The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct an in-person public information meeting concerning the safety improvements on State Route 82 in Norwich at the Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School at 25 Mahan Dr. in Norwich on Thursday, January 18, 2024. An open house will begin at 6 p.m. and the formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2023.

The purpose of the project is to improve safety along the State Route 82 corridor between New London Turnpike and Fairmount Street in Norwich through a series of roundabouts. Design and construction will occur in two phases: Project No. 0103-0274 (Phase 1) and Project No. 0103-0275 (Phase 2). This public informational meeting will be addressing Phase 1 only, located between Banas Court and Fairmount Street. 

The public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOTNorwich103-274.

“This safety improvement project will significantly reduce the high number of crashes that the corridor currently experiences, making it safer for drivers, pedestrians, and public transit users alike,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Principal Engineer Scott Bushee. “We encourage members of the community to attend or watch this meeting to learn more about the redesigned safety improvements project on Route 82.”

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2025 with an advanced utility breakout project, followed by proposed roadway work in spring 2026 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permit(s). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $23 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.

There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Phase 1 will require five total property acquisitions on Route 82. Approximately 52 additional properties will be impacted by either a partial acquisition, a slope easement, and/or temporary construction easements.

The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Salvatore Aresco at salvatore.aresco@ct.gov or (860) 594-3239.

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT 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. 

This meeting will also be livestreamed on the Norwich Public Schools YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings at portal.ct.gov/ctdotVPIMarchive.

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Wednesday, January 24, 2024, to DOTProject103-274@ct.gov or Scott Bushee, P.E., Principal Engineer at Scott.Bushee@ct.gov or (860) 594-2079. Please reference State Project No. 0103-0274 in the email or voicemail.