New plan, same criticism for Route 82 roundabout plan in Norwich
Jan. 18—NORWICH — A scaled-down state plan to build four roundabouts and erect a median divider along a 1.3-mile stretch of Route 82 was met Thursday night with familiar criticism as being excessive and disruptive for businesses
Instead of roundabouts, critics asked for lower speed limits, more police enforcement and less disruptive traffic improvements.
State Department of Transportation officials described the current hazards on the busy four-lane commercial strip nicknamed "Crash Alley," which averages more than 100 crashes per year. Many of the crashes involve sideswipes and rear-end strikes as vehicles are attempting to make left turns. About 40% of the crashes occur at intersections without signals.
DOT Project Manager Salvatore Aresco described the near-miss crashes he witnesses traveling along the route, including long delays experienced by one vehicle at the busy Asylum Street intersection, until the driver ended up turning left on a red light. Other vehicles stuck behind the waiting driver, skirted around to continue traveling straight.
His video showed another driver who waited 80 seconds for the chance to turn left into Dollar General.
From 2018 through 2022, there were 111 crashes per year along the road, with 54 crashes at the Asylum Street intersection, 28 at the Osgood Street intersection and 14 in front of the Bank of America at 590 W. Main St., near the Dunham Street intersection.
The new plan reduces the number of roundabouts from six to four, with the first two placed at the Asylum Street and Osgood Street intersections in the first phase, which is scheduled to begin in 2026. In phase 1, a red light would remain at Dunham Street but would be replaced by a roundabout in phase 2. The final roundabout in phase 2 would be at Norman Road.
The current four-lane commercial strip would be replaced with one travel lane in each direction and a median divider in the center to prevent left turns. Travelers wanting to turn left will go to the next roundabout to make a U-turn. DOT presenters Thursday said median dividers have been shown to reduce crashes by 95% and roundabouts by 78%.
Phase 1 requires the taking of five properties, three at the Asylum Street roundabout. They are Sign Professionals, All the Right Moves dance studio and a vacant former bar. A barbershop at Osgood Street and one gas station also would be purchased by the state.
The DOT project website is at http://portal.ct.gov/DOTNorwich103-274. Public comments can be sent to DOTProject103-274@ct.gov.
The widely criticized initial plan called for a roundabout at the Mount Pleasant Street intersection, directly across from the entrance at Willow Tree Plaza. That was removed in the new plan.
But Willow Tree Plaza owner Michael Matera questioned that change, saying a roundabout made the most sense in that location. Matera said he is concerned that right turn only into and leaving the plaza could hurt businesses in the plaza, which is home to Walgreens, Harbor Freight and an Auto Zone auto parts store.
Paul Agranovitch, owner of Universal Discount Package Store at 680 W. Main St. likened the plan to using dynamite to kill a fly in a house, only to allow dozens more flies in through the hole in the wall.
"You're saying the one answer to everything is the roundabouts," Agranovitch said. "I'm saying there are other things: cameras, police, left turn lanes only. ... I think this is so ill-conceived. It just bothers me that you're saying already this is the way. We know what we're doing."
Other speakers on Thursday criticized the plan as too costly and too disruptive. Resident Brian Kobylarz said Norwich is looking at six years of disruption for businesses, and it would not help the city if businesses that need to relocate because of the project move out of Norwich.
Other residents agreed the roundabouts are the best answer to the traffic problems on Route 82 and complained that Norwich never wants change.
Mayor Peter Nystrom, who met with DOT officials Wednesday along with other city leaders, repeated criticism he has voiced in the past that the project is still excessive and would hurt Norwich businesses. He fears some businesses will close permanently. He asked DOT to consider other traffic calming measures with less disruptions.
"They call it Crash Alley, not a flattering thing," Nystrom said. "I don't see this as a solution."
Comments on the project can be sent to DOTProject103-274@ct.gov.
Editor's note: This version adds the DOT project website and email address for public comments.
