Public Meeting to Provide Update on Derby-Shelton Bridge Renovation Plans

On Wednesday, January 9, The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) will hold a second public information meeting to update the public on the design of renovations and enhancements to the Derby-Shelton Bridge over the Housatonic River (snow date Thursday, January 17). The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers in Derby City Hall, 1 Elizabeth Street, Derby and provide residents and stakeholders an opportunity to learn project details, including updated design plans and project timeline, and provide input on the design changes that have taken place since the first public informational meeting that was held on April 18, 2018.

The intent of the project is to create an aesthetically pleasing public space along the Derby-Shelton Bridge and provide an attractive gateway to the downtown areas of Derby and Shelton. It is being designed by AECOM under contract to the NVCOG. Construction will be advertised and administrated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

The project will include:

• The replacement of bridge parapet walls; The new parapet will be a solid concrete wall and include decorative metal railings; The railing treatment and its placement along the parapet will provide safety, as well as aesthetically attractive sightlines.

• The removal of existing lighting and replacement with period style lights that both enhance the presence of the bridge at night and comply with dark sky guidelines;

• Various roadway improvements, including adjusting the lane and shoulder widths and providing a second eastbound traffic lane, increasing the width of the sidewalk on the south side of the bridge to accommodate a larger public space and a separated lane for bicyclists.

• The project will also offer connectivity with the existing Housatonic Riverwalk trail network in Shelton and the Derby Greenway/Naugatuck River Greenway in Derby. The project limits will extend from the Bridge Street intersection with Main Street in Derby to the west end of the Derby-Shelton Bridge and includes the connections to Canal Street.

It is currently expected that the design will be completed in late 2019, with construction being bid in early 2020 and completed by the end of that calendar year. While travel lanes may be narrowed, there will be no reduction in roadway capacity.

“There have been some minor modifications to the project since our last public information meeting in April to consider comments we had received,” said Mark Nielsen, NVCOG Director of Planning. “The January 9 meeting will give residents and stakeholders the opportunity to learn about those changes, as well as allow for input and comments as the project enters the final design phase.”

–End–

Naugatuck Valley Regional Profile 2018 Now Available!

NVCOG staff has just completed an update to the Regional Profile for the 19-municipality Naugatuck Valley Region. The Regional Profile compiles population, economic, and housing data from a variety of sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

Naugatuck Valley Regional Profile 2018

As a supplement to the Regional Profile, NVCOG staff has created an interactive web-based application to provide access to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data at the block  group or block level. This tool allows users to obtain statistics for smaller areas within a municipality. The application can be accessed here:

Naugatuck Valley Regional Profile 2018 – Maps (Interactive web application)

 

2018 Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum

The MAP Forum is a consortium of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the coordination of planning activities in the multi-state metropolitan region. Click here for the meeting agenda.

NVCOG Compares Mid-term Voter Turnout

 Click to enlarge image.

Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in this past election; data is from the Connecticut Secretary of State website.

The average voter turnout rate for the region was 67.2%, higher than the state rate of 65.8%.  In comparison, the voter turnout rate for the state in the 2016 Presidential Election was 76.9%.

The map shows the voter turnout rate for the 19 municipalities within the region, along with results for the gubernatorial race.

Informational Meeting: Ansonia Park & Riverwalk – Segments 3 & 4

The preliminary design has been completed for the City of Ansonia’s construction of approximately 2,100 feet of multi-use trail, which is part of the Riverwalk improvements to create the Ansonia Park & Riverwalk – Segments 3 & 4.

The City and the Ansonia Economic Development office will conduct an informational meeting on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 6 p.m. at Ansonia City Hall, Aldermanic Chamber, 253 Main St, Ansonia, CT

Public Notice: Multi-State Freight Working Group Third Meeting

For security purposes, anyone interested in attending in person should RSVP to Andrea.Miles-Cole@dot.ny.gov no later than noon on Wednesday October 10th. Please be sure and have a photo ID at the meeting location.

MEETING AGENDA

Please note that the meeting also will be available as a webinar if you cannot attend in person:

The MAP Forum is a consortium of metropolitan planning organizations and councils of government in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the coordination of planning activities in the multi-state metropolitan region.

The MAP Forum complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and federal Limited English Proficiency guidelines. If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, or translation services, or American Sign Language, please contact Andrea Miles-Cole, 718.482.4551, Andrea.Miles-Cole@dot.ny.gov no later than Friday October 5th.

NVCOG Releases a Regional Map Viewer

The viewer also showcases several mapping layers created and maintained by NVCOG such as land use, zoning, and open space as well as numerous environmental layers provided by CT ECO and by FEMA. Users can mark up the map with a point/line/circle or text and then print the map with a custom title. A user guide can be accessed through a link on the top bar. Try it out here: https://arcg.is/1jjCOT