state,”
said Senator McLachlan. “Not only are important
projects, like the widening of roads and intersection
upgrades, essential to alleviating the traffic and tie-ups
that are a daily occurrence in this area of the state,
they are also essential to the safety of drivers. I
fully understand that these tough economic times make
it especially challenging to continue funding for many
projects but all we are asking for is to be provided
with a clear understanding of why these projects have
been put on hold.”
The projects on tap for the greater Danbury area were
set to cost nearly $46 million. Some of the projects
discussed at today’s meeting are:
- Project # 0034-0313:
I-84 Interchange 6 improvements & Route 37 improvements
to No. Street Shopping Center
- Project # 0034-0288:
Route 6 widening from Kenosia Avenue to I-84
- Project # 0034-0305:
Route 37 at Stacey Road – intersection improvements
- Project # 0034-0324:
Route 53 at Coal Pit Hill Road & Triangle Street
Intersection
- Project # 0034-0309:
SR 806 – Newtown Road at Shelter Rock Road
- Project # 0034-0328:
Intersection of Main Street (Route 53 & Route
39) Downs Street (SR 841) and North Street –
Route 37 & Replacement of Bridge #0955
- Project # 0034-0308:
I-84 Danbury to Newtown: Various Interchange Modifications
The projects listed above are part of a Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP). STIP balances the projected
cost of various transportation projects throughout the
state with the estimated available funding. Federal
regulations indicate that the prioritization of these
projects should be a cooperative effort between the
Department of Transportation and the regions affected
by the projects.
Senator McLachlan expressed particular concern over
Project # 0034-0313: The I-84
Interchange Exit 6 and North Street. This project was
slated to be done during 2009 however, the DOT informed
Senator McLachlan that this project is now also on hold.
In addition, Senator McLachlan expressed concern that
members of the HVCEO weren’t involved in the prioritization
process at all. In fact, HVCEO asked DOT staff to be
involved in the prioritization process on 5.26.2009
but were never included.
“These projects have spent years going through
the lengthy prioritization process and the people in
the greater Danbury area are expecting, and deserve,
some progress,” said Senator McLachlan.
“I appreciate Commissioner Marie meeting with
us today but I believe that the status of these projects
should be reevaluated and I look forward to continuing
to work with the DOT to get these projects rolling as
soon as possible.”
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