2. Notice of Scoping for Retaining Wall Replacement Along Route 44
Address of possible location: Route 44 (Pomfret Street) from Mile Point 99.4 to 99.7, north of the intersection of Route 44 and Sabin Street to the intersection of Route 44 and Church Street. Adjacent to Cargill Falls Mill site.
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Putnam
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to replace a section of retaining wall that supports Route 44 in the Town of Putnam to ensure the safety of the traveling public. The existing rubble stone retaining wall has shown visual signs of deterioration. Proposed improvements to the wall include replacing approximately 270 feet of the existing wall that supports Route 44. The improvement will also include approximately 500 feet of full-depth reconstruction adjacent to the retaining wall. The proposed roadway cross-section will match the existing cross-section with 11-foot travel lanes and 4-foot shoulders in each direction, and a 5- foot concrete sidewalk. Approximately 1,400 feet of sidewalk will be reconstructed to extend beyond the roadway construction limits due to the poor condition of adjoining sidewalk. Roadside safety appurtenances atop the retaining wall will be upgraded to current design standards. The retaining wall has been determined to be a contributing element of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-listed Cargill Falls Historic District. Coordination with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office has determined that the project will result in an Adverse Effect to the mill site under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. The impacts include construction easements to complete the proposed improvements to the existing retaining wall. A permanent maintenance easement will be granted to the State of Connecticut (State) for the maintenance of the retaining wall. Rights to grade and construct driveway will also be required. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026, based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights-of-way and approval of permit(s).
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: August 16, 2024.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: July 31, 2024
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: Virtual
NOTES: Please register for the Virtual Public Information Meeting at http://portal.ct.gov/DOTPutnam0115-0122. Registration is required to participate. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the meeting.
Members of the public may submit comments and questions through August 16, 2024 to: DOTProject0115-0122@ct.gov and (860) 594-2020, or directly to Meredith Andrews, P.E., Project Manager, at Meredith.Andrews@ct.gov.
This meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube and closed captioning will be available. Non-English translation options will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be available on CTDOT’s YouTube Virtual Public Information Meeting playlist: https://portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.
Persons with limited internet access may use the call-in number (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 872 3485 6958. Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting: Meredith Andrews, P.E., Project Manager, at Meredith.Andrews@ct.gov.
Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
Language assistance may be requested by contacting CTDOT’s Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five 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.
Additional information about the project can be viewed online at: http://portal.ct.gov/DOTPutnam0115-0122
Written comments and/or questions about the meeting or project should be sent to:
Name: Ms. Meredith Andrews, Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOTProject0115-0122@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.