Avon's Old Farms Road Project Approved At Polls

AVON, CT — Voters Wednesday said "yes" to a $5.5 million road project municipal leaders say will go a long way toward improving safety in town.

Voters approved the first phase of the Old Farms Road reconfiguration project, which would widen and shift portions of the heavily traveled roadway.

In a town-wide referendum at the Avon Senior Center, 1,329 voters said "yes" to the appropriation, while 1,017 said "no."

With the Connecticut Secretary of the State's office reporting 15,155 total voters in Avon, voter turnout was about 15.5 percent.

The positive vote affirms the formal appropriation of $5.46 million in state dollars to relocate, construct and reconstruct portions of Old Farms Road, which would constitute the first phase of an expected two-phase project.

Essentially, plans call for the shifting and widening of Old Farms Road onto property currently owned by Avon Old Farms School.

The hope is doing so would improve the geometry and widen the frequently-traveled roadway to avoid accidents in the area.

According to town officials, 91 percent of accidents on that stretch of road are due to the roadway's issues.

The second phase of this project involves additional Old Farms Road re-alignments and the replacing of two bridges to widen lanes and improve safety.

No price tag has been finalized for this phase, but town officials said its likely this will not be fully covered by the state and town bonding would be required.

The issue did have some concerned, with a few skeptics worried such a reconfiguration is too much and impacts the character of the town.

Proponents, though, including most town officials, said the changes would improve safety, not only for motorists, but help emergency responders and school buses get to where they need to go in town.

From Dec. 12: 'Avon Road Project Off To Voters Wednesday, Dec. 14'