CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: March 6, 2008	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

      The Valley Council of Governments, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, will hold a design public hearing for State Project No. 36-179, the proposed Interchange 18 Improvements on Route 8 in the cities of Ansonia and Derby, on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ansonia City Hall, Ansonia Aldermanic Chambers, 253 Main Street, Ansonia, Connecticut.

      The public hearing will be concerned with the Valley Council of Government's recommended plan for the new northbound on-ramp from Division Street (Interchange 18), including modifications to Westfield Avenue.  This project will add turning lanes and modify the signalization at the intersection of Division Street with Seymour Avenue/Wakelee Avenue.

      It is expected that the rights-of-way and construction phases of this project will be funded under a Federal and State cooperative effort to improve traffic circulation and roadway safety in urban areas.

      In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Highway Administration's environmental regulations, 23CFR, Part 771.115, this project has been found to have no significant social, economic or environmental impacts and, as such, has been classified by the Connecticut Department of Transportation as a Categorical Exclusion.

      Tentative schedules for the right-of-way acquisition and the construction of this project will be discussed at the public hearing.

      Plans showing the recommended proposal are available for public inspection at the following locations:

      City Clerk's and Reg. of Vital Statistic’s Office

      Ansonia City Hall

      253 Main Street

      Ansonia, Connecticut

      Monday - Friday, 8:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.

      City Clerk’s and Reg. of Vital Statistic’s Office

      Derby City Hall

      One Elizabeth Street

      Derby, Connecticut

      Monday - Friday, 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

      Valley Council of Governments

      Main Street

      Railroad Station

      Derby, Connecticut 06418

      Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

      Attn: Richard T. Dunne

      Connecticut Department of Transportation

      C.E. Design - State Roads

      2800 Berlin Turnpike

      Newington, Connecticut

      Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

      Attn: Richard B. Armstrong

      Written statements and exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the public hearing may be submitted either at the public hearing or may be mailed or delivered to the attention of Mr. Richard T. Dunne, Executive Director, Valley Council of Governments, Main Street, Railroad Station, Derby, CT. 06418 on or before April 11, 2008. Such written statements or exhibits must be reproducible in black and white and on paper not to exceed 8 1/2" X 11" in size.  These written statements or exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing and will be considered in the same way as oral statements.

      Deaf and hearing impaired persons wishing to attend this public hearing and requiring an interpreter must make arrangements by contacting the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications (Voice only) at (860) 594-3062 at least five working days prior to the public hearing.

      Valley Council of Governments and Connecticut Department of Transportation personnel will be available one half hour prior to the public hearing to answer questions anyone may have regarding the project plans being presented.