Date: Fri 08-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

DOT-Bypass-Wasserman-Sullivan

Full Text:

DOT Commission Explains Reasons For Bypass Delay

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The commissioner of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) has explained

the reasons for delays in getting the Fairfield Hills bypass road project

underway.

In a letter to State Rep Julia Wasserman, DOT Commissioner James Sullivan

writes, "Several issues have delayed the contractor's efforts in moving the

project at a faster pace. These issues include environmental permitting

problems at the bridge site, delays in Department of Environmental Protection

soil testing for the wetland mitigation area, and undocumented underground

utilities in several areas. The contractor is making efforts to minimize

delays. I am confident that they will resolve the outstanding issues in a

timely manner."

Mr Sullivan's August 5 letter came in response to Mrs Wasserman's July 15

letter inquiring why work isn't underway on the bypass, which is intended to

alleviate traffic congestion in the town center.

In June, workmen began preliminary construction on the bypass road planned to

link Route 25 to Exit 11 of Interstate 84, and to Route 34 to improve local

east/west traffic flow.

Construction is slated to resume soon, David Anderson, DOT's chief inspector

on the project, has said.

The completion date for the bypass road has been moved back to September 3,

1999. In the past, DOT officials had said the project would be completed by

the end of 1998.

Traffic will continue passing over Mile Hill Road while the bypass road

project is under construction.

It's expected that Dayton Construction Company of Watertown will complete

construction of a bridge over the Pootatuck River by the end of 1997, Mr

Sullivan wrote.

"Once this bridge is completed, the contractor will use the bridge during the

construction [of the remainder of the project]. The contractor anticipates

that they will complete most of the [remainder] of the contract by the end of

1998. The only work that may remain would be the final course of pavement,

shoulder work, landscaping and general clean-up," Mr Sullivan wrote.

In a response to Mr Sullivan's letter, Mrs Wasserman wrote, "I would hope that

aside from potential unforeseen minor field changes there be no additional

delays."

Mrs Wasserman also asks for clarification on whether the matters which have

delayed the start of the project will continue to cause delays. She has

expressed unhappiness that the official completion date of the project is

September 3, 1999.

The overall cost of the project is estimated at $4 million, including

construction and design expenses.

Advanced erosion control measures will be used during bypass road

construction. Special contamination traps will be installed because the area

lies above the Pootatuck aquifer. The bypass road project is environmentally

significant because it is unusual to build a major connector road in a place

containing an area's designated sole source aquifer.

A combination of state and federal funds will cover project costs. The new

road will bypass the core campus of Fairfield Hills. The road will extend from

the intersection of Mile Hill Road South and Mile Hill Road to the area where

Mile Hill Road intersects with Oakview Road.

A 1991 agreement, which resolved a lawsuit filed by the town against the state

over the state's construction of Garner Correctional Institution, provided, in

part, that the state build a bypass road across the Fairfield Hills grounds.