Route 8 Design/Build

The Route 8 Design Build project will bring the section of roadway from Exit 13 in Shelton to Exit 22 in Seymour up to modern highway standards and make it safer for motorists. The work is expected to start in the summer of 2023 and finish by the end of 2024.
 
The CTDOT has a public participation plan and people can reach out to project managers through the project’s website. 
 
Plans for the project include repaving the roadway, putting in new LED lights, and replacing drainage systems that date to the 1950s. The budget is $77.3 million, of which 80 percent is coming from the federal government and the rest from the state. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are administering the project.

 

The project scope is as follows. From Exit 13 to Exit 17 upgraded LED light fixtures will be installed with new light standards and foundations and underground circuitry for an incident management system (IMS). The IMS will be installed at a later date and will warn motorists of issues on the highway.

From Exit 15 to Exit 22 there will be repairs to the concrete base of the north and southbound lanes of the roadway and resurfacing, 11 minor bridge rehabilitations, drainage improvements, and bringing roadway guiderails to current Manual of Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) standards. 

The CTDOT has a public participation plan that included an information session held on Jan. 12. Project managers gave a presentation on the project and the public asked questions about the work.

Empire Paving Inc. was awarded the contract for the Route 8 project through the CTDOT design-build procurement method.

Valley Transit Bus Shelters

Project Overview

Main St and Bridge St., Ansonia (Inbound)
Main Street and Bridge Street, Ansonia (Inbound)

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), in collaboration with Valley Transit District, CTtransit, and Greater Bridgeport Transit, has engaged a multidisciplinary team to design bus shelters within the lower valley municipalities of Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton. These communities are served by several transit agencies, and several of these sites lack accommodations and are only marked by signs at the bus stop locations. This forces users to stand and be exposed to the elements while waiting for their bus to arrive. Several of these sites have ridership numbers of hundreds of people each day.  

The intent of the project is to assess existing bus stops within these municipalities and to design bus shelters and amenities where possible. The bus shelters will be able to accommodate a variety of users for Valley Transit District, CTtransit, and Greater Bridgeport Transit. The project is being conducted by a team of planning experts and key stakeholders, led by SLR, a multidisciplinary firm. Electrical and illumination expertise is being provided by VN Engineers. 

Elizabeth St. and 5th St., Derby (Outbound)
Elizabeth Street and 5th Street, Derby (Outbound)

As part of this project, we will collect data from critical bus stops and analyze their site conditions. Each site will be assessed for its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, topography, visibility and sight lines, potential Right-of-Way issues, Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) compliance, utility conflicts, access to electricity, and any other notable features. We will work with our team, the municipalities, stakeholders, and the public to determine the most suitable sites for bus shelter installation.

Staff contact

Kevin Ellis
Transportation Engineer
kellis@nvcogct.gov 

Get involved

Public Involvement Process 

We strive to involve the public in a way that is collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. During the project, our team will use a variety of tools to gather public feedback and ensure that this project meets the needs of these communities. 

To fulfill these goals, the project team will meet with stakeholders, conduct a public information meeting, and provide frequent updates via this website and NVCOG’s social media platforms. Additionally, all documents related to the project will be posted to this website. If you have a question or would like to provide a comment, suggestion, or idea, please email kellis@nvcogct.gov. 

Technical Advisory Committee Meetings 

A project Technical Advisory Meeting will be convened, which will be comprised of members of Valley Transit District, the municipalities of Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton, as well as CTtransit and Greater Bridgeport Transit. This group will review potential bus shelter sites, bus shelter designs, and related accommodations.  

Public Informational Meeting 

A public informational meeting will be conducted once the site feasibility assessment has been completed and a bus shelter design has been finalized. The public information meeting will have the dual purpose of sharing our findings and hearing directly from the community about their concerns and ideas for the new bus shelters. These meetings are open to all. To ensure widespread access, this meeting will be live streamed and made available for viewing on the NVCOG YouTube page.  

Social Media  

In addition to this website, follow us on  Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for updates on the project’s status and progress. 

Interactive Site Assessment Map 

Check out the NVCOG Bus Shelter Inventory interactive map which includes the site assessments for eligible bus stops within the municipalities of Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton. 

Project Timeline 

NVCOG along with SLR are finalizing a project schedule which will be posted here when it is completed. 

Documents 

Documents related to this project will be uploaded here when available. 

