1. Notice of Scoping for Hop River State Park Trail
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Columbia and Coventry
Project Description: The project is located on the existing Hop River State Park Trail, beginning at its current terminus on Kings Road in Coventry and extending easterly to the trail bridge over the Willimantic River in Columbia. The total length of the project is approximately 4,400 feet.
The project includes the construction of a multi-use trail with a 10 foot wide stone dust surface. Also included in the project, is the construction of a new bridge over the Hop River, just east of Kings Road in Coventry, to replace a former railroad bridge (No. 2.53) that has failed, the replacement of a short bridge (referred to as a "cattle crossing") with concrete pipes, and the replacement of a culvert under Flanders Road in Columbia with a larger one. Signage, fencing, bollards, landscaping, and access control gates will be installed throughout the project limits as appropriate. The addition of a parking lot to the project is being considered north of where Route 66 passes over the Willimantic River. The bridge and the trail lie within right of way owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Bridge No. 2.53 is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and the CT State Historic Preservation Office (CTSHPO) has determined that its replacement will result in an Adverse Effect to Historic Properties. CTDOT will work with CTSHPO to implement the proposed mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge. The SHPO determination including the proposed mitigation measures can be Bridge No. 2.53 is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and the CT State Historic Preservation Office (CTSHPO) has determined that its replacement will result in an Adverse Effect to Historic Properties. CTDOT will work with CTSHPO to implement the proposed mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge. The CTSHPO determination, including the proposed mitigation measures, can be found by clicking here.
Project Map: : Click here to view a map of the project area and Click here for a picture of Bridge No. 2.53.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday July 9, 2021
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting. Such requests must be made by Friday June 18, 2021.
A Public Informational Meeting was previously held on June 25, 2019 and the Meeting Minutes can be accessed here.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting (E-Mail preferred) should be sent to:
Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: dot.EnvironmentalPlanning@ct.gov
If you have questions about the project, contact (E-Mail preferred):
Name: Scott Roberts, P.E., Project Manager
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3232
E-Mail: Scott.Roberts@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.