State Wants Feedback on $2.2 Million Rotary Project

Anyone who wants to let the state know its position on a new $2.2 million reconstruction of the rotary at Routes 188 and 334 and Holbrook Road on the Seymour-Oxford line will have that opportunity soon. 

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will conduct a public informational meeting concerning the proposed improvements on Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the Community Center Meeting Room, Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St., Seymour.  An informal question and answer session will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by a formal design presentation at 7 p.m.

 The primary purpose of this project - State Project No. 124-162 - is to enhance safety at the rotary type intersection and improve sightlines.

"Although the existing intersection has many of the features of a modern roundabout design, like the grass splitter islands and a grass center island, the alignment on several of the approaches have minimal deflection resulting in high operating speeds," according to a DOT news release. "Modern roundabout designs are most effective when motorists travel at lower operating speeds." 

 The proposed project will upgrade the existing four-leg rotary intersection to a modern type roundabout.  The approach geometry will be modified and the splitter islands will be raised and lengthened to channelize traffic into a more deflected pattern.  The center island will also be raised and landscaped to increase visibility from the approaches.  Additionally, the profile on Route 334 will be lowered to improve sightlines.  These improvements, along with new signing, are intended to gradually slow vehicles down to the lower speeds of the circulating traffic, resulting in a safer intersection.  The realignment of the approaches and the new splitter islands will require full depth reconstruction.  Work within the circle of the roundabout will include the construction of a concrete truck apron and re-grading of the center island.  The extent of the pavement work required in the circle will be determined based on cross-slope and drainage considerations.  Utility relocations appear likely at this time to accommodate the realignment of the approaches, and illumination of the roundabout will be considered.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2015 based on the availability of funding.  The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $2.2 million.  This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 100 percent State funds.

The Public Informational Meeting is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project. 

The meeting facility is ADA accessible.  Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications (Voice only) at (860) 594-3062 at least five working days prior to the meeting.  Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance.

Plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review.  Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project.  More detailed information is available at the Department’s Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., excluding holidays.  Anyone wishing to discuss the project may contact Mr. Timothy M. Wilson at (860) 594-3189 or by e-mail at Timothy.Wilson@ct.gov. Plans are also available for review at the Seymour Town Hall.

The above news release comes from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.