MTP 2050

Introducing NVision50, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the NVCOG Region

About the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)  

As the regional planning agency and a Metropolitan Planning Organization, NVCOG must prepare a long-range transportation plan every four years that lays out the vision for transportation in the future. NVision50: The Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the NVCOG and the Central Naugatuck Valley MPO lays out a comprehensive vision for transportation in our region leading up to 2050. The region’s last MTP update was completed in 2019. View the adopted 2019-2045 plan here.

Updating our Plan

NVCOG staff has dedicated hours of work to NVision50 over the past year, culminating in the draft document presented below. Feedback from residents and stakeholders has been critical as we developed the long-term vision for transportation in our region, and we’re excited to gather feedback on the result! The NVCOG Transportation Technical Advisory Committee will consider NVision50 at the March 1, 2023, meeting, and the CNVMPO board will discuss the plan at their March 17, 2023, meeting. 

We want your feedback!

NVision50 is now available for public review and comment. The formal public comment period will run from February 6, 2023, through March 17, 2023, culminating with public comments at the CNVMPO Board meeting. A hybrid public information session will be on February 16 at 6 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) offices at 49 Leavenworth St., Waterbury, CT, and via Zoom. In addition, a virtual town hall-style meeting will be held on March 9 from 3 to 7 p.m. At that meeting, the public can comment on the MTP and ask questions about the document. The public may also comment by email at contactus@nvcogct.gov or by calling NVCOG’s offices at 203-757-0535. Comments can also be sent in writing to the NVCOG office c/o Rich Donovan, Director of Transportation Planning, 49 Leavenworth St., Waterbury, CT 06702. 

Draft Executive Summary 

Full Draft Report

Combined Draft Appendices  

Chapter 1 – Regional Profile Draft

Chapter 2 – Federal Planning Factors

Chapter 3 – Transportation Issues and Goals Draft

Chapter 4 – Highway Planning

Chapter 5 – Public Transit Systems

Chapter 6 – Active Transportation

Chapter 7 – Freight

Chapter 8 – Aviation

Chapter 9 – Sustainable Transportation

Chapter 10 – Transit Safety and Security

Chapter 11 – Emerging Technologies

Chapter 12 – Capital Improvement Plan

Draft Project Tables – Appendix A

Survey Responses – Appendix B

Public Comments and Responses – Appendix C

Air Quality Conformity Determination – Appendix D

Bridgeport-Stamford Congestion Management Process – Appendix E

Transportation in our Region:

Public Meeting Schedule: 

CNVMPO Board Meeting: In addition to the standard public comment item on the NVCOG meeting agenda, the CNVMPO will hold individual opportunities for the public to address the board prior to discussion and potential adoption of the plan. The meeting is open to all; details can be found here.

Public Information Session: At 6 PM on Thursday, February 16, a hybrid information session was held. This session’s recording is available on the NVCOG’s YouTube page and includes a detailed presentation of the plan and its expected impacts to transportation in the region.  

Virtual Listening Session: On March 9, 2023, NVCOG staff was available from 3 PM to 7 PM via Zoom to accept comments and answer questions about NVision50. This open session did not receive any comments, so a video for this session will not be posted but can be made available upon request. A short presentation with details about additional feedback opportunities was presented and can be found here. 

Self Paced Presentation: 

Go to this Sway

Staff Contact

Rich Donovan
Director of Transportation Planning
rdonovan@nvcogct.gov
(203) 489-0361

HydroLand Kinneytown Dam Fish Passage

An ineffective fish ladder at Kinneytown Dam in Seymour, owned by HydroLand, is currently preventing migratory fish from accessing miles of restored habitat upstream. NVCOG has joined the Naugatuck River Restoration Coalition with the goal of returning migratory fish to the Naugatuck River by ensuring that safe, timely and effective fish passage is established at Kinneytown Dam. The Coalition has developed an Interactive Story Map to explain the issue. 

Kinneytown Dam and Fish Ladder
Kinneytown Dam and Fish Ladder, Seymour, CT

As a hydroelectric generating facility, Kinneytown Dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  As part of the facility’s license exemption, Hydroland must provide for safe, timely and effective fish passage at the dam.  FERC opened a docket in Fall of 2020 in response to a letter from the US Fish and Wildlife Service documenting inadequate fish passage at the facility.  NVCOG is participating in the docket to ensure that regional and municipal voices are heard by regulators. 

