alignment study & preliminary engineering report · the new milford river trail alignment study...

NEW MILFORD RIVER TRAILALIGNMENT STUDY &PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT JUNE 25, 2018

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The New Milford River Trail alignment study is the result of planning and outreach with the Town of New Milford. We would like to extend special thanks for the efforts and participation of the following groups:

• Office of the Mayor - Mayor Peter Bass

• New Milford Bike & Trails Committee Thomas O’Brien - Chairman Former Mayor David Gronbach Lisa Arasim MaryJane Lundgren Seamus McKeon Pam Picheco

• New Milford Planning Department - Town Planner Kathy Castagnetta

• New Milford Public Works Department - Town Engineer Dan Stanton

Prepared by:

In Association with:

1.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND..............................................................................................................................................................................2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS................................................................................................................................................................................ 2.1 Wetlands and Flood Plains................................................................................................................................................................... 2.2 Archaeological Survey..........................................................................................................................................................................

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT BY PHASE.......................................................................................................................................................... Phase1-BoardmanRoadtoMEDInstillEntranceDrive............................................................................................................................. Phase 2 - The “Pinch Point”......................................................................................................................................................................... Phase 3 - Pinch Point to Young’s Field......................................................................................................................................................... Phase4-TransitionfromYoung’sFieldRoadtoBridgeStreet.................................................................................................................... Phase5-WestStreetfromBridgeStreettoHiddenTreasurePark............................................................................................................ Phase6-HiddenTreasurePark................................................................................................................................................................... Phase 7 - Housatonic River Crossing........................................................................................................................................................... Phase8-PettiboneCommunityCentertoPickettDistrictFields................................................................................................................ Phase9-PickettDistrictFieldstoStillRiverDrive...................................................................................................................................... Phase9A-SidewalkonStillRiverDrive...................................................................................................................................................... Phase10-StillRiverDriveThroughHarrybrookePark............................................................................................................................... Phase11-CandlewoodValleyCountryClubtoBrookfieldTownLine........................................................................................................... Phase11A-NatureTrailfromEricksonRoadtoBrookfieldTownLine.......................................................................................................

4.0 PRELIMINARYOPINIONOFPROBABLECONSTRUCTION.............................................................................................................................

5.0 NEXT STEPS.................................................................................................................................................................................................

APPENDIXA-PHASE1AARCHAEOLOGICALSURVEYAPPENDIXB-NDDBPRELIMINARYSITEASSESSMENTLETTER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Withaccuratebaselinedata,alternativeroutesforthetrailwereconsidered,andafinalroutehasbeenselectedgivingconsiderationtophasing,regulatoryapprovals,propertyacquisition,andconstructioncosts.Formalandinformalpublicmeetingswereheldtoinformthepublicabouttheplan,solicitpubliccomments,andmodifytherouteinresponsetoconcernsexpressedbythepublic.

Fordecades,thepeopleofNewMilfordhaveenvisionedthecreationofamulti-usetrailthatwouldfollowtheHousatonicandStillRiversfromKenttoBrookfield.Thevisionforthetrailissupportedinthetown’sPlanofConservationandDevelopmentandhasbeenidentifiedasacriticalcomponentoftheWesternNewEnglandGreenwaylinkingtheEastCoastGreenwayatLongIslandSoundthroughtheHousatonicValleyinConnecticut,Massachusetts,andtheChamplainValleyinVermonttoMontreal.

ThenortherlysegmentofthetrailinNewMilfordisopentothepublicbetweenBoardmanBridgeandGaylordsvillefollowingaroutethroughSegaMeadows.AsecondshortsectionoftrailhasbeencompletedrecentlyalongthebanksoftheHousatonicRivernorthofVeteransBridgeandisreferredtoastheRiverwalkatYoung’sField.Atpresent,acyclistisabletotravelalongsignedbicycleroutesfromoneendofthetowntotheothertodestinationsbeyondtheboundariesofNewMilford.

