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CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546 |
| FOR RELEASE: September 30, 2016 |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot |
Public Hearing for the Walk Bridge Replacement Project to be held November 17th
Public Comment Period Extended Through December 5th
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a public hearing on the Environmental Assessment/Section 4(f) Evaluation and Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) of the Walk Bridge Replacement Project on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Concert Hall at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk. The public is invited to review informational exhibits at 6 PM and to attend the public hearing at 7 PM.
The public comment period will remain open through December 5, 2016.
CTDOT extended the comment period, originally 45-days, and postponed the public hearing, originally scheduled for October 6, 2016, at the request of the City of Norwalk to allow additional time for the City and stakeholders to review the EA/EIE.
“We want everyone to have ample opportunity to comment on this very complex project,” Said CTDOT Commissioner James Redeker. “We encourage all stakeholders and interested parties to attend the public hearing and voice their opinions and concerns. .
The purpose of the Walk Bridge Replacement Project (Project No. 0301-0176) is to replace the deteriorating railroad bridge over the Norwalk River in Norwalk. One of the oldest movable bridges in the country, the Walk Bridge is a critical transportation link on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston and carries four tracks of Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak and freight service.
Construction of the new Walk Bridge is anticipated to begin in mid-2018, based on the availability of funding. This project is expected to be undertaken with Federal and State funds.
The EA/EIE, published by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and CTDOT on September 6, 2016, is available for review at CTDOT’s Newington Headquarters, the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, Norwalk City Hall Town Clerk’s Office, and Norwalk Public Libraries, and on the Project Website at www.walkbridgect.com/environmental. The public is encouraged to provide comments on the EA/EIE during the comment period.
The Public Hearing is being held to provide an opportunity for oral testimony by interested individuals. Written statements and exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the public hearing may be submitted at the public hearing via comment cards.
Written comments can be mailed or delivered to Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111 on or before December 5, 2016. Such written statements or exhibits must be reproducible in black and white and on paper not to exceed 8 ½” x 11” in size. Public comment can also be submitted through the Walk Bridge Program’s website at www.walkbridgect.com/contact or via email to info@walkbridgect.com. These written statements or exhibits will be made a part of the record of the public hearing. CTDOT will consider all oral and written comments received during the public comment period.
After the public comment period, public and stakeholder input is recorded and addressed in the final environmental documents, anticipated to be a NEPA Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and a CEPA Record of Decision (ROD).
The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Free language assistance or sign interpretation may be requested by contacting the Program’s Public Information Office at (203) 752-1996 at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting. Efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance.
If postponement is required due to inclement weather, the public hearing will be held on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the original time and location. The public comment period end date will remain December 5, 2016.
More detailed information is available online at www.walkbridgect.com.
Location: Norwalk City Hall, Concert Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2016
Start Time: 6:00 PM
Contact Person: Mark W. Alexander
Contact Email: info@walkbridgect.com
Bureau: Bureau of Engineering and Construction
ADDITIONAL INFO-
The public can sign up to receive email updates on the Walk Bridge Program, including additional opportunities for public input, at www.walkbridgect.com/contact.