Region: Norwich wants DOT to eliminate proposed Route 82 roundabouts

City Council wants DOT to reconsider project as business owners along corridor complain

Norwich — The City Council Monday reversed its stance taken a year ago that supported the state’s proposed $42 million reconstruction of Route 82 with a median divider and six roundabouts and now is asking the state to reconsider the project.

After hearing from several business owners along the Route 82 corridor, the council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution asking the state Department of Transportation to consider eliminating roundabouts in the project. The resolution also asks the DOT to provide updates on the project to the City Council Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee and to hold informational meetings to take public comments on the project.

The DOT proposed the major redesign of Route 82 — dubbed “Crash Alley” for its frequent accidents — in August 2015. According to a statewide database maintained by the University of Connecticut, there have been 282 crashes involving 557 vehicles and 801 people on the West Main Street portion of the road from January 2015 through early June this year.

The project would run from just west of the busy New London Turnpike intersection to the intersection with Asylum and Mechanic streets. Six roundabouts would replace traffic signals at key intersections, the largest one at New London Turnpike, and a 6-inch high median divider would prevent all left-hand turns along most of the stretch.

Sidewalks would be reconstructed to reduce steep driveway ramps into businesses, but pedestrians would be directed to crosswalks in the roundabouts to cross the street. Beyond the reconstruction area, center left-turn lanes would be created. Surrey Lane would be cut off from Route 82, forcing traffic from side streets to New London Turnpike to reach Route 82.

Norwich — City Democrats Monday announced a slate of six candidates to run for City Council this fall, with a guarantee that new aldermen will be elected.

Democratic Mayor Deberey Hinchey is not seeking re-election and Alderman H. Tucker Braddock will be running for mayor in fall.

Democrats Sam Browning, Stephanie Burnham, Joe DeLucia, Zato Kadambaya, Robert Phoenix and Kevin Saythany, a current Board of Education member, will seek party endorsement at the July party caucus.

“After years of failed promises it is time for a fresh start,” educator and engineer Kadambaya said in a press release announcing the slate.

Former Norwich police officer and current teacher DeLucia said he will bring an important perspective to the City Council, and plans to address “the lack of a cohesive vision” in the city’s economic development efforts and school funding. After serving one term on the Board of Education, Saythany said in the press release he has seen first-hand the challenges Norwich faces with its schools, and knows how strongly linked good schools are to the economic success of a community.

“A strong education system drives folks to move to a community,” Saythany said. “Good schools are vital to making Norwich a vibrant city.”

Phoenix has worked in large and small government positions, including as a certified code administrator.

A local attorney, Browning said he wants to explore new approaches to economic development while also keeping taxes stable.

Burnham, who has a background and experience as an operations efficiency expert, said the Democratic slate represents “a cross section of what’s best in Norwich, and a team enthused with new ideas and fresh perspectives.”