House Republican Press Release

March 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Burns, Hamzy: Bond Commission Approves $8,171,540 for Route 6 Drainage Upgrades

Project will Alleviate Flooding Problems; Improve Safety

The State Bond Commission has approved $8,171,540 in state funding for a drainage improvement project on Route 6, which should  alleviate flooding that occasionally impedes traffic flow and creates unsafe driving conditions during and after heavy rain storms, state Representatives Ron Burns and William A. Hamzy said today.

The bond commission approved the funding at its regular monthly meeting Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

“Anyone who has driven through a three to four inch pool of water on Route 6 during and after heavy rain storms understands the need fir this long-overdue project,” said Representative Burns, R-77^th District, whose district includes sections of Route 6. “When the storm drains back up and water pools on the street, traffic slows to a crawl. If the flooding gets worse, engines can stall and block traffic. After the work is completed, news photos and television footage of flooded streets and vehicles throwing up rooster tails will be a thing of the past.” 

“Flooding on Route 6 has been a problem for as long as I can remember,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78^th District, whose law offices are located on Route 6 in Bristol. “As someone who takes Route 6 to work almost every day, I am very familiar with the drainage problems there. In addition to interfering with traffic flow, even an inch or two of water pooling in the street can cause vehicles to hydroplane and result in serious accidents. I have driven through sections of Route 6 that become almost impassable during exceptionally heavy rainstorms. This project should put an end to those kinds of traffic hazards and make the road safer for commuters, shoppers and commercial vehicles alike.”

The project involves the replacement of a culvert between Burlington Avenue and the Northside Square shopping center on North Main Street. The culvert will cross the railroad tracks near the Whole Donut Shop and follow Route 6 to the west before going under the state road in front of Best Cleaners and connecting to another culvert at Northside Square.