The project involves improvements on Route 25 at the intersections of Route 111, Tashua Road and Spring Hill Road that will provide for a more efficient operation at each intersection and improve safety. The design includes establishment of two to three 12' travel lanes with 4' foot shoulders and turning lanes with the existing signal at Route 25 & 111 being modified and new signals being installed at Tashua Road and Spring Hill Road.
The modification to existing and installation of new signalization involves work by utility companies which have facilities within the project limits. They are: Aquarion Water Company, Town of Trumbull-Sewer Department, SBC/Southern New England Telephone Company, United Illuminating Company, Southern Connecticut Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company and Charter Communications of Western Connecticut. Of these companies, three have facilities on poles; UI, Charter and AT&T.
Project Timeline:
· Advertising May 24, 2006
· Bid Opening June 21, 2006
· Award August 28, 2006
· Notice to Proceed October 30, 2006
· Original completion date (276 days) = November 30, 2007 *This is correct date- August 1, 2007 was incorrectly reported.
· Revised Est. Completion June 30, 2008 (New date based on current schedule thru winter period shutdown.)
We had a pre-meeting at the project field office with Dayton Construction, UI, Charter Communications, AT&T, the Department's Divisions of Traffic and Consultant Design, along with Utility section and Office of Construction in preparation for meeting with First Selectman Baldwin. The meeting was called to address issues forwarded to DOT's Office of Construction by the First Selectman, Governor's Office, Legislature and residents of the area and included discussion on the current timeline for work by utilities and forecasted schedule for completion of all contract work.
Discussion at First Selectman meeting 9/12/07:
1) Utilities- Utility work could not commence on this project until contractor was on site (November 2006) and had laid out construction lines and grades and completed clearing and grubbing and fills in areas where poles need to be placed. Once completed, the utility company (AT&T custodian of most poles) completed staking out of pole lines, completed engineering for relocation and material acquisition (November 2006-May 2007). UI, who is first party on top of existing pole, did their work for relocation onto new poles (June and July 2007). Charter Cable who is second facility in line started work in April 2007 did relocation work behind UI with completion scheduled for week of 9/17/07). AT&T is last party on pole and is scheduled to begin relocation work the week of 9/24/07. They have aerial and underground splicing and shifting and will require approx. 3 months to complete. It was noted that Dayton Construction can not proceed with any road reconstruction work until these services have completed all relocations to new pole lines.
Since AT&T will have their work extending into winter shutdown period (Dec. 1 2007 to March 31 2008), Dayton will have to begin reconstruction of roads in Spring 2008. Dayton does plan on being able to complete all work by June 2008.
The department does attempt to arrange for relocation prior to start of construction activity if possible. However, certain projects require contractor to complete a certain aspect of the job such as clearing and grubbing and placement of fills to facilitate pole placement. Approximately 50% of the contractor's work is completed as of this date.
2) Project Timeline- The project start was late in the season (notice to proceed 10/30/06) and much of the work couldn't be done during the winter period which pushed the project into Spring of 2007. Another winter period will occur again Dec 2007 thru March 2008 resulting in the project being moved out to June 2008. Many operations that are sensitive to weather and temperature can not be performed during winter months. In addition the road must be safe and passable during winter. Asphalt and concrete placement is normally not done during these winter periods and most material producers have shut down their operations by mid December.
3) Safety- The Trumbull Police Department indicated that there have been five accidents in the last 4-5 years and most likely several near misses at the intersections of Spring Hill and Tashua. Sightlines at Tashua and Spring Hill have been improved with the completion of the clearing and grubbing work done back in November 2006. However, they asked if the project could look at some additional trimming to further enhance sightlines and more signing until the signals are in place. Additional signing request by Town is being looked at by the Department's Traffic Division to see if there are any interim measures that can be taken until construction is complete and signals are operational.
The Trumbull Police did state that the construction activity or lack thereof was not a contributing factor to the accidents in particular the recent fatality.
Traffic Division comments from field review 9/12/07- No additional changes recommended. Adequate sight distances in place along with signing. May require some adjustments during Spring 08 once contractor begins work in roadways.
Selectman Baldwin and the other Trumbull representatives were satisfied with the responses to their questions, better understood what was occurring, and appreciated continued efforts to get work done as expeditiously as possible. The Department assured them that the progress is being closely monitored and they will be advised of any issues that may affect the current construction schedule.