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June 7, 2022

Scoping Notice

  1. Notice of Scoping for Elimination of Bridge Nos. 00388 and 00389 (Route 17) and Construction of Roundabout, Glastonbury.
  2. New! Notice of Scoping for Safety Improvements on Route 82 (Phase 1), Norwich.

Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)

  1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for South Campus Residence Hall at the University of Connecticut, Mansfield.

Post-Scoping Notice

  1. NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment Project at the University of Connecticut, Mansfield.

Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)

     No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

Agency Record of Decision

     No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

OPM Determination of Adequacy

     No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

State Land Transfer

     No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

 

The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on June 21, 2022.
 
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Notices in the Environmental Monitor are written and formatted by the sponsoring agencies and are published unedited. Questions about the content of any notice should be directed to the sponsoring agency.

Inquiries and requests to view or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency.



Scoping Notice

"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. Read More


The following Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Notice of Scoping for Elimination of Bridge Nos. 00388 and 00389 (Route 17) and Construction of Roundabout

Address of possible locationBridge No. 00388 carries Route 17 Northbound (NB) over Route 17 Southbound (SB) Ramp 007. 

Bridge No. 00389 carries Route 17 SB Ramp 007 over New London Turnpike.   

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Glastonbury

Project Description:  The purpose of this project is to address deficiencies identified during inspections.  Based on field inspections, engineering analysis and a review of CTDOT's Bridge Inspection Reports, the deck of Bridge No. 00388 was found to be in poor condition.  The bridge was found to be functionally obsolete due to the existing minimum vertical clearance being less than current CTDOT design criteria for an existing bridge over a freeway. The following concerns were noted with Bridge No. 00388:

  • Large areas of map cracking and hollow sounding concrete on the underside of the deck
  • Deck deterioration of 30 percent
  • Areas of peeling paint
  • Cracks in abutments

The proposed project involves the removal of the superstructure of Bridge No. 00388.  The superstructure and substructure of Bridge No. 00389 (Route 17 SB Ramp 007 over New London Turnpike) will also be removed. The existing Bridge No. 00388 span under Route 17 NB will be filled and a new roadway will be constructed on top of the filled span. The Route 17 SB Ramp 007 pavement will be removed from the beginning of the ramp to the New London Turnpike/Oak Street intersection.  Route 17 SB Ramp 005 will be reconfigured at the intersection with New London Turnpike and a new roundabout will be constructed.

A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of New London Turnpike, Oak Street and Williams Street E.  In addition, there may be some work on the Route 17 NB on-ramp from the New London Turnpike which would include reconfiguration of the ramp and pavement removal. 

Project MapsClick here to view a map of the project area. Click here to view the pavement limits of the project. 

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: June 27, 2022.

There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:

DATEMonday June 13, 2022

TIME7:00 p.m.

PLACEVirtual Meeting

NOTES:  The meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube Live.  The presentation will be recorded. Instructions on how to access the meeting and on how to provide comments or ask questions can be found at the project website prior to the meeting at: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTGlastonbury53-189.  

 

Persons with limited internet access may request that project information be mailed to them by contacting Jonathan Kang by email at Jonathan.Kang@ct.gov or by phone at 860-594-2754.  Allow one week for processing and delivery.  

 

Persons with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling 1-888-566-5916and entering the Participant Code when prompted: 9977843.  Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).  The MS Teams Live Event offers closed-captioning for the hearing impaired and non-English translation options.  A recording of the formal presentation will be posted to YouTube following the event and closed-captioning (including non-English translation options) will be available at that time.  The recording will also be available in the list of DOT virtual public meetings here: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/general/CTDOT-VPIM-Library.

 

Visit the project webpage for options for Apple users.  During the Q&A session and the comment period that follows the meeting, individuals may leave questions or comments via email (preferred) at DOTProject53-189@ct.gov. Individuals may also leave a voicemail question or comment by calling 860-944-1111. Please reference project No. 53-189 in your voicemail.  

 

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department'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. 

