Robert J. Hiza, Town Engineer for
Orange, CT, released the following status report for road improvement
projects in town:
In March 2013, a bond issuance of
$15,427,000 for various Town capital improvements was approved that
specifically included $5,000,000 for road improvement projects.
Lambert Road (2.4 miles ) was the first
road to be paved in the fall of 2013 at a cost of $477,471.00.
During June 2014, the following roads
were paved: (the length and cost of each job shown) Indian River
Road (0.95 miles) $209,640.00; Prindle Hill Road (0.37 miles)
$108,545.00; first portion of Old Tavern Road (0.42 miles)
$125,601.00; Dogburn Lane (0.98 miles) $231,878.00; Wheelers Farm
Road (1.75 miles) $329,132.00, Robinson Boulevard (0.27 miles)
$56,157.00; Marsh Hill Road (short repair 0.13 miles) $27,674.00.
Derby-Milford Road between Grassy Hill
Road and the driveway to University of New Haven was “rehabilitated”
by pulverizing the existing pavement and blending the material with
the subbase gravel, then grading, compacting and paving; a process
that for certain roads results in a “rebuilt” road. All the
other roads were milled and paved, a process that mills off 1 1/2″
of deteriorated asphalt and repaves with 1 1/2″ of hot mix.
The section of Derby-Milford Road (0.60
miles) between University of New Haven and Turkey Hill Road was not
included in the current paving program. Complete reconstruction will
be required to improve the road width, alignment, gradient, and storm
water drainage. This section of Derby-Milford Road is a primary
access to the University of New Haven campus. University of New
Haven is presently negotiating with Southern CT Gas Company to extend
a gas main to the campus by way of Turkey Hill Road, and the section
of Derby-Milford Road to be reconstructed. The Regional Water
Authority will also be extending their water main in this section of
road to provide a secondary source to the campus. A “joint venture”
should result in a coordination of all three (3) activities without
the need of tearing up new pavement or placing temporary pavement.
The estimated cost of road construction
for this section of Derby-Milford Road
is $1,500,000 and is on a priority
list for State of Connecticut funding under the Local Capital
Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2016. Design has begun.
A portion of the original $5,000,000
was also used for the drainage improvements, center line striping and
$281,115.00 for Edison Road.
An uncommitted balance of approximately
$2,500,000 will be available for planned paving and road improvement
projects in the spring of 2015. Town roads classified as “minor
arterial”, which are pot holed and heavily traveled, generally
receive first consideration.