CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 Fax: (860) 594-3066 HOME-PAGE:www.ct.gov/dot

BUCKLAND AREA TRANPORTATION STUDY

PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING TO BE HELD

NEWINGTON, Conn. – State Transportation Commissioner Ralph Carpenter announced that the first of three public informational meetings will be held to discuss the findings of the initial phase of a two year Buckland Area Transportation study.  The public information meeting is being held to apprise residents, business owners, commuters, or other interested stakeholders of important study developments.  Study representatives will present and discuss the findings of the initial study phase, “Analysis of Existing and Future No-Build Transportation Conditions” (Technical Memorandum #1).  This study is being carried out by the Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), and area municipalities (Manchester, South Windsor and East Hartford). 

The study is led by the Department’s Office of Intermodal Planning, and includes the consulting firm of Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc.  An advisory group comprised of representatives of federal and state agencies, towns, CRCOG, and public and private transportation stakeholders is assisting in the study process. 

The general limits of the study area are Interstate 84 (I-84) between Interstate 384 (I-384) and interchange 63 (Deming Street), Interstate 291 between interchange 4 (Route 5) and I-84, and Interstate 384 between interchange 1 (Spencer Street) and I-84.  Another focus of the study will concentrate on the Buckland area along Buckland Street and Buckland Road, from New State Road and Adams Street in the town of Manchester to the intersection of Routes 30 and 194 in the town of South Windsor. Transit and bicycle/pedestrian systems will also be evaluated as part of the study. 

The public informational meeting will be held March 29, 2007 at the South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Avenue in South Windsor.  Doors will open at 6:00 PM with an informal interactive open house session.  A brief presentation will be given at 7:00 PM., followed once again by an interactive open house until 9:00 PM. Study staff will be available to answer questions and discuss issues and concerns.

Directions to the meeting location and other important study information including weather-related cancellation notices can be obtained by accessing the project website at "No Longer Active".  The Department makes every effort to keep the public and stakeholders apprised of key developments on all its transportation initiatives. 

To view the draft Technical Memorandum #1 and to submit comments, please visit the study website at "No Longer Active". Comments can also be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington CT 16131-7546; by email: james.andrini@po.state.ct.us; by fax - 860.594.3028; or by telephone at (860)594-2148.  Copies of the draft Technical Memorandum #1 are also available at the Town Halls of South Windsor, Manchester, and East Hartford.

To be considered for inclusion in the memorandum, written comments must be submitted by April 23, 2007.