The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is reevaluating the design of Route 82-West Main Street in Norwich, a 1.3 mile stretch with six roundabouts, a median divider, and single traffic lanes in each direction.
A statement by the CTDOT on Friday said the agency remains “fully committed to moving forward with the safety improvements project on Route 82 in Norwich,” but will “reassess the project design” based on input from the public during a June 23 presentation.
“CTDOT values community input and believes the safety and travel benefits intended through this project can be achieved while addressing the feedback that will allow us to have a viable project,” the DOT said in the statement.
Connecticut Senator Cathy Osten whose district includes Norwich, issued a news release Friday “welcoming” a decision by DOT to reevaluate the controversial plan.”
She has cited meetings she has had with State Representative Kevin Ryan and the CTDOT about concerns with the project.
“Representative Ryan and I have been working with the DOT for months now on this project, because we always believed, based on our discussions with local residents, that it was far too broad,” Senator Osten said in a news release. “So, we're thrilled that the DOT is now re-evaluating it.”
"Norwich City Council members asked Senator Osten and I to do what we could to communicate the concerns of the council and city residents to the DOT,” Representative Ryan said in the news release, “And we did that. Now the project is being re-evaluated. That's a big win for Norwich and for local businesses."
The $45 million, two-phase project received broad criticism locally, with “No. 6 Roundabouts” signs joining election campaign signs in front of city homes and businesses.
The $20 million first phase from Asylum to Dunham streets, with three planned roundabouts and the acquisition of five commercial properties, was slated to start construction in 2025.
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Source: CTDOT, TheDay.com
