2015-2040 VCOG Long Range Regional Transportation Plan Released

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GREATER BRIDGEPORT AND VALLEY

METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

FINAL LONG RANGE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANS

 

The Greater Bridgeport Regional Council (GBRC) and the Valley Council of Governments (VCOG) have completed updates to their respective long range Regional Transportation PlansThe Plans have been assessed for their impact on air quality. 

The MPO endorsed the LRTPs and adoped the Ozone and PM2.5 Air Quality Conformity Statements on Tuesday, April 14th, 2015. 

GBRC Long Range Regional Plan can be viewed at the GBRC website.

VCOG Long Range Regional Transportation Plan 2015-2040

 

2015-2040 CNV Region MPO Long Range Regional Transportation Plan Released

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Central Naugatuck Valley Region Metropolitan Planning Organization

Long Range Regional Transportation Plan

The Long Range Regional Transportation Plan was adopted by the CNVRMPO at its April 10th meeting. The Regional Transportation Plan analyzes the existing transportation system in the Central Naugatuck Valley Region as well as future transportation needs and recommends improvements to the system. 

 

DECD Brownfields Information Session, March 16, 2015

 Information Session 

New DECD Brownfields Funding

hosted by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
Regional Brownfields Partnership of West Central CT

 

 2:00 PM

March 16, 2015

Waterbury Regional Chamber

83 Bank Street, #2, Waterbury

DECD will be presenting a series of regional information sessions for potential applicants interested in learning more about this upcoming round of funding.  Tim Sullivan, DECD’s Director of Brownfields, Waterfront, and Transit-Oriented Development, will review the scope of the new funding program and will discuss program requirements, application process and other details.

To Register Contact Lauren Rizzo: 203-757-0535 cogcnv@cogcnv.org    Register Now

To access the Notice of Funding and Application visit www.ctbrownfields.gov

Location Details: Waterbury Regional Chambers  

CMAQ Program Request for Applications

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The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), is soliciting applications for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. CMAQ funds projects that reduce congestion and help meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Eligible projects include diesel engine retrofits, traffic flow improvements, transit improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. For more a complete list of eligible projects and information on the application process, please visit the CMAQ Program page:

http://nvcogct.org/content/congestion-mitigation-and-air-quality

 

Waterbury Regional Transit Study Underway

NVCOG, in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, is conducting a comprehensive operations study of CT Transit – Waterbury, Connecticut’s fastest growing bus system. The Waterbury Area Transit Study (WATS) is looking at ways to improve bus service. The study will look at new routes, new destinations, downtown operations, hours of service, improved waiting areas, and more. 

Naugatuck Valley Region Historic Resources Interactive Storymap Published

 
We are pleased to announce the release of the Naugatuck Valley Region Historic Resources Storymap, an interactive web application that allows users to explore historic sites and museums in the nineteen town Naugatuck Valley Region.  The storymap can be accessed on our website at /content/historic-resources.  It includes information about 108 sites and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the National Park Service (NPS), as well as 28 local history museums you can visit to learn about local history.  It is intended to celebrate the new Naugatuck Valley planning region, and provide a fun and engaging way to learn about the region’s shared past.  The application was designed with residents, tourists, and local historical societies in mind, and it also contains enough information to be valuable to historians and researchers.  Since renovations on properties that are listed on the NRHP may be eligible for tax credits and historic preservation grants, real estate developers may also find the application useful.

Features:

  • An interactive map that allows users to zoom in and pan to areas of interest or directly to any municipality in the region, and view the location of historic resources.
  • Tabs highlighting National Register Sites and Districts as well as History Museums.
  • Summaries of the historic significance of all sites and districts on the NRHP.
  • Links to the original NRHP submission materials which contain a wealth of information about each property.
  • Links to additional resources.
  • Contact information and business hours for museums.
  • An adaptive interface that works great on smartphones or tablets, and can be used for self-guided tours.  A GPS locator is included that can pinpoint your location on the map in relation to historic sites (using your device’s GPS).
The storymap was created by COG staff as part of a larger data consolidation initiative, compiling data for the new 19 municipality Naugatuck Valley Region and making it available to the public. Questions and comments can be directed to Aaron Budris, Regional Planner/ GIS Specialist at abudris@cogcnv.org.

Students Walk for Safety

WATERBURY — When snow plows mound snow on curbs, some Naugatuck Valley Community College students find themselves walking on busy Chase Parkway to reach their campus.

At any time of year, walkers often feel the breeze of cars passing close by, according to Student Government Association President Iralis DeJesus.

“That’s how close the cars are to us,” DeJesus said during a press conference at the school Wednesday.

More than 100 cheering students joined school and city leaders for a walk down the busy road in front of the school, rallying for sidewalks.

During a press conference before the march, Mayor Neil M. O’Leary announced the city would split an estimated $250,000 cost to install a sidewalk along a portion of the desired route.

This will span from the campus’ west entrance to just beyond the east entrance, near where Chase Parkway takes a sharp right over Interstate 84 at the junction with West Main Street.

Despite some playful prodding from college President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, O’Leary didn’t commit to a schedule.

“I am a very happy woman this afternoon, because I know the mayor will get it done,” said De Filippis, turning to O’Leary. “You’ll get it done quickly right?”

O’Leary laughed. “You’re always raising the bar,” he said.

Samuel Gold, executive director of the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley, said it’s likely the sidewalk could be built in the summer 2015.

The sidewalk will tie in with other improvements around campus. NVCC plans to freshly pave the drives throughout its campus interior, and install interior sidewalks and lighting in 2015. The city and college will work together to build a new bus shelter along Chase Parkway this fall.

The new stretch of sidewalk will be a boon to students, but will still leave the college unconnected to other areas of the city by sidewalk. A particular problem is a blind curb were Chase Parkway meets West Main Street. A steep hill on the roadside leaves just enough room for a narrow foot-worn path.

“It really sucks when it’s snowy, because there’s no room and you have to walk in the street,” said Grant Lionello, a 30-year-old student making his way along the curve to get home Wednesday afternoon.

College and city officials want ultimately to stretch sidewalks east around that dangerous curve, and west to the Middlebury town line, but those are much trickier areas and will be costlier.

Unlike the stretch of Chase Parkway immediately in front of the college, construction in those areas would require buying or taking private property, officials say. The city and school would also have to seek state transportation dollars. All of this could take years.

Sen. Joan V. Hartley, D-Waterbury, said the college and its supporters decided to start with a portion they could accomplish in short order. Once complete, this could help leverage state transportation money steered by the Council of Governments. After all, Naugatuck Valley is a regional facility, serving students from other area towns represented in the council, she noted.

“What’s that they say? The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step,” De Filippis said.

Contact Michael Puffer at mpuffer@rep-am.com.