June 5, 2024 – Stafford, CT
Work on New City Road is already underway, and the first phase of the Furnace Road project is expected to be completed months early. But what everyone really wants to know is if their road is next.
During Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Director of Public Works Devin Cowperthwaite started revealing his plan for the rest of the town's roads. Right now, he’s studying the data on Hampden Road and Old Springfield Road, but he suspects Old Springfield Road will be the next project to be done using the town paving budget.
Hampden Road is eligible for funding through STEAP and other grant programs that do not apply to Old Springfield Road, so the town will likely apply for additional funds to help with that project. In fact, First Selectman Bill Morrison says he has asked Amber Wakely-Whaley, Stafford’s grant coordinator, to start getting the materials ready to apply for the grant.
In years past, STEAP grants have been for $500,000, but this year, that is increasing to $1 million. Cowperthwaite says the town must match 20% of the funds. “If the paving budget remains the same, we would use that” to meet the match requirement.
Selectman Kurt Vail asked if Cowperthwaite has definitely decided on Old Springfield Road. Cowperthwaite said he was still finalizing the decision, looking at asphalt thickness and other factors. He also said that most of the town’s paving projects had been full-depth reclamations but that there may be sections of these roads that can just be milled and repaved. Still, Old Springfield Road is looking like the most likely candidate.
Other DPW news
Dirt roads—Cowperthwaite also reported that the town’s grader for dirt roads has been in the shop since January and that the town has been unable to get it back. The machine is over 20 years old, and parts are hard to get. Cowperthwaite has asked if the mechanics can seal it back up and send it back so the town can use it to work on its many miles of dirt roads. DPW would the send the grader back for its needed repairs in the winter. However, it’s unclear whether that will be possible as, again, parts are hard to find. DPW has tried to borrow a grader from the state and Willington to no avail. Cowperthwaite says that his team has been pothole patching on the dirt roads, but with hard rains sure to come this summer during hurricane season, it could be problematic to be without the grader.
Route 19—The state is expected to start a repaving project near the Massachusetts border. First Selectman Bill Morrison says he asked the state not to put a passing lane on that stretch of road after residents expressed concern over how fast people drive on the straightaway.
Increased hours—Morrison says he asked the DPW to add hours to their schedule and is using savings in the snow removal budget to pay for it. While the department has many projects, Morrison specifically talked about pothole patching and working to preserve roads that may not be in the immediate queue for full repaving projects. He says the crews will be more visible and often working on Fridays when town hall is typically closed. “There’s not a lot the Board of Selectmen can give to people in town other than good roads and good schools,” says Morrison, and this is how he is working toward one of those goals.
Bridge replacement and rehabilitation—Four bridge projects are in the works, three of which are being funded under the Federal Local Bridge Program (FLBP). This program uses 80% Federal Funding and 20% State Funding to update bridges.
Hydeville Road—Approved under FLBP for a full bridge replacement, which is being designed; construction anticipated in 2026
Whispering Pines Road—Approved under FLBP for full bridge replacement, which is being designed; construction anticipated in 2025
Stonehouse Road—This has been approved under FLBP, and while it's also being designed, it’s still very early in the process.
Spring Street—Stafford’s DPW is working with CT DOT to get an application submitted for rehabilitation