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It was more than fitting that Gov.-elect Dan Malloy participated in Thursday's ribbon cutting marking the completion of Phase 1 of the Stamford Urban Transitway. He initiated the project in 1996 and ushered it through during his tenure as Stamford's mayor.
"This is a monument to the hard work of a great team that has been assembled in the city of Stamford," said Malloy. Mayor Michael Pavia called it an "essential link" in Stamford's development.
The four-lane project spans a little more than 2 miles. The first phase, costing $58 million, stretches from Atlantic Street to Elm Street along Dock and Jefferson. The second phase will continue along Myrtle Avenue to East Main Street and Lockwood Avenue. The transitway was intended to ease traffic congestion along the busy thoroughfare.
There were noted stalls along the road to Phase 1 completion. Some residents and businesses complained of traffic delays and construction disruptions. Other concerns included North Haven contractor Earth Technology Inc.'s indictment on federal charges involving alleged overbilling on another project and the Stamford Board of Finance's delay in releasing $4.83 million in funding.
Despite those setbacks, Phase 2 of the project was awarded $16 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation. "This project is the kind of model project that we look for all over the United States," said Mary Beth Mello, Federal Transit Administration regional administrator.
"I hope [Phase 2] moves forward rapidly at this point, for a number of reasons," said Malloy. Chief among them, "It will affect additional transportation dollars from Washington," he said.
The city is working on "a comprehensive overview of the plans," including preconstruction evaluation, design components and traffic control, said Pavia. He added, "What we need to do [also] is assure minimal disruptions to the businesses. That is the challenge."
What do you think about the Stamford Urban Transitway? Was the first phase worth the wait? Is there anything you'd like to see implemented in the second phase? Questions? Comments? Felicia can be reached at fhunter@mainstreetconnect.us.Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
