Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

Environmental Monitor

September 20, 2016

  1.  Proposed Commuter Railroad Station, Orange
  2.  Rehabilitation of the Heroes Tunnel, Woodbridge, Hamden, New Haven
  3.  NEW! Safety Improvements on Route 127 at Evers St., Bridgeport
  4.  NEW! Dixwell Q House Community Center Project, New Haven
  5.  NEW! Mulberry Point Water Main Extension, Guilford 
 
     No Post-Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition. 
 
  1.  Norwalk River Railroad Bridge (Walk Bridge) Replacement, Norwalk
 
     No State Land Transfer has been submitted for publication in this edition.

           The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on October 4, 2016.

 
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Notices in the Environmental Monitor are written by the sponsoring agencies and are published unedited. Questions about the content of any notice should be directed to the sponsoring agency.
 

 

"Scoping" is for projects in the earliest stages of planning.  At the scoping stage, detailed information on a project's design, alternatives, and environmental impacts does not yet exist.  Sponsoring agencies are asking for comments from other agencies and from the public as to the scope of alternatives and environmental impacts that should be considered for further study.  Send your comments to the contact person listed for the project by the date indicated.

 

The following Scoping Notices have been submitted for review and comment.
1. Notice of Scoping for Proposed Commuter Railroad Station

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Orange, Connecticut

Address of Possible Project Location:  The proposed project site is located on the eastern end of Salemme Lane, approximately 0.25 miles south of Interstate 95.  The site is bounded on the west by Marsh Hill Road, on the east by the Oyster River, and on the southeast by the Metro North Railroad.  

Project Description: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) is proposing to construct a New Haven Line commuter rail station on the Metro North Railroad in the Town of Orange, CT through a public-private partnership agreement that will include Transit Oriented Development (TOD).  The commuter rail station will include station platforms, canopies, a pedestrian overpass, and a service access road within the existing railroad right-of-way.  A commuter drop-off/pick-up, taxi stand and bus stop areas will be part of the TOD developer's site work. Two new approximately 1020 feet long, canopied station platforms, one bound for New Haven and one bound for Stamford and points west are proposed.  A covered pedestrian bridge will connect the two platforms via stairtowers and elevators.  The Stamford-bound platform will connect to sidewalks leading to a proposed commercial/commuter parking structure that is being constructed as part of a proposed TOD adjacent to the proposed commuter rail station.

The proposed TOD, which is subject to local review and approval, will include improvements and extension of the existing Salemme Lane, and is anticipated to include construction of 6 new buildings, housing 200 dwelling units and approximately 21,500 square feet of retail space, 43 on-street and 80 off-street surface parking spaces, an approximately 800 space parking structure, and associated site landscaping and stormwater management features.  The proposed parking structure will consist of a 3-level 233+/- space section that will be dedicated parking for the TOD development and a second, 6-level, 566+/- space commercial/commuter garage that will serve the rail station.  The Department will share expenses for the portion of the garage dedicated to commuter parking.  The TOD design also provides opportunity for future pedestrian connection with the Yale West Campus to the north. 

Elements of the project associated with the rail station will be funded by the State of Connecticut and the Federal Transit Administration.    

Project Maps:  Click here to view a location map of the project area.

                             Click here to view an illustrative site plan.   

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Friday, October 7, 2016

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

DATE: Thursday, September 8, 2016

TIME: Doors open at 6:30 PM, a presentation will begin at 7:00 PM

PLACE: High Plains Community Center Gymnasium, 525 Orange Center Road, Orange, CT 06477

NOTES:  The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities.  Deaf and hearing impaired persons wishing to attend this meeting and requiring an interpreter may make arrangements by contacting the Department's Office of Communication at 860-594-3062 (voice only) at least five days prior to the meeting.

Written comments should be sent to:

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address:   2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Fax: 860-594-3028
E-Mail: dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Mr. Keith A. Hall, Project Manager
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address:   2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3301
E-Mail: Keith.A.Hall@ct.gov

The Connecticut Department of Transportation's (CTDOT) Environmental Classification Document requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for projects involving the construction of a new rail facility.  CTDOT expects to release an EIE for this project for public review and comment in 2017.

2. Notice of Scoping for Rehabilitation of the Heroes Tunnel (Bridge No. 00773)

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: Woodbridge, Hamden, and New Haven

Address of Possible Project Location: Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway) through West Rock Ridge

Project Description: The Heroes Tunnel, also known as Bridge No. 00773, consists of twin 1,200 foot long horseshoe-shaped tunnels, carrying two lanes of Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway) traffic in each direction through the West Rock Ridge.  The Heroes Tunnel carries approximately 71,000 vehicles daily and is a vital scenic connector between New York and Hartford, as well as an alternate expressway route to Interstate 95 and Interstate 91.

Structural and drainage deficiencies have been identified within the Heroes Tunnel.  The general deterioration necessitates either rehabilitation or replacement.  In addition to the deteriorating condition of the tunnel, other characteristics are substandard such as the electrical and mechanical utilities, all of which would be upgraded or improved through this project. 
 
