08/14/2019
Public Hearing – Project No. 0080-0128, I-84 Interchange 17 Improvements, Construction of Chase Parkway Extension, and Operational Improvements on Route 63, Route 64, and SR 845 in Middlebury and Waterbury
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) will conduct a public hearing concerning the proposed I-84 Interchange 17 Improvements, construction of Chase Parkway Extension, and operational improvements on Route 63, Route 64, and SR 845, on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at the Shepardson Community Center, 1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762. An open forum for individual discussions with Department officials will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 6:30 p.m.
The project is identified as State Project No. 0080-0128.
The purpose of the project is to improve traffic operations and address safety concerns within the project limits. The project involves the following improvements to facilitate traffic operations and address safety concerns:
• Route 64 improvements: It is proposed to widen a section of Route 64 from its intersection with Chase Parkway to Route 63 to provide one additional lane in the westbound direction. It is also proposed to lower Route 64 to improve sight lines which may result in constructing retaining walls on both sides of the roadway to stabilize the embankment slope.
• Route 63 improvements: It is proposed to widen a section of Route 63 from its intersection with Route 64 to Woodside Avenue to provide one additional lane in the southbound direction. The traffic signals at Route 63/Route 64 and Route 63/Woodside Avenue intersections will be replaced to accommodate the proposed approaches at these intersections.
• Construct a new roadway (Chase Parkway Extension) to connect Chase Parkway with Route 63 at the intersection of Woodside Avenue: Chase Parkway Extension will consist of one lane in each direction. A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Chase Parkway Extension and Route 64. A multi-use trail is proposed on the westerly side of the roadway which will connect to the Middlebury Greenway. It is also proposed to construct a new commuter lot at the southeast corner of the Route 63/Woodside Avenue/Chase Parkway Extension intersection.
• Widen the I-84 Westbound Interchange 17 off-ramp to Chase Parkway from one lane to two lanes: An exclusive left turn lane onto Chase Parkway Extension will be provided at this new signalized intersection.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. It is anticipated that two (2) total acquisitions and approximately thirteen (13) partial acquisitions with numerous permanent/temporary easements and temporary rights for construction will be required.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2022 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permits. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $29 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with eighty percent (80%) Federal funds and twenty percent (20%) State funds.
The public hearing is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project.
Written statements and exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the public hearing may be either submitted at the public hearing or may be mailed or delivered to the attention of Susan M. Libatique, P.E., Principal Engineer, Division of Highway Design, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546 on or before October 4, 2019. Such written statements or exhibits must be reproducible in black and white and on paper not to exceed 8 ½ x 11 inches in size. These written statements or exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing and will be considered in the same way as oral statements.
The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting. Persons having a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and instruct the operator to contact (860) 594-2243. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review. Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project. More detailed information is available at the Department’s Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Anyone wishing to discuss the project may contact Susan M. Libatique, P.E. at (860) 594-3179 or by e-mail at susan.libatique@ct.gov. Plans are also available for review at the Town Hall and webpage by August 22, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE:
(860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE:
www.ct.gov/dot
