June 16, 2009
State Traffic Commission Approves Permit for Storrs Road Improvements
Major pre-construction approval for Storrs Center is now in place.
Storrs, CT…The Connecticut State Traffic Commission today approved plans submitted for improvements to Storrs Road, signaling that the Storrs Center project has successfully proceeded through another major entitlement hurdle. This is a significant milestone for the project, as the Storrs Road improvements include providing critical infrastructure for Storrs Center.
Storrs Road improvements will include the realignment and partitioning of the pavement area to accommodate the addition of dedicated and clearly defined turning lanes. Modifications to the intersection at Storrs Road and South Eagleville Road and the intersection of Storrs Road and Bolton Road will improve traffic flow. The South Eagleville intersection will be modified to include dedicated turning lanes. Dog Lane will be re-aligned and the two lights at Dog Lane and Bolton Road will be replaced with one four way, lighted intersection at Bolton Road that will function as one of the main entryways to the Storrs Center Town Square.
In order to better accommodate pedestrian traffic, the plans provide for pedestrian collection points and crosswalk zones, installation or widening of sidewalks, addition of parallel parking zones, installation of medians, landscaping of street edges, definition of building entry areas and partial burial of overhead power lines. The addition of parallel parking zones, besides providing more parking capacity, will contribute to traffic “calming” and provide pedestrians with a better sense of security. Last month, the Town of Mansfield selected BL Companies to undertake engineering and design of Storrs Road.
Speaking for Master Developer LeylandAlliance, Macon Toledano states,
“The approval of the Storrs Road plan by the STC is a welcome and timely step for Storrs Center. The commission’s careful review of the application is appreciated. We are achieving our original goal of creating a “Main Street” environment that will allow us to integrate Storrs Road into the fabric of the civic core of Mansfield in such a way that it meets DOT needs and functions as a main street.”
Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership adds, “The improvements to Storrs Road will play a key role in the civic life of Mansfield and in the success of Storrs Center. We appreciate the careful scrutiny of the STC and are now eager to continue to advance the project towards commencement of construction.”