House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

August 18, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. Giuliano: Funding Approved for DOT Projects in Old Saybrook

 

Projects Include Reconstruction of North Main Street; Baldwin Bridge Rehabilitation

The State Bond Commission has approved funding for two Department of Transportation projects in Old Saybrook, state Representative Marilyn Giuliano, R-23rd District, announced today.

The funding was approved at the Bond Commission’s monthly meeting today (Friday, August 18th).

The projects include the reconstruction and widening of North Main Street and rehabilitation work on the Baldwin Bridge, which carries I-95 over the Connecticut River and connects Old Saybrook with Old Lyme.

“Traffic flow and safety for both motorists and pedestrians on North Main Street will be improved and the overall appearance of the area will be enhanced when this project is completed,” Representative Giuliano said. “Although only a small portion of the roadway will be affected, the work is essential and I’d like to thank the bond commission for approving the funding that will enable the town to move ahead with this important project. The work on the Baldwin Bridge is routine maintenance. There are no safety issues involved and the project will not impede traffic flow.”

The North Main Street project involves the reconstruction and widening of North Main Street from U.S. Route 1 to the Saybrook Junction Railroad Station for a distance of about 900 feet.  The existing roadway is approximately 20 feet wide, with two 10-foot lanes.  The street will be widened to provide 11-foot wide travel lanes, and shoulders that are two feet wide. In addition, the left turn lane to Route 1 will be extended, a 6-foot wide raised center median will be installed, and a 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk on the west side of North Main will be constructed. Federal funding for the $665,000 project amounts to $532,000. The state’s share is $66,500. The project is anticipated to get underway in the spring of 2008, with completion expected by late summer or early fall, Representative Giuliano said.

The Baldwin Bridge project is expected to get underway in the spring of 2007 and be completed in the fall. The total cost for the rehabilitation work is $3,250,000. Federal funding for the project totals $2,600,000. The state’s share amounts to $650,000, Representative Giuliano said.