Main Street Reconstruction Project

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

PROJECT BACKGROUND - WHERE WE STARTED AND HOW WE GOT HERE

Main Street was last reconstructed in the early 1990’s and the roadway elements have reached their useful life. Abandoned trolley tracks, utility cuts, age, and local drainage issues have led to the deterioration of Main Street, requiring a full-depth reconstruction. The new construction will occur from South Main Street (Rte. 146) to Chestnut Street and within the existing roadway width from curb to curb. New streetscape features are now included in the project, with sidewalk, lighting, and street furniture upgrades being incorporated into the design.

The reconstruction project has been approved by South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) for Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LoTCIP) funding.

The Engineering Department sits on the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) Transportation Advisory board; among the services provided to their member towns, they administer various state grant programs. Every year, the SCRCOG solicits capital projects which are transportation related as part of the State’s Local Transit Capital Improvement Program (LoTCIP). These projects must include transportation related improvement projects, specifically on collector roads within a town’s network.

Prior to 2020 the town had the roundabout project earmarked for LoTCIP funding, a project which took years to develop. However, throughout the preliminary design process for the roundabout, the state DOT required their input as it encompassed part of Rt 146. What resulted was a much larger roundabout project with escalating costs, and where most of the improvements were to be made to State infrastructure and facilities, counter to the LoTCIP fund’s main purpose – to aid towns in funding town infrastructure projects.

In 2020, the town had proposed to the SCRCOG a pivot from funding the roundabout to funding the reconstruction of Main Street, where we have seen advanced deterioration of the roadway, non-compliant accessible ramps, and a need for an overhaul of the traffic signal systems. An application was submitted and approved through the SCRCOG for the improvements above, and a design consultant was brought on board to begin design. It is through the design process the Town was made aware that additional improvements could be eligible through LoTCIP funds.

The Town worked with our consultant (Weston & Sampson) to revise our application for additional funding through LoTCIP, and we again received approval for the increased scope. The following is a description of the Main Street Reconstruction project as it exists today:

The scope of work…was [initially] tailored towards what the Town believed to be the maximum allowable scope of work – the straightforward reconstruction of the roadway and parking areas, and resetting/replacement of granite curbing. During the Town’s design development process, we were made aware a full reconstruction (from building facades on the north to the edge of walks on the south) would be eligible for LoTCIP funding, due to accessibility and safety reasons.

Once the Town and Weston/Sampson were able to expand the scope of the work, and after public input was received through surveys and an open house on the green, an updated preliminary design and cost estimate was provided to the Town for a full ‘streetscape’ project. The work proposed is in addition to the list above, and includes: full replacement of all brick sidewalks along Main Street; roadway and pedestrian lighting conversions (LED) for energy conservation; additional lighting where deemed necessary; crosswalk signalization upgrades; drainage upgrades; ‘street furniture’, including new garbage receptacles, benches (where necessary), and other sidewalk amenities; tree pits; seat walls; rain gardens; etc.

Following our successful LoTCIP application with the State, the Engineering Department took the opportunity to apply for a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant through the State in order to continue to rejuvenate the Town Center area surrounding the green. We took a comprehensive look at what improvements would be complimentary to the streetscape project on Main Street.

The following is a description of the improvements we proposed, as described in the Town’s STEAP grant application:

The Town of Branford is proposing to repair, regrade and enhance Branford’s Town Green. The current condition of the…brick paver sidewalks surrounding the center are coming apart creating a tripping hazard for pedestrians, during heavy rainstorms grades do not allow for enough water to runoff into the stormwater system causing large puddles throughout the Green, there is not sufficient lighting to keep the Green well lit for pedestrians to safely maneuver, the existing crosswalk does not allow for vehicles to adequately see pedestrians, the pavement is in poor condition and existing curbs have deteriorated causing vehicles to park on top of the grass.

The Town proposes to tackle all of these issues by regrading the Green to allow for better runoff. Catch basins and a stormwater retention system will be installed to capture the water for potential reuse…The brick paver sidewalks will be reconstructed with pavers being set in concrete to increase the durability and prevent any tripping hazards. Additional brick paver sidewalks will be installed along the Green to allow for safer pedestrian movement. Pedestrian lighting and a raised crosswalk will be installed to allow for better pedestrian visibility. Town Hall Dr. will be repaved and restriped and granite curbing will be installed along the Green to prevent vehicles from parking on top of the grass.

We expect to further improve upon these Town Center projects in the future, with possible projects to include a mill and pave of East Main Street (Chestnut to No. Main), continued sidewalk improvements west along Rt 146, wayfinding improvements, and a rehabilitation of the public parking lot between Park and Harrison.

PROJECT FUNDING

The Main Street Reconstruction project is a LoTCIP project through the State of CT, in which the Town is responsible for funding the design and the State funds the construction. Main Street has an Engineer’s Estimate for construction of roughly $12,000,000 and we anticipate nearly all aspects of the project to be eligible for LoTCIP funding. It should be noted, the State may find some elements (trash receptacles, additional wayfinding or amenities, etc) non-eligible items, for which the Town would need to fund to incorporate into the project.

The Town Green project was conceptualized to support a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant application. The STEAP program has a maximum award of $500,000, which the town applied for and was granted. The entire project has an Engineer’s Estimate for construction of roughly $1,000,000, requiring a local match of $500,000.

TENTATIVE PROJECT SCHEDULES

The two projects described above are both anticipated to begin Spring of 2025 and continue throughout 2025. It’s anticipated any remaining work will be completed in early 2026 with generally less disruption around the green and center of town.

The contract times for the Main Street reconstruction project call for 240 working days until substantial completion. Days lost due to weather, natural disasters, winter shutdown, material/labor shortages, or other events outside of the control of the contractor typically do not count towards those 240 days. For those reasons, it is not possible to forecast an exact end date to construction.

PUBLIC OUTREACH - PAST AND FUTURE

As this project is complete overhaul of the exising streetscape, the Town felt the need to gather as much public input into the design elements (and observed shortfalls with the existing streetscape) in order to shape the direction of the Main Street improvements. An online public survey was conducted, and an open house was held on the Town Green during a Jazz on the Green Thursday. We received 233 responses to the public survey and had a productive turnout during our open house. Links are below to the summary of responses/recommendations, which were incorporated into design where feasible.

In addition to those opportunities for input, the Town attended multiple public meetings for feedback from the public and major stakeholders: Community Forest Commission, Economic Development Commission, Town Center Merchants group, Town Center Revitalization Review Board, the Green Committee, and the Planning & Zoning Commission.

As the project moves into construction, the Town understands how important communication will be to help usher everyone through the inconveniences and major disruption in the center of town. The Town expects to keep communication with the many stakeholders: town center merchants, residents, the general public/tourism, emergency services, etc.

The Town will dedicate resources throughout construction to keep the public informed of anticipated milestones, temporary road closures, detours, temporary parking bans and alternate parking locations by updating our social media page, the town website, working with our Economic Development Manager, and attending regular meetings and/or updating the town center merchants on progress/feedback. Additionally, staff will be available during regular office hours to hear concerns and receive feedback throughout construction.

Your patience is needed and appreciated. Major improvements have not been made to the center of town in over 30 years, and the sheer scope of work must be recognized. Upon the completion of these projects the Town Center will once again be revitalized for decades to come.