State still planning for roundabouts on Route 82 - here's what we know
Even though the state Department of Transportation had to go back to the drawing board on roundabouts, it still want them on Norwich’s west side.
In the fall, the state will reveal its new plans for roundabouts in the city. The main change to the plan is that there will only be four roundabouts in a 1.3 mile stretch of Route 82, not six as originally proposed, said Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom.
More opportunities for public involvement with the roundabouts will take place in the fall, CTDOT Strategic Communications Director Shannon Burnham stated by email.
“CTDOT will continue to work closely with municipal partners during the next phases of design and believes the safety and travel benefits of the project intended through the new design can be achieved,” she said.
The Bulletin asked CTDOT for more information, including if the new plan would still affect local businesses, but Burnham did not make any more information public at this time.
Why are the roundabouts needed?
Last year, extensive presentations and public hearings were held for Norwich residents and business owners on the project. While many know Route 82 as Crash Alley, the state wanted to alleviate this problem through the use of roundabouts. Changing some of the intersections in a 1.3 mile stretch of state-owned road to roundabouts is intended to slow down the traffic while keeping a constant flow, with plants and new pedestrian structures added to beautify the area.
A few Norwich residents liked the project , but many were vocally against it. For some, the construction time and the roundabouts themselves would cause inconvenience, saying adding speed bumps and a greater police presence would deter unsafe driving. Others were concerned speeders would continue speeding on the many residential side streets.
Some business owners feared a loss of customers, while others feared losing their whole business. The original project required a few businesses, including a gas station, a barber shop, a sign shop, and a dance studio, to move. While some in the city council were confident these business owners could collaborate with state and the Norwich Community Development Corporation on getting re-established, the owners didn’t want to take that chance.
The original roundabout proposal was officially pulled in November.
Nystrom is still thankful for CTDOT reconsidering its original plans. Along with the public’s concerns, the original project would have had a $13 million loss for the city's utilities.
Nystrom, as one of the people who was against six roundabouts, doesn’t know yet if people will still be opposed to four.
“I don’t know what the structure will look like yet, but they are moving forward,” he said.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Route 82 roundabouts in the plan of CTDOT