The project team recently completed a preliminary engineering study where several rehabilitation alternatives were identified, including variations of tunnel rehabilitation, tunnel widening, and construction of a new third barrel.
Project Maps:  Click here to view a location map of the project area.

                          Click here to view an aerial view of the project area. 

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:   Friday, October 7, 2016
There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

DATE: Thursday September 22, 2016

TIME: Open Forum at 6:30 p.m. - Formal Presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Woodbridge Senior Center, 4 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, CT

NOTES: The meeting location is ADA accessible.  If language assistance is needed please contact the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications at 860-594-3062 (voice only) at least five days prior to the meeting.

Written comments should be sent to:

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address:   2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Fax: 860-594-3028
E-Mail: dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov
 
If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
Name: Mr. David A. Cutler, Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address:   2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3210
E-Mail: David.Cutler@ct.gov
The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in late 2017.
3. Notice of Scoping for Safety Improvements on Route 127 at Evers Street

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Bridgeport

Address of Possible Project Location: Route 127 (East Main Street) at Evers Street adjacent to Beardsley Park

Project Description: Route 127 runs in a north/south direction and is classified as urban minor arterial.  The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) on Route 127 within the project is 11,600 vehicles per day, and the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour. The purpose of this project is to improve safety at this intersection by improving Intersection Sight Distance from Evers Street and Beverly Place as well as Stopping Sight Distances on Route 127.  There is a series of rear end and run-off the road accidents that are likely attributed to the limited sightlines to the intersections and left turning vehicles.  In a five year period, between 2010 and 2014, there have been a total of 39 accidents with 27 injuries and 1 fatality.  The proposed improvements include roadside grading and profile adjustments to provide adequate Stopping Sight Distances on Route 127.  The project will also include sliver widening on Route 127 to provide southbound bypass on Route 127 at Evers Street.  Partial acquisitions and easements will be required from Beardsley Park to provide the increased sight distances. 

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:  Friday, October 21, 2016

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 2016

TIME: Presentation at 7:00 p.m. with a Question and Answer Session immediately following

PLACE: Bridgeport City Hall Council Chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT

NOTES:  The meeting location is ADA accessible.  If language assistance is needed please contact the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications at 860-594-3062 (voice only) at least five days prior to the meeting.

Written comments should be sent to:

Name:
Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address:   2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Fax: (860) 594-3028
E-Mail: dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name:
Mr. William W. Britnell, Transportation Principal Engineer
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address:   2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: (860) 594-3274
E-Mail: William.Britnell@ct.gov
4. Notice of Scoping for Dixwell Q House Community Center Project, New Haven, CT

Municipality where proposed project might be located: New Haven, CT

Address of Possible Project Location(s): 197 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven CT

Project Description: Urban Act Grant funds (through the Dept. of Economic and Community Development - DECD) will be used for the construction of a new Dixwell Q House Community Center.  The Center will house a wide variety of activities (gymnasium, senior center, youth resource rooms, museum, dance studio, meeting spaces, kitchen, etc.) along with a branch of the Hill Health Center and the Stetson Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library. The existing structure will be demolished using City funds.  Other state funds will also be used for design of the new center and the library relocation (through the Department of Social Services and State Library, respectively). The DECD will be the sponsoring agency for the project.

Project Maps:  Click here to view a Location Map. Click here to view conceptual plans of the project.   

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Thursday, October 20, 2016

Any person can 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 close of business on Friday, September 30, 2016.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

Name: Binu Chandy
Agency: CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development
Address:   505 Hudson Street, Hartford CT 06106
Fax: 860.706.5740
E-Mail: binu.chandy@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Binu Chandy
Agency: CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development
Address:   505 Hudson Street, Hartford CT 06016
Phone: 860.270.8154
Fax: 860.706.5740
E-Mail: binu.chandy@ct.gov
5. Notice of Scoping for Town of Guilford (Bittner Park)-Mulberry Point Water Main Extension

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Guilford

Addresses of Possible Project Location: Lower Road, Daniel Avenue, Mulberry Point Road, Tuttles Point Road, Charles Street, Marshall Avenue, Decatur Avenue, Highland Street, Meriden Street, Spring Street, Faulkner Drive, Rock Lane, Charles Street, Brown Street, Ruth Lane, Sagamore Street, White Top Lane

Project Description: The Town of Guilford is seeking financial assistance under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program for the extension of water main intended to serve approximately 145 residents which are currently served by private wells. Based on the feasibility study report of the project area, a number of private wells have experienced water quality and quantity problems.  The results of recent well water sampling conducted by the Town showed that numerous private wells have water containing coliform bacteria and E. Coli. In addition, concentrations of nitrate, sodium and chloride are elevated.

The proposed project will comprise of installation of new water main that will be connected to the existing distribution main of the Connecticut Water Company located near the intersection of Colonial Road and Sachem Head Road. The new main will traverse the open area between Vineyard Point and Lower Road, then runs along Daniel Avenue to Mulberry Point.  The water main has been minimally sized to meet the demands for domestic water use and satisfy fire protection requirements specified by the Town Fire Marshall for the intended service area.

