Pepper St. Reconstruction Project Update From Monroe First Selectman

**News release submitted by Monroe First Selectman Ken Kellogg**

As I have reported in the past, I share the frustration of residents regarding the delays in the Pepper Street reconstruction project, and involved the Town Attorney to review the matter. As discussed in more detail below, I am pleased to report that the general contractor has revised the project schedule and committed to the project being substantially completed before the end of the calendar year.

Roughly a year ago, the general contractor experienced significant delays due to pandemic-related supply chain issues coupled with unforeseen conflicts caused by the relocation of utility company equipment and transmission lines in the project area. While some utility work remains, none is expected to preclude the general contractor from a timely completion of the project going forward.

With the assistance of Town staff, legal team, our onsite project consultant and the Connecticut Department of Transportation, which covers 90% of the project’s costs through state and federal funds, my concerns regarding the progress of the work and our overarching goal to complete the project expeditiously have been clearly communicated to the contractor. That communication included my demand that the general contractor devotes the necessary resources to ensure that the project be substantially completed this calendar year.

At our most recent meeting last week, the contractor’s president, and his legal counsel, made a clear commitment to devote the resources necessary to substantially complete the project by November of this year.

This project includes dramatic safety and geometric improvements to improve sightlines, including lowering the roadway in some areas. The intersection at Main Street will have an upgraded traffic signal installed. Additionally, the drainage improvements go well beyond routine, and include a complete replacement of the culvert at the Jockey Hollow Road intersection.

I have further demanded that the contractor provide regular updates on the progress of the project in a format that may be clearly communicated to our residents. I will share these progress updates as I receive them while we await the long-overdue completion of this project.

**News release submitted by Monroe First Selectman Ken Kellogg**