| Essex
Exit 3 Park and Ride Lot Meeting
Date: June 8, 2004
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: Essex Town Hall, Town of Essex
Attendance:
Connecticut Department Of Transportation (ConnDOT)
Carmine Trotta, James Andrini, David Balzer, Richard Gray
Town of Deep River
Dick Smith
Town of Essex
Philip Miller, Lee Thompson
Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency (CRERPA)
Jean Davies
Legislators
Eileen Daily - 33rd Senate District
James F Spallone - 36th Assembly District
Purpose of Meeting:
The objective of this meeting was to discuss the state of the existing
and anticipated future operations at the Route 9, Interchange 3
Park and Ride lot in Essex, and discuss conceptual plans for an
alternate site at Interchange 4.
Introductory Overview:
Town of Essex and Deep River officials, and a CRERPA official were
shown ConnDOT conceptual plans for the construction of new Park
and Ride (commuter lots) at Interchanges 3 and 4 along Route 9.
The plans were for 50 and 100 space commuter lots at both Exits
3 and Exit 4. .
Mr. Carmine Trotta gave a brief overview of the history of operations
at the existing commuter lot at Interchange 3 and also the developments
leading up to ConnDOT's preparation of conceptual plans for new
additional commuter parking at Interchanges 3 and 4. An overview
of funding currently available through Transportation Strategy Board
(TSB) appropriations for commuter lot construction / expansion was
also given.
Four options were presented for discussion:
(1) Do Nothing, leaving the existing commuter parking lot at Interchange
3;
(2) Replace the existing commuter parking lot at Interchange 3 with
a new larger facility at a new location at Interchange 3 (as previously
suggested);
(3) Retain the existing commuter parking lot at Interchange 3 and
construct an additional new larger facility at Interchange 4; and
(4) Eliminate the existing facility at Interchange 3 and construct
a new larger replacement facility at Interchange 4.
Some key items presented as part of this overview were:
Financial
A bond authorization of $300,000 was originally appropriated to
facilitate statewide commuter parking lot expansion activities.
Some ConnDOT projects have already drawn from this source. It is
estimated that approximately $220,000 is left or currently available
to fund a commuter lot project in Essex.
Procedural
Current usage of the existing commuter parking lot at Interchange
3 consistently exceeds the 39-vehicle capacity. This existing lot
is also not geometrically compatible with the ingress and egress
of buses.
Past ConnDOT recommendations to construct a new larger commuter
parking lot in the vicinity of the existing lot were not previously
advanced because of public opposition. Both towns support construction
of a new commuter lot at Interchange 4 to replace the existing lot
at Interchange 3, and have asked ConnDOT for this meeting.
Transactions / Determinations:
The officials were briefed on the estimated construction costs of
the planning concepts. The costs presented (in 2003 / 2004 dollars)
are:
Interchange 3
50 spaces - $240,000
100 spaces - $300,000
Interchange 4
50 spaces - $255,000
100 spaces - $325,000
It was the consensus of the Towns and the CRERPA, that a new 100-space
commuter lot at Interchange 4 to replace the existing facility at
Interchange 3 is the preferred and recommended course of action.
Based on available funds, an additional $100,000 would be required
to carry out the recommended action.
It was determined that the Town of Essex and CRERPA would sponsor
a public information meeting to obtain public input regarding the
options and the Town’s preferred action. ConnDOT would provide
Essex First Selectman, Mr. Richard Miller with working dates to
conduct a public informational meeting. The meeting will be set
up and conducted by the Towns and the CRERPA. ConnDOT will provide
the conceptual plans, staff, and conduct the public briefing / overview.
A late September scheduling is recommended.
Subsequent to the public meeting, the next step would be for ConnDOT
to request from the TSB, the additional funds needed to completely
fund the recommended action.
Submitted by/Date: ____________
Approved by/Date: _____________
James Andrini/JA
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