Branford's Much Anticipated Main Street Reconstruction, Rehabilitation Project Gets Underway April 1

BRANFORD, CT—The anticipated Main Street Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project is a go.

Set to begin April 1, the town has awarded the $11,352,910 project to a Woodbridge concrete and paving company. Funding for construction is through a CT DOT Local Transportation Capital Improvement Plan (LoTCIP) grant obtained by the Engineering Department.

Described as a "complete rejuvenation of the streetscape in the center of town," Colonna Concrete and Asphalt Paving LLC of Woodbridge begins work on the project April 1.

And the town has engaged M&J Engineering P.C. of Hyde Park, New York, with its Connecticut team based in Hamden, for construction engineering and inspection services for the project.

According to the town, the contractor, Colonna Concrete and Asphalt Paving, has extensive experience in major roadway construction and has completed similar roadway projects in Chester, Trumbull, Danbury, and Waterford.

One of M & J's primary roles as project engineer is to anticipate and mitigate problems as they arise during construction, a news release from Branford town officials reads.

"As the on-site inspectors, M&J will be responsible for oversight of the contractor to ensure construction adheres to the plans and specifications and will work with the contractor to provide look-ahead schedules.

"You will see M&J and town staff along Main Street throughout the project; please feel free to ask questions and voice concerns when you have them," officials said.

What to expect

Major construction is expected to begin April 1; however, preliminary work has already begun.

Construction is currently proposed to begin at the western end of the project near the intersection of Laurel Street and continue easterly approximately 2,350 feet to just east of Chestnut Street. The utility companies will also be performing utility pole relocations at various locations throughout the project.

The anticipated sequence of construction will be as follows:

-Installation of the drainage system

-Underground electrical

-Curbing and sidewalks

-Roadway section construction

-Landscaping

Per the town, contractor Colonna is allowed a total of 240 working days to complete the project, excluding winter shutdown periods. As is the case with many major projects, factors outside of the contractor's control, like severe weather, material shortages, and strikes, may allow for the extension of the project past the allotted days.

Two hundred and forty working days from April 1, assuming five working days per week, and without any weather, supply, or other "factors outside the contractor's control," would be around a year, March 2027.

"The Town, M&J, and Colonna are all committed to keeping the project on task and to delivering a landmark project the entire town can be proud of," the news release reads.

Town outreach, keeping residents looped in

"The Town’s goal is to keep the lines of communication open so we can try and minimize
disruptions as we are able," it's noted in a town statement.

"This will include regular updates on progress, detours, and lane closures on the town's website and Facebook pages, as well as targeted outreach to business owners and residents who are in the center of town," officials wrote. "We know this project will be a major change to our daily lives in town, but the goal is for everyone to look back when it’s complete and know it was worth it. We look forward to getting underway with construction and appreciate everyone’s patience, cooperation, and kindness during this project."