**Update** On December 14, 2022, the US Department of Commerce announced that NVCOG has been recommended for funding for a project intended to lead to the removal of Kinneytown Dam. The funding is being made available through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal grant program.  The Naugatuck River Restoration Coalition issued a press release in response. 

Hydroland, HydroLand, HydroLand Omega, Hydroland Inc, Hydroland Corp, Hydroland Corporation, 

Explore the Issue:

This interactive storymap details the effort to restore migratory fish to the Naugatuck River, and the current issues at Kinneytown Dam keeping fish from miles of restored habitat upstream.

NVCOG FERC Docket Filings:

9/30/2021 Legal Action

More Information:

Let the Naugatuck River Run Silver Again Op-Ed by John Waldman published in Hearst Media publications 12/4/2020

 

Staff Contact:

Aaron Budris
Senior Regional Planner
abudris@nvcogct.gov

Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

The final Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and Municipal Annexes have been posted to the NVCOG Hazard Mitigation Plan webpage.  The Plan has been adopted by all 19 NVCOG Communities, and the NVCOG Board endorsed the plan on December 10, 2021.  FEMA approved the plan in January, 2022.  

In 2019, NVCOG received funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a multi-jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) for all 19 NVCOG municipalities. 

An approved NHMP is required by FEMA to qualify a municipality for certain federal mitigation funding. NHMPs must be updated every 5 years. The purpose of this project is to update municipal NHMPs and develop a consolidated multijurisdictional plan for the entire Naugatuck Valley planning region in compliance with FEMA standards and requirements that will serve as the approved NHMP for each NVCOG municipality. 

Naugatuck River flooding in 1955

The NHMP will identify natural hazards and risks, existing capabilities, and activities that can be undertaken by a community to prevent loss of life and reduce property damages associated with the identified hazards. Public safety and property loss reduction are the driving forces behind this plan. Careful consideration will also be given to the preservation of history, culture and the natural environment of the region. 

Milone & MacBroom Inc. (MMI) was selected to serve as the project consultant. MMI has extensive experience developing NHMPs in the region and across the state.  NVCOG is administering the project and has prepared a detailed scope of work in collaboration with MMI. The project is expected to take 18 months and will include extensive public and stakeholder outreach and coordination with various municipal officials and departments.

Interactive Storymap:  

Click on the tabs at the top of the Project Storymap and scroll through the narrative to learn about hazards impacting the region and view topical maps.

Screenshot 2020 10 23 085117

Meetings and Workshops:

Public Information Meeting 8/4/2021
Recording
 
Public Workshop #2: Mitigation 
Recording
Slides
 
Coordinator Workshop #2: Mitigation
Recording
Slides
 
Public Workshop #1: Risk 
Slides
 
Coordinator Workshop #1: Risk
Recording 
Breakout Room Recording
Slides
 
Project Kickoff Meeting
Slides

Project Documents:

Scope of Work
Press Release 2/2/2021
Press Release 10/26/2020

Upcoming Meetings:

There are no upcoming events.

View Full Calendar

Staff Contact:  

Aaron Budris
Senior Regional Planner
abudris@nvcogct.gov

COVID-19 Information

Image of virus molecules

As our towns, the state, and country return to normal, NVCOG seeks to provide the best information available for the residents of our nineteen communities. 

On this page, you can find links with information related to the COVID-19 pandemic for:

  • Bus Transit, Commuter Rail, and Highway Updates
  • Resources for Businesses
  • Latest Press Releases and Executive Orders from Governor Lamont
  • Local Health Districts
  • Your Municipality’s COVID-19 Response web page
  • Federal Departments and Agencies

NVCOG Current Status

Employees are back in the office and our office is open to the public. Public information meetings encourage in-person participation and will continue to have a virtual option for participation.

Quick Links

Find A Testing Site Near You
COVID-19 Vaccinations in CT
Travel Advisory & Restrictions
Step Up Connecticut
COVID Alert CT App
How We Feel App

Information Sources

Below are links to trusted agencies with status updates, resources for municipalities and businesses, and the best data on how to prevent coming into contact with the virus and what to do if you do come into contact with the virus.

Connecticut Coronavirus Call Center: 2-1-1
Please contact 211CT if in need of food, mental health, transportation or many other services.

Click on a heading below for the resources NVCOG has compiled.