ThecorridorfromBoardmanBridgetothevicinityofVeteransBridgeinthecenterofNewMilfordwasexaminedinThe New Milford River Trail Feasibility Study Report; Phase II,completedbyHarePlanningin2014.Thisreportidentifiedthegeneralcharacteristicsoftherouteandillustratedalternativetreatmentsforconstructingthetrail.Similargeneralizedstudies,includingtheStill River Greenway Report(2007)bytheHousatonicValleyCouncilofElectedOfficials(HVCEO),havebeenpublishedforlocatingatrailinthecorridorsoutherlyofVeteransBridge.

TheTownofNewMilfordhastakentheinitiativetorefinepreviousstudiesandtoestablishthepreciserouteofthetrailbycommissioningthispreliminaryengineeringreportasthefirststepinthedesignprocess.Thiseffortincludedthefollowing:

• Obtainingaccuratetopographicsurvey• Identifyingandevaluatingwetlands• Locatingthefloodplainandfloodwayboundaries• Identifyingthepresenceofarchaeologicalartifacts• Identifyingutilityandpropertyimpacts

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1.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND

StudyArea-RegionalContext

2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS

TheTownofNewMilford,locatedinthesouthwesterlycornerofLitchfieldCounty,isthelargesttowngeographicallyinthestatehavingalandareaofapproximately64squaremilesandsupportingapopulationofapproximately28,000people.ThetownisbisectedbytheHousatonicRiverthatstartsinnorthernMassachusettsflowingtoLongIslandSound.U.S.Route7,locatedonthewestsideoftheHousatonicRiverinNewMilford,istheprincipalarteryconnectingthetowntoDanburyinthesouthandtothesmallcommunitiesinnorthernLitchfieldCountyandMassachusetts.TheHousatonicRailroadfollowstheHousatonicRiverandprovidesdailyfreightservicetoNewMilfordandplacestothenorthandsouth.ThereisnopassengerrailservicetoNewMilfordatpresentalthoughthetownandothersareplanningforthateventuality.

NewMilfordisprimarilyaresidentialcommunitywithnonresidentialusesconcentratedalongtheU.S.Route7andtheU.S.Route202corridors.ThenonresidentialusesareprimarilyretailwithsomeindustrialuseslocatedinproximitytotheHousatonicRiver.Atonetime,therewereanumberoffactoriesthatreliedontheHousatonicRiverasaprincipalsourceofpower,butnonereliesonwatertoday.However,therearetwohydropowerfacilitiesalongtheriver:oneatBullBridgeimmediatelytothenorthofNewMilfordandtheotheratRockyRiverwherethereisapumpedstoragepowergenerationfacility.

TheprojectcorridorforthisreportstartsatBoardmanBridgeapproximately2.5milesnorthofthecenterofNewMilfordandextendstotheBrookfieldtownlineapproximately6.1milessouthofthetowncenter.ThecontemplatedrouteforthefirsthalfofthetrailislocatedontheeastsideoftheHousatonicRivertoHiddenTreasureParkattheBleacheryDam.Thereafter,thetrailwillbelocatedonthewestsideoftheriver,pasttheconfluencewiththeStillRiver,connectingtotheproposedStillRiverGreenwayinBrookfield.

2Study Area - Enlargement

2.1 WetlandsandFloodplains

WetlandsandwatercoursesalongthelengthoftheproposedtrailwereidentifiedinMay2017inordertoassistinlocatingtheproposedtrail.InlandwetlandsandwatercoursesweremappedinaccordancewiththeregulationsoftheTownofNewMilford,ConnecticutandtheStateofConnecticutInlandWetlandsandWatercoursesAct,CGS22a-36through45.RegulatedwetlandareasconsistofanyofthesoiltypesdesignatedbytheNationalCooperativeSoilsSurveyaspoorlydrained,verypoorlydrained,alluvial,orfloodplain.Regulatedwatercoursesconsistofrivers;watercourses;brooks;waterways;lakes;ponds;marshes;swamps;bogs;andallotherbodiesofwater,naturalorartificial,vernalorintermittent,publicorprivate,notregulatedpursuanttosections22a-28through22a-35,inclusive(tidalwetlands).