   

 Comments, questions about the public meeting, or questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):

Name: Mr. Jonathan Kang, Transportation Engineer

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone: 860-594-2754

E-Mail: Jonathan.Kang@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:
 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.


 2. Notice of Scoping for Safety Improvements on Route 82 (Phase 1)

Address of possible locationThe 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:

DATEThursday June 23, 2022

TIME7:00 p.m.

PLACEKelly 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.


Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)

If an agency is unable to publish a Post-Scoping Notice within six months after the comment period for scoping, the agency will publish an update with an action status and an estimate as to when a Post-Scoping Notice will be published. Such an update will be published by the agency at six-month intervals until the Post-Scoping Notice is published. Read More


The following notice for additional time has been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for South Campus Residence Hall at the University of Connecticut

Address of Possible Project Location: Gilbert Road

Municipality where proposed action would be located: Mansfield

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On November 16, 2021, the University of Connecticut published a Notice of Scoping (https://portal.ct.gov/CEQ/Environmental-Monitor/Environmental-Monitor-Archives/2021/November-16-2021) to solicit public comments for this action in the Environmental Monitor. The University is currently unable to publish its determination regarding this action.

Action Status: Evaluating comments and developing design.

Estimated Publication Date: The University of Connecticut estimates a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before November 8, 2022.

If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:

Name:James Libby, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB

  Agency: University Planning, Design and Construction

Address:31 LeDoyt Rd, Unit 3038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3038

Fax: (860) 486-3117

E-mail: james.libby@uconn.edu

What Happens Next: The University of Connecticut 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 CEPA. A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.


Post-Scoping Notice

A Post-Scoping Notice is the determination by a sponsoring agency, after publication of a Scoping Notice and consideration of comments received, whether an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) needs to be prepared for a proposed State action. Read More


The following Post-Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Post-Scoping Notice for Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment Project at the University of Connecticut

Project Title: Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment

Address of Possible Project Location: 1 South Eagleville Road

Municipality where it would be located: Mansfield

CEPA Determination: The University of Connecticut is planning a design-build project to redevelop the Mansfield Apartment complex. Beginning on February 22. 2022, the University of Connecticut published the first of three Scoping Notices to solicit public comments for this proposed action in the Environmental Monitor.public scoping meeting was held virtually on March 10, 2022, and the 30-day comment period closed on March 24, 2022. 

Comments were received from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Mansfield Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Mansfield Town Council in writing during the public comment period. Comments were received verbally or through the chat feature from four individuals during the scoping meeting.  A summary of comments and responses may be found at https://updc.uconn.edu/mansfield-apts/.

Upon consideration of the comments received, the University of Connecticut has determined to proceed with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE).

If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:

Name: John Robitaille, AIA, CSI

Agency: University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction

Address: 31 LeDoyt Rd, Unit 3038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3038

Fax: (860) 486-3117

E-mail: john.robitaille@uconn.edu

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted at https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/.

What Happens Next: The Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment project has just completed the Pre-Design phase and is scheduled to conclude the subsequent design phase by Fall 2022.  The University anticipates demolition to begin by Spring 2023 and complete construction in Spring 2025.

The University of Connecticut is preparing an EIE and is continuing engineering & design of the proposed Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment project. When the EIE is completed, it will be published in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor and presented for public comment.


EIE Notice

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)Read More


No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


Agency Record of Decision

After an ;Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed, an agency will prepare a concise public record of decision, which takes into consideration the agency’s findings in the EIE, and any comments received on that evaluation. Read More 


No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


OPM's Determination of Adequacy

After an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed. the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will determine if the EIE is adequate. If not, OPM will specify the areas of inadequacy with reference to CEPA or the CEPA regulations and specify the corrective action required. Read More 


No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


State Land Transfer Notice

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 State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


 

CEPA Project Inventory

The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) maintains a list of projects they have entered the CEPA process. It shows each project's status. The inventory can be found here.


CEQ Contact Information

All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: paul.aresta@ct.gov.


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