 
 
CTtransit News & Updates includes CTfasttrak, Bristol Local Service and Greater Waterbury Transit District
 

Metro-North Services Updates

CTDOT News & Updates

FTA Mask Travel Guidance Order and FAQ 

TRB and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine resources

City of Ansonia 

Town of Beacon Falls

Town of Bethlehem

City of Bristol

Town of Cheshire

City of Derby 

Town of Middlebury

Borough of Naugatuck

Town of Oxford

Town of Plymouth

Town of Prospect

Town of Seymour

City of Shelton

Town of Southbury

Town of Thomaston

City of Waterbury

Town of Watertown

Town of Wolcott

Town of Woodbury

Bristol-Burlington Health District (Bristol)

Chesprocott Health District (Cheshire, Prospect & Wolcott)

Naugatuck Valley Health District (Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour & Shelton)

Housatonic Valley Health District (Oxford, Southbury & Woodbury)

Torrington Area Health District (Bethlehem, Middlebury, Plymouth, Thomaston & Watertown)

Waterbury Department of Public Health

Emergency Orders issued by the Governor and State Agencies

Executive Order No 700 “Protection of Public Health and Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic and Response – Procedures for Local Appointments and Elections Requiring In-Person Vote”

Governor Lamont’s Press Releases

Connecticut COVID-19 Data Tracker

Find a Test Center Near You including No-Cost COVID-19 Test Sites

Department of Public Health (DPH) resources

Department of Housing (DOH) Housing Notices and Orders regarding COVID-19

Connecticut State Department of Education Supporting Student Participation

Department of Social Services for SNAP and Child Support Services

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) resources for social distancing at state parks, beaches and more.

CT State Library for updates on local libraries.

Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection (4-CT) was launched as a non-profit that unites donors with state-wide programs that will help make an immediate impact.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Elegible Emergency Protective Measures

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Public Health Emergency

American Red Cross

World Health Organization (WHO)

Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) news and resources

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) resources

Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) news and updates

Municipal Guidance Document #1 “Suspension of In Person Open Meeting Requirements”

Municipal Guidance Document #4 “Suspension of Tax Deadlines and Collection Efforts”

Municipal Guidance Document #5 “Suspension of In-Person Voting Requirements by the Public in the Municipal Budget Process”

Municipal Guidance Document #8 Index of Executive Orders Pertinent to Municipalities

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes funds for Connecticut governments to pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has established the Municipal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Program to reimburse municipalities for such costs.

Rules on Use, Allowable Costs & Ineligible Costs and Program Overview

Program Forms, Fact Sheets, and Application Portal

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)

Connecticut Insurance Department (CID)  

Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL)

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

CT DECD – Stop the Spread in English and Spanish.

CT CBIA – Reopen Connecticut resources and materials.

CDC – Print Resources web page with information covering a variety of topics.

Watch live updates on global and national counts of COVID-19 by Johns Hopkins University

Also see state-by-state testing trends by Johns Hopkins University.

Oxford Route 67 Alternative Transportation Study

The Town of Oxford has been awarded a $3.4 million Congressionally Directed Spending grant that will pay for building a mile-long multi-use path on Route 67 that is integral to making the center of Oxford more walkable and bicycle-friendly. 

Oxford was awarded the grant in December, and the project is in the design phase. The path will run from Dutton Road to Quarry Walk, a mixed-use development with stores, medical and commercial office space and 150 residential units. Plans include three pedestrian bridges to carry the path over water courses, a sidewalk between Oxford Municipal Center/ Town Hall and Academy Road along with lighting, street furniture and crosswalks. 

Building a multi-use path for cyclists and walkers along Route 67 is a key component of the Oxford Route 67 Alternative Transportation Study that the town did with NVCOG and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). The Oxford Board of Selection endorsed the final report in February 2022.

The study investigated the potential for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit improvements along Route 67 in Oxford.  The study was funded by NVCOG with federal transportation planning funds and was conducted with support by TranSystems, a planning and engineering consultant with offices in Meriden, CT.  It was overseen by the Oxford Main Street Committee that was formed in 2017.

A short section of that path opened in 2021 and runs from the Little River Nature Preserve (across from Oxford Town Hall) to Dutton Road.

Route 67

Existing Conditions along Route 67. Note the lack of pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.