ThemajorityofmappedwetlandsareriverinewetlandssupportedbytheHousatonicRiverandStillRiver.TheconfluenceoftheStillRiverandtheHousatonicRiverislocatedinthestudyareajustnorthofLoversLeapStatePark.Smallerperennialwatercoursesandassociatedwetlands,suchasGreatBrookandthewestbranchoftheAspetuckRiver,alsodischargetotheHousatonicRiverwithinthestudyarea.Thewetlandecosystemsalongthepotentialtrailsystemarevariedandcomprisedprimarilyofforestedandemergentmarshareas.Inanumberofareasalongthecourseoftheproposedtrail,suchaswithinthesouthernportionofHarrybrookeParkandwithinHelenMarxPark,stateregulatedwetlandareaslieupgradientofthefederalwetlandboundaryduetothepresenceofalluvialsoils.Inthesouthernsectionofthetrail,therailcorridorhasmodifiedtheconnectionbetweenwetlandsystems,creatingdepressionalareasthatmaysupportwetland-dependentobligateamphibians.Ingeneral,themappedwetlandareasdisplayahighcapacitytoperformbasicwetlandfunctionsduetothesize,dominanceofnativevegetation,andlandscapepositionoftheecosystems.

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Trail Wetlands in Study Area

2.2 Archaeological Survey

APhaseIAArchaeologicalSurveywasconductedfortheentireprojectareatoidentifyarchaeologicalandhistoricalarearesourceswithinthecorridor.AcopyofthereportpreparedbyHistoricalPerspectives,Inc.appearsinAppendixAandissummarizedherein.

Thenorthernsectionoftheproposedtrailwillbeanapproximately2.5-mileinstallationofacombinationofamultiusetrail,sharrowandsidewalksystemthatroughlyparallelstheHousatonicRiverfromBoardmanBridgesouthtoHelenMarxParkontheeastsideoftheHousatonicRiver.Therearemultiplealternativeroutesthathavebeenconsideredwithinthis2.5-mileAreaofPotentialEffect(APE).AllalternativerouteswouldbeginatthenorthbetweentherailroadtracksandtheHousatonicRiver,immediatelysouthBoardmanRoad,continuesouthalongtheriverthroughtheextantMEDInstillComplex,andthencontinuealongtherivertoHelenMarxPark.ItwouldthenveereasttoaccessHousatonicAvenueandYoung’sFieldRoad,whereitwouldultimatelyconnecttothenorthendoftheRiverwalkatYoung’sField(referredhereinastheRiverwalk)nearthevillageofNewMilford’scentralbusinessdistrict.

Thesouthernsectionisanapproximately6.1-mileinstallationofamultiusetrail.TheroutegenerallyparallelstheHousatonicRiverfromthesouthernendofRiverwalkPark,justnorthofVeteransBridgewhereBridgeStreet/Route202crossestheHousatonicRiver,southtotheNewMilford/Brookfieldtownline.ItwouldbeginontheeastsideoftheHousatonicRiveratthesouthernterminusoftheRiverwalkPark,crossBridgeStreet,andheadsouthalongWestStreet.AtthesouthendofWestStreet,itwouldcrosstheriverandveerwestandawayfromtheHousatonicRivergenerallyparallelingPickettDistrictRoadasittravelssouthtocrosstheStillRiver.AlternativeroutesectionshavebeenidentifiedtothenorthandsouthofLoversLeapStateParkinthesouthhalfoftheproposedtrailalignment.ThetrailalignmentgenerallyfollowsorparallelstheexistingrailcorridorforamajorportionoftheAPE.

