Update on West Hartford Road Construction

It seems like everywhere you turn in West Hartford, a road is under construction.

"It's a very busy time for West Hartford with a lot of projects," said Director of Public Works John Phillips. Some of them are town projects, but there are also a large number of MDC projects underway, plus the state construction project on New Britain Ave.

The Department of Public Works is trying to finish up its work and get the roadways in shape before the plowing season. Phillips said that most of the his department's road resurfacing projects have been completed, but crews are still on the job fixing curbing and aprons, and taking care of maintenance tasks such as catch basin failures.

"This time of year we're working on punch list items that we couldn't get to in the summer. We'll punch list until the snow flies," Phillips said.

Hot asphalt is only available through the middle of November, he said, so they aim to be done early in the month.

Residents will find Department of Public Works crews working on a drainage job on Whetten Road near Steele Road, and Phillips said that's actually separate from an ongoing Steele Road project being done by a contractor. They're also finishing up a job on Troy Street.

As for New Britain Ave., that's totally out of his jurisdiction, Phillips said. "I think everyone knows New Britain Ave. is a state project, and there are certainly some issues there."

Many of the other projects creating detours around town are the responsibility of the MDC. Here is a list provided by the Town of West Hartford of those projects currently underway or about to begin:

Mountain Farms Sewer Project begins October 29 

The MDC has awarded a $1.5 million contract to Baltazar Contractors for the installation of sanitary sewers for 31 homes in the lower Mountain Farms area. The streets involved include Flagg Road, Mountain Road, Mountain Farms Road and Old Oak Road. The project is expected to begin on or about Oct. 29, and work will continue through the winter months, weather permitting.

Work will begin on Flagg Road and continue to and on Mountain Road. Two-way traffic is expected to be maintained at all times on these two streets. Alternating traffic is proposed on Mountain Farms and Old Oak during working hours with two-way traffic after hours. Walter McCormick from Baltazar will work with the school transportation office to coordinate bus routing and stops with the construction activities.

The MDC has scheduled a Public Outreach Meeting for the project on Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. in room 217 of West Hartford Town Hall.

Colony Road Water Main Installation begins October 29

The MDC has hired CFL Inc. to install a new water main and water services on Colony Road. The contractor is looking to start near the Albany Avenue intersection the week of Oct. 29, and expects the project to take 7-8 weeks to complete. If the weather doesn't allow the work to be finished before the asphalt plants close before Christmas, the project could extend until the spring. Alternating traffic will be allowed through the area during work hours.

Farmington Avenue Water Main Replacement

The MDC contractor Midstate Site Development, LLC will continue water main installation this week on Farmington Avenue between Arnold Way and Outlook Avenue. One travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Farmington Avenue. Access to Robin Road from Farmington Avenue will be detoured this week.

The entire project (Farmington Avenue from Trout Brook Drive to Whiting Lane) is expected to take approximately one year to complete.  The water main installation began at the Farmington Avenue and Trout Brook Drive intersection and will progress easterly towards the Whiting Lane intersection. 

Farmington Avenue Sewer Separation (Beverly Road, Arnoldale Road and Farmington Avenue)  *Night Work* 

Beginning the week of Oct. 22, new pavement markings (center lines, etc.) will be applied to the recently paved portion of Farmington Avenue between Whiting Lane and Hamilton Avenue. The work is scheduled to take place between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on Farmington Avenue at all times.

Farmington Avenue Sewer Separation (Lexington Road, Fennway and Warrenton Avenue)

This week, the MDC contractor Coastline Construction Corp. will continue installation of street drainage and sewer pipe on Warrenton Avenue and Fennway. During construction hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Warrenton Avenue and Fennway will be closed to through traffic. After the main lines are installed in the roadway, private property service connections and restoration will follow. The entire project is expected to be complete by Summer 2013.  

Four Mile Road Area - Sanitary Sewer Improvements

This week, the MDC contractor Baltazar Contractors Inc. will continue to work on the sanitary sewer on Boulevard. Work will commence at the Raymond Road intersection and progress towards South Main Street. Boulevard (eastbound only) between South Main Street and Raymond Road will be closed to through traffic during construction hours (typically 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday). Traffic flow will be restored at the end of each work day.

Auburn Road and Pine Road Water Main Replacement

Trademark Contractors, an MDC contractor, will continue installing water main on Pine Road this week between North Quaker Lane and Auburn Road. Access to local properties will be maintained. School bus stops will also be accommodated. Construction work hours are typically 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The entire project including the work on Pine Street is expected to take approximately two months to complete.