CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: September 15, 2014

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Improvements to Route 73 (Main Street) in Watertown

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that construction activity will begin on Thursday, September 18, 2014 for improvements to Route 73 (Main St.) in the vicinity of Candee Hill Road in Watertown.

      The project consists of realignment of Route 73 between Candee Hill Road and Rockdale Avenue, for a total length of 1300 feet.  The project will soften the existing curve, improve sightlines by removing a concrete abutment for an abandoned railroad on the south side of Route 73 and reconfiguration of the embankment slope to improve the sightlines.

      Additional improvements include the re-striping of the pavement markings to provide a westbound bypass on CT Route 73 at Candee Hill Road, delineation of the driveway access to Steele Brook Commons, improvement of the turning radius on Rockdale Avenue No. 2, and replacement of the existing bituminous concrete sidewalk on the north side with a 5’ wide concrete sidewalk.

      The existing drainage systems will be modified to accommodate the proposed roadway footprint. Additionally, a new drainage outlet to Steele Brook is proposed to convey storm-water runoff from the improve sightlines re-graded embankment slope opposite Steele Brook Commons.