Above: Pedestrians walk past construction on the transitway at the corner of Elm Street and Myrtle Avenue in August.
One year and two months after the city aimed to complete the first phase of the Stamford Urban Transitway, Mayor Michael Pavia announced Tuesday the roadway portion of the work is complete.
Merry Christmas Stamford drivers!
The city has yet to get underway on the second phase of the project, which Pavia has said he does not want to begin until a thorough “post-mortem” is conducted on Phase I, which has been marred by delays, cost overruns, and questions regarding the job’s general contractor, Earth Technology, Inc., which is facing federal indictment on charges of conspiracy, fraud, and money-laundering for an alleged scheme to overcharge for work on a New York shopping mall.
Feel free to share what you think of the new roadway. Does it accomplish its goal of reducing traffic and making it easier to get to and from the Stamford train station? Are you just darn glad to have the construction disappear at last?
Also, I’d love to hear thoughts on the new HOV lane, which if I’m correct, is 24-7. (A little absurd, perhaps?) City engineer Lou Casolo has said the HOV lane was a mandatory condition for certain federal grants to fund the transitway.
From the mayor’s office:
Mayor Michael A. Pavia is pleased to announce the completion of the roadway portion of the Stamford Urban Transitway (SUT). The completion marks the end of Phase I that will allow for easier commutes for all city residents.
With funding support from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and assistance by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City’s Engineering Bureau initiated construction in October 2007. The project was closely monitored by project oversight officials from the FTA and FHWA ensured compliance with all federal regulations.
A Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be held at the corner of Jefferson Street and Elm Street on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 11:00 am to mark the occasion.