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:  Friday, October 21, 2016.

Any person can 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, October 7, 2016.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to

Name: Mr. Eric McPhee
Agency:
Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
Address:   410 Capitol Avenue, MS #51WAT
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Fax: 860-509-7359
E-Mail: DPH.SourceProtection@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Patricia Bisacky
Agency:
Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
Address:   410 Capitol Avenue, MS #51WAT
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860-509-7333
Fax: 860-509-7359
E-Mail: Patricia.Bisacky@ct.gov
 
Post-Scoping Notices: Environmental Impact Evaluation Not Required
 
This category is required by the October 2010 revision of the Generic Environmental Classification Document for State Agencies. A notice is published here if the sponsoring agency, after publication of a scoping notice and consideration of comments received, has determined that an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) does not need to be prepared for the proposed project.

 

No Post-Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
 

After Scoping, an agency that wishes to undertake an action that could significantly affect the environment must produce, for public review and comment, a detailed written evaluation of the expected environmental impacts. This is called an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE).

 

The following EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
1. Notice of EIE for Norwalk River Railroad Bridge (Walk Bridge) Replacement

Municipality where project is proposed: Norwalk, Connecticut

Address of Possible Project Location: New Haven Line Railroad Bridge (Walk Bridge), Bridge No. 42.88R; Mile Post (MP) 41.5 on the New Haven Line, Norwalk River, Norwalk, CT

Project Description: In cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) proposes to replace the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River in South Norwalk.  The purpose of the project is to restore or replace the existing deteriorated bridge with a resilient bridge structure which will enhance the safety and reliability of rail service; offer operational flexibility and ease of maintenance; and provide for increased capacity and efficiencies of rail transportation along the New Haven Line/Northeast Corridor, while maintaining or improving navigational capacity and dependability for marine traffic in the Norwalk River.  Upgrades to the Walk Bridge, through rehabilitation or replacement, are needed to increase bridge reliability, incorporate bridge redundancy, and provide a sustainable bridge for significant weather events, thereby accommodating current and future rail and marine traffic.   

The proposed project includes railroad approaches from the east and west, totaling approximately one-half-track-mile.  Track, catenary, and signal work will be accomplished within the existing state right-of-way, and will extend from approximately the Washington Street Bridge in South Norwalk (Bridge No. 36.93R; MP 41.28) to approximately 300 feet east of the Fort Point Street Bridge in East Norwalk. The Fort Point Street Bridge (Bridge No. 41.31; MP 41.79) will be replaced as part of the project.

Multiple design variations within four groups of alternatives were investigated: No Build, Rehabilitation, Replacement (Movable Bridge), and Replacement (Fixed Bridge).  The Department held multiple meetings with public agencies and project stakeholders, including the public, to identify concerns and requirements for the replacement bridge design and to obtain public and agency input.  With input from those meetings,  the Department determined that the Replacement Alternative (Movable Bridge) would be evaluated in the document and would include the options for a bascule bridge and a vertical lift bridge.  The Department has determined that a Long Span Vertical Lift Bridge is the Preferred Alternative. 

Since this project involves Federal funding, the environmental document is a joint Environmental Assessment (EA)/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) to satisfy both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act.    

Comments on this EA/EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday, October 21, 2016.  The Department will consider all oral and written comments received during the comment period.

The public can view a copy of this EA/EIE at: The Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau of Policy and Planning (Room 2155), 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT; Norwalk City Hall, Town Clerk Office, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT; Norwalk Public Library, 1 Beldon Avenue, Norwalk, CT; East Norwalk Association Library, 51 Van Zant Street, Norwalk, CT; South Norwalk Branch Library, 10 Washington Street, Norwalk, CT; and the Western CT Council of Governments, 1 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT. 

Additionally, the public can view a copy of the project map, the proposed project alternatives, and a copy of the EA/EIE online at: www.walkbridgect.com/environmental

It is also available online at: www.ct.gov/environmentaldocuments

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EA/EIE on:

DATE: Thursday, October 6, 2016

TIME: Open Forum at 6:00 p.m. and Formal Presentation at 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Norwalk City Hall, Concert Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT

NOTES: The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Free language assistance or sign interpretation may be requested by contacting the Program’s Public Information Office at (203) 752-1996 at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting. Efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance.

Additional information about this project can be found online at: www.walkbridgect.com

Send your comments about this EA/EIE to:

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, 06131
E-Mail: info@walkbridgect.com
Please use the subject heading "Walk Bridge Project" for any comments

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EA/EIE, or similar matters, please contact:

Name: Ms. Heather Cwikla
Agency:
WSP / Parsons Brinckerhoff
Address: 424 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511
E-Mail: info@walkbridgect.com
Phone:
(203) 785-0456 ext.137

Other information:

To be added to the Walk Bridge Program communications list or to submit a comment through the project website, please visit www.walkbridgect.com/contact

 
State Land Transfer Notices
 
Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47 requires public notice of most proposed sales and transfers of state-owned lands. The public has an opportunity to comment on any such proposed transfer. Each notice includes an address where comments should be sent. Read more about the process.

 

No Land Transfer Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.
 
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