1. Notice of Scoping for Safety Improvements on Route 82 (Phase 1)
Address of possible location: The project is located on Route 82 (West Main Street) and runs, approximately, from Banas Court (mile point 27.23) to Fairmount Street (mile point 28.13).
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Norwich
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to improve safety on Route 82 between I-395 and the Thames River by reducing the number and severity of crashes within the site limits. This area of Route 82, nearly 1.5 miles long and known locally as "crash alley", experiences a higher than average crash rate, a total of approximately 100 crashes and 35 injuries per year over the last 5-year period. Given the size of the corridor and the complexity of various aspects of design, the project has been split into two phases. This scoping notice and associated CEPA scoping meeting are for Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2 is to be addressed at a future date and will go through CEPA scoping at that time if warranted.
Phase 1 addresses the area between Banas Court and Fairmount Street. The existing roadway is four lanes undivided with sidewalks and narrow shoulders. There are four signalized intersections within this section of Route 82 located at: Dunham Street, Osgood Street, Mount Pleasant Street, and Asylum Street/Mechanic Street. The current proposal involves the removal of a signal and the installation of a single-lane roundabout at: Osgood Street, Mount Pleasant Street, and Asylum Street/Mechanic Street. In addition, a raised median and "road diet" from Durham Street to Asylum/Mechanic Street is being proposed. The "road diet" will reduce Route 82 from four lanes down to two lanes. The edge of the road will be maintained; the median width will will vary as needed; and the roadway cross-section will include: 11-ft travel lanes, 2-ft left shoulders, 5-ft right shoulders, 4-ft snow shelves, and 5-ft sidewalks. At the Durham Street intersection, U-turn capability will be provided for Route 82 westbound traffic to access driveways on the south side of Route 82, until construction of the roundabout at Durham Street is completed with Phase 2.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Phase 1 will require five total property acquisitions on West Main Street. Approximately 44 additional properties will be impacted along the corridor and require either a partial acquisition and/or slope easement.
Project Maps: Click here to view maps of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday July 8, 2022.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: Thursday June 23, 2022
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Kelly Magnet Middle School, 25 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT 06360
NOTES: Additional information about the meeting can be found at the project webpage: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTNorwich103-274. A Question and Answer session will immediately follow the presentation.
The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance 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 questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):
Name: Mr. Scott Bushee, Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOTProject103-274@ct.gov
Phone: In addition to written comments individuals may also leave a voicemail question or comment during scoping period by calling (860) 944-1111. Please reference Project 103-274 in your voicemail.
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: CTDOT 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.