Unlike many of its neighbors, Oxford does not have a typical walkable New England downtown or Main Street.  Instead, municipal services and commercial areas are dispersed along with residences along State Route 67. Although Route 67 is fundamentally Oxford’s “Main Street,” it had no sidewalks or any safe bicycle or pedestrian access, and traffic speeds are excessive with no visual cues to alert motorists that they are driving through an area where they may encounter walkers or bicyclists.  In addition, no public transit is operated along Route 67 that could provide residents an alternative transportation option.  Transit options by train on Metro North and by bus on CT Transit are available only one mile from the Oxford town line, but there is currently no way for Oxford residents to safely access these services without a personal motor vehicle.

In Oxford’s 2018 Plan of Conservation and Development, the town prioritized creating more of a downtown feel along Route 67, and the Oxford Main Street Committee has been investigating streetscape improvements, sidewalks and trails within the corridor to improve non-motorized access.    The study built on the committee’s prior work to develop a cohesive plan for the entire corridor to better enable the Town to plan, prioritize, and fund future improvements.

Explore Study Findings

The interactive Project Storymap presents the study and potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements to Route 67 

Explore the Project Area

The interactive Project Webmap allows users to explore the project corridor in greater detail by turning on and off various data layers that are informing the study:

 

Project Documents and Information:

Reports
Final Report
DRAFT Final Report
DRAFT Existing Conditions Report
 
Public Information Meetings
6/17/2021 Meeting Recording
6/17/2021 Presentation Slides
6/17/2021 Project Fact Sheet
10/8/2020 Meeting Recording
10/8/2020 Presentation Slides
10/8/2020 Report of Meeting
 
Advisory Committee Meetings
4/27/2021 Presentation
1/26/2021 Presentation
1/26/2021 Report of Meeting
7/28/2020 Presentation
7/28/2020 Report of Meeting
5/26/2020 Presentation
5/26/2020 Report of Meeting
12/10/2019 Report of Meeting
 
Press Releases
6/17/2021 Public Information
9/22/2020 Public Information
2/17/2020 Project Kickoff
 
Additional Resources
CT DOT Interactive Bike Map
Naugatuck River Greenway (webpage)
Larkin State Bridle Trail (webpage)

Upcoming Meetings

There are no upcoming events.

View Full Calendar

Staff Contact:

Aaron Budris
Senior Regional Planner
abudris@nvcogct.gov

Regional Plan of Conservation and Development

RPOCD 2023 – Regional Planning Starts with You!

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is working on its first Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD). The RPOCD is an advisory policy document which will help guide regional development and investment in the NVCOG community over the next ten years to 2033. We anticipate this RPOCD to be completed in 2023. Please click the tabs below to learn more about our RPOCD, participate public outreach and follow the progress of our work.

Staff Contact:  

Joanna Rogalski
Senior Regional Planner
jrogalski@nvcogct.gov

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Regional Wastewater Treatment Consolidation Study

Wastewater equipment in Seymour.

Wastewater equipment in Seymour.The state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has authorized $1.35 million for NVCOG to conduct a regional wastewater treatment consolidation study. The study, which began in April 2018,  will provide a preliminary analysis to help determine the region’s ability to increase capacity for properly treating wastewater in a consolidated facility or facilities, thereby leading to a reduction in long-term state and local capital improvements and a reduction of user fees.

Specifically, wastewater treatment plants in the municipalities of Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia and Derby are being analyzed for potential consolidation and/or the sharing of services. In addition to providing potential recommendations to mitigate costs and capital expenditures that will be required for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plants located in these communities, the study is designed to set an example for other communities throughout Connecticut in consolidating plants and reducing costs. The NVCOG conducted a Request for Proposal for study consultant services in mid-2017. Following a Qualification Based Selection process, Black & Veatch, of Overland Park, Kansas, was selected as the vendor. 

The study is being conducted in two phases. Phase 1 concluded in early 2019. The tasks included a review of existing planning documents and related assessments of existing wastewater treatment facilities and collection system infrastructures. It also provided an estimation of 20-year wastewater flows and load projections for each participating municipality, summarized existing wastewater system management and governance for each participating municipality, and identified potential opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies through alternative approaches to system management and governance structure. In addition, Phase 1  identified a long list of wastewater regionalization alternatives that appear to have initial merit for consideration.

Phase 2, which began in March 2020, will include a more extensive technical and engineering analysis, as well as identification of a short list of alternatives and preferred alternative(s) to the systems currently in place. It will also include a Cost Benefit Analysis, crafting of a Governance Model for any proposed regional wastewater entity and Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE). It is expected to formally conclude in early 2022.

