NAUGATUCK — The Cross Street reconstruction project is forging ahead, with the expectation the work will be substantially complete by the time winter rolls around.
The project is a full-depth reconstruction of the 4,150 feet of Cross Street from Route 8 to New Haven Road. The work also includes widening the street to a uniform 30 feet, as well as installing new drainage, curbing, retaining walls, sidewalks and guiderails.
The project started in April with construction on the street between New Haven Road and Cotton Hollow Road. After school let out for the summer in June, traffic was only allowed to travel from New Haven Road to Route 8. The road reopened to two-way traffic before the new school year started Aug. 28, as crews continued to work along that stretch of the road.
Public Works Director James Stewart estimated the project is about 65% complete.
The next phase is to realign the intersection of Cross Street and Cotton Hollow Road to a T-intersection, and reconstruct the street from the intersection to the Route 8 off-ramps and on-ramps.
The next phase also means a new traffic detour. Cotton Hollow Road is scheduled to be closed to through traffic on Tuesday. It’s expected to stay closed, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while work is done, until early October.
Drivers can access Cotton Hollow Road and Beacon Valley Road from New Haven Road. Emergency vehicles will still be able to pass through, Stewart said.
Stewart expects the work, including laying new asphalt, will be substantially complete before the winter. All that would remain is punch-list items to complete next year, he said.
“There wouldn’t be any more significant impact on traffic after that point,” Stewart said.
Mather’s Construction out of Bloomfield got the $3.35 million contract for the project. The federal government is paying for 80% of the cost of the project and the state is covering 10%. The borough is paying for the remaining 10%.
