NEW MILFORD, CT — New Milford officials reported progress on several road and bridge improvement projects during the Municipal Road Commission's Sept. 15 meeting, including plans to solicit bids for improvements at the Hine Hill Road and Grove Street intersection and the completion of easement agreements needed for work on Wellsville Avenue.
Design Engineer Chuck Ballard told commissioners that the Hine Hill Road and Grove Street intersection project was scheduled to go out to bid Sept. 18, with a contract award anticipated approximately 30 days later.
Construction is planned for 2027, with an estimated duration of 240 days.
Ballard said contracts could be signed after the bid award and the necessary Connecticut Department of Transportation approvals.
The project will include a galvanized metal traffic signal pole with an estimated four-month lead time. Ballard said the intersection would have New Milford's only town-owned traffic light.
Ballard reported that the town had obtained all 12 easements needed for the Wellsville Avenue reconstruction project.
The Town Council had approved the easements, which were acquired for approximately $4,300.
Ballard said the documents would be filed with the Town Clerk's Office and forwarded to the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, or WestCOG, for final approval.
Two other intersection projects also advanced.
For the Pumpkin Hill intersection project, Ballard said the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had signed off on an easement, which was subsequently filed with the Town Clerk's Office.
The documents were returned to the project's designers for inclusion in the final submission to WestCOG.
At the Route 202 and Elm Street intersection, Ballard reported that an easement agreement between the town and Nuvance Health had been signed and filed with the Town Clerk's Office.
The easement map will be incorporated into the project's final approval package.
Public Works officials also provided an update on the town's 2026 road construction program.
Drainage improvements were nearing completion on Jerusalem Hill and Candlewood Mountain roads, with crews preparing to fill and pave the trenches.
Several smaller drainage projects remained unfinished, along with final corrective work scheduled before the end of the construction season.
Ballard said Sunrise Lane and the lower section of Hine Hill Road were also scheduled for paving.
Ballard reported that the Brookside Bridge project had experienced delays because of redesign work but remained on schedule for completion by Nov. 15.
The town also received a grant for improvements to the Boardman Bridge.
Public Works Director Jack Healy said the project would proceed one lane at a time to avoid a complete bridge closure and limit disruptions to residents and local businesses.
Healy said addressing the bridge was important because two other bridges in town had received downgraded ratings.
Ballard also provided an anticipated schedule for other bridge improvements:
Highway Foreman Chris Jurgens told commissioners that Public Works crews were continuing routine maintenance, including roadside mowing and tree work.
The town had completed guardrail repairs or replacements at seven locations.
Crews also repaired gravel roads and sinkhole damage resulting from late-summer storms.
Jurgens said most storm-related damage had been addressed, allowing crews to catch up on other maintenance projects.
The department was also preparing equipment for winter and maintaining an inventory of stormwater retention ponds to identify those requiring additional work.
Jurgens said he was working with the town's Purchasing Department to acquire equipment approved through a town vote involving capital surplus revenue.
The commission unanimously approved its Aug. 18 meeting minutes with minor spelling corrections.
The minutes record two motions concerning approval of the same meeting minutes, both passing unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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