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.”

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GBVMPO Public Participation and Title VI Plans Public Information Meeting

NOTICE is hereby given that the Greater Bridgeport and Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (GBVMPO) has developed drafts of the Public Participation Plan and the Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency Plan for the Greater Bridgeport and Valley planning regions. The Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (”MetroCOG”) serves as the host agency of the GBVMPO.

The purpose of the Public Participation Plan is to actively involve all affected parties in an open, cooperative, and collaborative process that provides meaningful opportunities to influence transportation decisions and is consistent with 23 CFR § 450.316.

The Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency Plan have been prepared in accordance with Section 601 of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 so as to ensure that the level and quality of MetroCOG’s and the GBVMPO’s planning services are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner and that the opportunity for full and fair participation is offered to the community. Through this program, MetroCOG has also examined the need for services and materials for persons for whom English is not their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English.

A forty-five (45) day review and comment period has been established, beginning on September 7, 2018 and ending on October 22, 2018. The public is welcomed and encouraged to review and comment on the drafts of the Public Participation Plan and the Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency Plan. Copies of both documents are available for review at the offices of Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments, 1000 Lafayette Boulevard, Suite 925 (ninth floor), Bridgeport, CT 06604 and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments 49 Leavenworth Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, Connecticut 06702. Drafts can also be viewed on-line at ctmetro.org and nvcogct.org.

NOTICE is also given that MetroCOG will hold a public information meeting concerning the draft documents on October 22, 2018 at 5:00 PM in the conference room of the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments, 1000 Lafayette Boulevard, Suite 925 (ninth floor), Bridgeport, CT 06604. Agency staff will be available at 4:30 PM to informally discuss any aspects relating to the drafts and any other transportation issues and concerns.

The public is encouraged to attend this meeting to learn more about the Public Participation Plan and the Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency Plan and to express their support or concerns regarding these documents. Comments may be made orally at the information meetings, via e-mail or in writing. Written comments must be clearly legible, submitted on 8½” by 11″ paper and include the person’s name and address. Any person wishing to comment may submit their comments in writing to Matt Fulda, Executive Director, MetroCOG, mfulda@ctmetro.org or Rick Dunne, Executive Director, NVCOG, rdunne@nvcogct.org. Written comments must be received before 10 AM on October 22, 2018. The MPO will consider endorsement of the draft Public Participation Plan and the Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency Plan at its regular meeting to be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018. The public is invited to attend this MPO meeting and will be afforded an opportunity to comment before the plans and programs are considered by the MPO.

For more information, please call MetroCOG at (203) 366-5405 or NVCOG at (203) 735-8688. Language assistance may be requested within a reasonable timeframe and is provided at no cost to the public.

Public Participation Plan / Plan de Participación Pública (es)

Title VI & LEP Plan / Programa de Título VI y Plan de Dominio Limitado del Inglés (es)