Associated Documents:

December 11, 2018 Workshop Presentation

Technical Memo TM-1

DRAFT Technical Memo TM-2

Technical Memo 2 – Condition Assessment

Agendas & Minutes:

May 30, 2018 Workshop Minutes

December 11, 2018 Workshop Minutes
June 25, 2020 Workshop Presentation
June 25, 2020 Workshop Report of Meeting
June 25, 2020 Workshop Video 
October 15, 2020 Governance & Economic Analysis Workshop Presentation 
October 15, 2020 Governance & Economic Component Workshop Video
June 8, 2021 Stakeholder Workshop Video
January 26, 2022 Public Information Meeting Video

Staff Contact:

Rick Dunne

Executive Director
rdunne@nvcogct.gov

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Route 8 & Waterbury Branch Line Corridor/Alternative Modes Study

A study of options to reduce congestion and increase mobility throughout the Route 8 and Waterbury Branch Rail Line corridors

About the Study

The Route 8 & Waterbury Branch Line Corridor/Alternative Modes Study is assessing the needs and opportunities for improving service on the Waterbury Branch Line and the feasibility of alternatives to single occupancy vehicles. A draft of the final report is available to read, and a hybrid public information session was held on Dec. 15. These alternative modes include commuter rail, express bus and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), walking and biking. The project is being led by AECOM Technical Services, Inc. The study team has completed an overview of existing travel conditions within the corridor, an assessment of transit-oriented development opportunities within rail station areas, and the feasibility of instituting BRT service. A website has been set up to provide project details. Click here to access the Alt Modes Study website.

Transit Rider Input

In support of the study goals and objectives, the NVCOG conducted an on-board count and survey of passengers riding the Waterbury branch line trains. All inbound and outbound trains were counted and surveyed over a three-day period.  The goals of the survey were to gain insight into the key concerns passengers have with quality and frequency of service.

Take a look at what the riders had to say about train service in the Naugatuck Valley: WBL Passenger Count Summary.

Transit-Oriented Development 

An important task of the study was determining the feasibility of Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) in the vicinity of the Waterbury rail line stations. A TOD integrates land use, transportation, and the environment and results in new housing, jobs, and more sustainable and walkable communities. They are characterized by compact, mixed-use land uses that provide a wide range of housing styles and commercial space choices. To guide the assessment, the study team conducted a series of workshops in each community along the rail line and developed a Visual Preference Survey that allowed residents to describe how they would like to see their downtowns in the future. From these preference surveys, model TOD blocks were created. To read more about possible TOD scenarios in the Naugatuck Valley: TOD Scenario Report   

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) 

While the primary objective of the study is to improve and enhance service on the Waterbury line, other transit actions were also explored. Regular fixed-route bus services operate in the corridor, but they do not provide travel time efficiencies that commuters find attractive. A BRT operation blends the positive features of rail with the flexibility of bus transit, to make riding the bus a higher-end service alternative. The study team explored the merits of enhancing bus service between Derby and Bridgeport, identifying five possible alternatives. The preferred option included the construction of a dedicated busway within the median of Route 8 with limited stops at newly created transit hubs. Feeder bus services would be implemented to move travelers from the transit hubs to their final destinations. This action is considered a long-term vision for the corridor. To learn more about BRT in Naugatuck Valley:  BRT Scenario Report   

Next Steps 

The study is advancing to the final recommendations with a focus on a capital and operations improvement plan for the Waterbury Rail Line and a long-term vision of developing a Bus Rapid Transit system along Route 8 between Derby and Bridgeport. A visualization of recommended services is being developed and the study team will be meeting with municipal representatives to promote TOD land uses.  

In the meantime, the NVCOG is working with its mayors, first selectmen, and its state legislative delegation to support funding for needed short-term Waterbury rail line improvements.  In January 2020, NVCOG held the Naugatuck Valley Rail Conference to engage stakeholders in a dialog about the region’s rail needs.   

Watch statewide news coverage of the event here.

Study Documents

Existing Conditions Report

Transit Oriented Development Scenario Report

Bus Rapid Transit Assessment

Draft Final Report

Staff Contact: 

Mark Nielsen
Director of Planning/Assistant Director
mnielsen@nvcogct.gov

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