The standard Phase IA Archaeological Survey was conducted as outlined in the Environmental ReviewPrimer.Thislevelofstudyentailsdocumentaryandcartographicresearchandpro-videsanassessmentofarchaeologicalpotentialbutprecludesactualfieldworkthatwouldconfirmthepresenceorabsenceofresources.Toaddresstheconcernsofthereviewagen-cies,thisstudyassessestheAPE,definedasanylocationwithinthelimitedlinearprojectcorridorsthatwouldexperiencenewsubsurfacedisturbance.Suchsurveys,asoutlinedinthePrimer,addressthepotentialforsignificantarchaeologicalfeaturesandresourcesfromboththeprecontact(akaprehistoric)eraandthehistoricera.

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HistoricalMapsofStudyArea

Ofnote,afterthisPhaseIAreportwasnearcompletion,apreferredrouteforthetrailwasselectedandpresentedtotheTownofNewMilford(September2017,AppendixC).Thispreferredroutewasassessedforarchaeologicalsensitivitywithinthealternativesreviewedforthis study.

TheresultsofthisPhaseIAstudyindicatethattheprojectsiteisconsideredtobehighlysensitiveforthepresenceofprecontactandhistoricarchaeologicalresourcesinmultiplelocations.ThestudyalsofoundthattherearenumerouspreviouslyinventoriedStateandNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(S/NR)propertiesandsitesthatareinoradjacenttotheNorthernSectionandSouthernSectionAPEs.Theselocationsmaybedisturbedbysubsurfaceactivityortheintroductionofnewlandscapeelements.

Wherepriorroadgrading,construction,reconstruction,orsitedevelopmenthasinvolvedshallowgrounddisturbance,theselocationsarelesslikelytoretainprecontactarchaeologicalpotential.Locationsthathavebeenextensivelyquarriedorpreviouslyexcavatedtogreaterdepths,suchasthelocationsofdeeputilitypipes,havenoprecontactarchaeologicalpotential.

Thenumberofknownprecontactsites(20+),especiallyintheSouthernSectionAPE,suggeststhestrongprobabilitythatadditionalsitesexistinlocationsnotpreviouslysubjectedtoarchaeologicaltesting.Further,bothprecontactandhistoricarchaeologicalresourcescanbefoundatshallowdepthswhereyearsofplowinghavebroughtartifactstothesurfaceorwherethereisundisturbedyardscatteraroundmappedhistoricstructures.Therefore,inanylocationidentifiedaspotentiallysensitiveforprecontactorhistoricarchaeologicalresources,excludingpreviouslytestedanddisturbedlocations,subsurfacetestingisrecommendedpriortotheinitiationofanygrounddisturbance.Grounddisturbanceincludes,butisnotlimitedto,excavationsforregradingorplanting,installingpylons,installingutilities,andconstructionlaydownandstagingareaswhereheavymachinerycanpotentiallycompresssensitivestrata.

TherearealsomultiplesitesandstructuresthathavebeenidentifiedthatcouldprovideusersofthetrailwiththeopportunitytolearnmoreaboutNewMilford’shistoricpastwhereresourcesareknowntohavestoodinorneartheAPE.Notethatparticularlysensitiveburiedarchaeologicalsitesthatarenotreadilyevidentonthelandscapearenotrecommendedforsignagesincethispromotessitedestruction.Fromnorthtosouth,sitesandstructuresthatmaylendwelltoengagingusersofthetrailincludethefollowing(seeFigures17aand17bforapproximatelocationsofsiteskeyedtoletterdesignationsonthenextpage):

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Historical Structures in Trail Corridor

Northern Section:A.Boardman’sBridge(NR)–Thiswrought-iron,lenticulartrussbridgewasconstructedin1888bytheBerlinIronBridgeCompany.Asofthewritingofthisreport,itisslatedforrestoration.B.TheMaggiFactory,laterNestlesite–AlthoughthisisnowtheMEDInstillcomplex,theindustrialpastofthistractisimportanttotheeconomichistoryofNewMilford.C.WannuppeeIsland–EarlyNewMilfordresidentsfordedtheriverherepriortotheconstructionofabridge.Itwasacriticallocationthatfacilitateddevelopmentofthevillage.D.TheNewMilfordHatFactory–TheindustrialcomplexwaslocatedontheeastsideofHousatonicAvenueintheearlytwentiethcentury,withworkerhousinglocatedonthewestsideoftheroad.AlthoughnotintheAPE,thereistheopportunitytoacknowledgethishistoricindustrialcomplexthatformerlystoodalongtheAspetuckRiver.

