Southwick Police Officer Thomas Krutka directs traffic at the intersection of Feeding Hills Road and Rebecca Lobo Way Thursday where a proposed traffic control signal would be located as part of a Transportation Bond Bill. The intersection is heavily affected by student and school bus traffic when exiting Rebecca Lobo Way where the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School is located. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen, on the recommendation of Department of Public Works Director Jeffrey Neece, approved a list of priority projects this week.
The projects will be forwarded to State Sen. Michael R. Knapik for consideration as part of a Transportation Bond Bill.
The top priority was Feeding Hills Road between Powder Mill and just beyond the high school, which includes traffic signals at Rebecca Lobo Way, which is the high school entrance.
“We’ve been interested in getting traffic control signals on that stretch of road for some time,” said Neece.
The DPW has been working on the project, which required a waiver because of the width of the road. Feeding Hills Road is narrower than what the state normally allows for a project of its kind, but waivers can be granted.
“We’re past the 50-percent design phase,” Neece said of that project.
Coming in second on the list is the full depth revamping of Sunnyside Road, followed closely by a new salt shed at the DPW garage on College Highway.
“I believe that was included in the last bond bill,” said Neece.
Board Chairman Arthur Pinell asked Neece about discrepancies in size of the shed. Neece said Engineer Richard Grannells had hoped for a larger shed, but that size was determined when budgeting cost with the manufacturer.
“It will have a place inside to hold salt,” said Neece. “Sand could be inside or outside. There would be a mixing area and a mixed storage area.”
The fourth project on the list is widening of Depot Street and adding sidewalks. Number five was work on Munn Brook Bridge, and rounding out the list at number six was roadwork on College Highway from Tannery Road north to Westfield.
Zachary Donah of Knapik’s office said the senator requested priority lists from each community in the district in order to be prepared when the bill hits the floor.
“The House will take up the bill later in 2013,” said Donah.
Last year, he said, each district was given the opportunity to advocate for three projects. Knapik wants to have an idea of what projects are needed and how much they will cost. Donah added that they thought it would be taken up sooner than later.
“The governor filed his transportation bill in February,” he said. “We thought we would be taking it up now, but transportation funding has put this on schedule for later in 2013.”
