The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Town to receive $601K state grant
Funds to improve traffic on Whiting, Bridge, Depot, Main streets
WINSTED — The state will give Winsted $601,224 to build traffic improvements on Whiting Street and design improvements for the intersection of Bridge, Depot and Main streets, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday.
The Board of Selectmen voted to submit three applications for the Responsible Growth and Transit-Oriented Development program administered by the state Office of Policy and Management in July.
These included a request for more than $500,000 for improvements on Whiting Street.
“Whiting Street is the gateway from our downtown commercial district to some of Winsted’s most valued educational and cultural destinations . ... Northwestern Connecticut Community College campus, Whiting Mills studios and the American Mural Project,” wrote representatives of HK Consulting, then the town’s contracted grant writer. “The current condition of this street is very poor, as there is poor traffic management, no pedestrian walkways, chronic flooding problems, and deplorable physical road conditions — all of which have a negative impact on these important cultural, educational and retail landmarks.”
The state will provide funds for construction to address “chronic flooding, pedestrian connectivity, parking and traffic calming,” according to the announcement from Malloy.
The second application sought $100,000 for work on the intersection in the area of Bridge, Depot, Willow and Prospect streets to better allow for the redevelopment of the vacant mill buildings near the Mad River.
HK Consulting wrote the trafficflow pattern through the intersection creates “an unsafe environment” which is “unfit to accommodate additional vehicular traffic (that) will result from the mills’ development,” and the area sidewalks “are extremely unsafe” as part of the application.
The project would include “improved traffic flow and management” through the intersection, additional parking, new paths for pedestrians, and “connections across Bridge Street to our Downtown/Main Street and the Riverwalk,” according to the application.
Funding will be provided for “the study and technical design of pedestrian and traffic improvements,” according to a news release from Malloy.
The public will be able to weigh in on the project before a final design for the intersection is approved, officials said at the time.
“We’re appreciative of receiving these funds,” said Mayor Althea “Candy” Perez on Thursday. “It’s great for the community because it’s additional investment in economic recovery here . ... it’s a good opportunity for the town.”
Perez said the funds would allow the town to “upgrade” Whiting Street, and cited the investment NCCC, Whiting Mills and the American
Mural Project have made in the area.
The intersection of Bridge, Prospect and Main had been considered as part of a road-safety audit commissioned by the town, which determined it needed to be addressed, Perez said.
Winsted was one of 11 Connecticut communities selected to receive a grant as part of this latest round of funding. The state divvied up $15 million, including $5 million from the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund and $10 million from the TransitOriented Development and Pre-development Fund, according to the release.
Through the program, Torrington and Winsted received $1.8 million for the further construction of the Sue Grossman Greenway.
“Transportation isn’t just about cars, trains and buses — it’s about building vibrant communities and continuing to make Connecticut a more attractive place to live, visit, and do business,” Malloy said in a release. “Today’s grant awards will build upon the smart, targeted investments we have made in recent years, which have already lead to significant growth in transit-oriented development across the state.”