1. Notice of Scoping for Relocation of Route 8 Southbound (SB) Interchange 34
Address of possible location: Route 8 in the southbound (SB) direction and on the local roadway network within the vicinity of Interchange 35 On-ramp (Route 73) and Interchange 34 Off-ramp. The proposed project area encompasses Route 8 SB from Mile Marker 31.56 to Mile Marker 30.62. The existing Interchange 35 On-Ramp begins at E. Aurora Street. The existing Interchange 34 Off-Ramp terminates at West Main Street. The local roadway network of interest extends from E. Aurora Street to the north, West Main Street to the south, Grandview Avenue to the west and northbound (NB) Watertown Avenue to the east.
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Waterbury
Project Description: The purpose of this project is to improve safety, traffic flow, and air quality by reducing traffic congestion on West Main Street and Route 8 SB in the vicinity of Interchanges 34 and 35. Currently, Watertown Avenue is a separated pair of one-way roads between West Main Street and Robbins Street with SB Watertown Avenue located west of Route 8 and NB Watertown Avenue located east of Route 8. Immediately to the west of Route 8, the SB Watertown Avenue and Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp approach West Main Street adjacent to but separated from each other.
This project proposes to relocate the Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp from the current terminus at West Main Street further north to the intersection of Robbins Street at Watertown Avenue to improve traffic operations along the West Main Street corridor. The existing Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp will be repurposed to convert SB Watertown Avenue to a bi-directional roadway. The existing NB Watertown Avenue alignment to the east of Route 8 will be closed; the on-ramp to Route 8 NB will remain open. Additional lane configuration and traffic signal improvements would be provided at the project intersections of West Main Street at Watertown Avenue and Riverside Streets. The intersection of West Main Street at Highland Avenue, located to the west, is proposed to convert to traffic signal control with lane configuration improvements. Intersection improvements, including a new traffic signal, are also proposed at the intersection of Watertown Avenue at Robbins Street and the realigned Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp. To accommodate the relocation of the Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp further north, modifications are also proposed to the Route 8 SB Interchange 35 On-Ramp to extend the auxiliary lane between the Interchange 35 On-Ramp and Interchange 34 Off-Ramp.
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Thursday, November 30, 2023.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: Chase Park House, 150 Sunnyside Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06708
NOTES: The meeting location is ADA accessible. Language assistance, including American Sign Language, may be requested by contacting CTDOT's Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Comments/questions about the public meeting, or comments/questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):
Name: Mr. Jonathan Dean, Project Manager
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Jonathan.Dean@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.