Southern Section:E.TheHousatonicRailroadComplex(NR)–Oncethesiteofnumerousrail-relatedstructures,thehistoryoftherailroadtotheNewMilfordeconomyisofparamountimportance.F.BridgeStreetandWestStreetWarehouses(NR)–Whilemanyofthesehaverecentlybeenconvertedtoresidentialuse,thehistoryofthedevelopmentoftheindustriesandthewarehousesthatservedthemcontributestothestoryofNewMilford.G.Ruggles/StilsonMills–Thelikelylocationofthree,possiblyfour,mill-relatedstructuresinornearHiddenTreasuresParkwasoneoftheearliest(ca.1783)locationsofamilldirectlyaccessibletotheVillageofNewMilford.H.TheBleachery–Thisearlytwentieth-centurycomplexemployedhundredsofNewMilfordresidentsandoperatedthroughthelate1950s.Includedinthiscomplexaretwoextantstructures–apowerhouseandtank-andtheremnantsofadamandwatergateonthebanksoftheHousatonicRiverinHiddenTreasuresPark.I.TheTobaccoIndustry–Theextensivetobaccofieldsandtheindustryoftobaccomakingwasanimportantpartofthelocaleconomy.ThelocationsofmanyofthehistorictobaccobarnsthatoncestoodonthewestsideoftheHousatonicRiverarenowredeveloped;whatwasonceubiquitousisnowararity.J.TheBridgeportWoodFinishingCompanycomplex(SR)–ImmediatelysouthofStillRiverontheHousatonicRiver,thiscomplexcontainsstructuralremainsoftheonce-thrivingcomplex(signagealreadyexistsinLoversLeapStatePark).K.LoversLeapBridgeovertheHousatonicRiver(NR)–Builtin1895bytheBerlinIronBridgeCompany,itisoneofthelastbridgesbuiltandisaparticularlyornateexampleofitswork(signagealreadyexistsinLoversLeapStatePark).L.Lanesville–ThelocationoftheformerReynolds&BoothHatFactory,theKnowlesgristmill,thepostoffice,andschoolarenolongerevidentinthevastlyreconfiguredarrangementof roads in this area. M.TheStillRiverfloodplains–OncehometotheWeantinock,thesefertilefieldsprovidedprimehorticulturallandforNativeAmericansandtheirseasonalvillages.

6AreasofPotentialEffects(APEs)

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTBY PHASE

Forpurposesofthisreport,theprojectareahasbeendividedinto11discreetphases.Theexistingconditions,opportunitiesandchallenges,alternativeroutesforthetrail,andproposedimprovementsaredescribedbelow.Itshouldbenotedthatthephasesarepresentedfromnorthtosouthandarenotmeanttobethesequenceofconstruction.Theactualsequenceofconstructionwilldependontheavailabilityoffundingandtherelationshipofthetrailtootherpublicworksinitiatives.

Phase1-BoardmanRoadtoMEDInstillEntranceDrivePhase 2 - The “Pinch Point”Phase 3 - Pinch Point to Young’s FieldPhase4-TransitionfromYoung’sFieldRoadtoBridgeStreetPhase5-WestStreetfromBridgeStreettoHiddenTreasureParkPhase6-HiddenTreasureParkPhase 7 - Housatonic River CrossingPhase8-PettiboneCommunityCentertoPickettDistrictFieldsPhase9-PickettDistrictFieldstoStillRiverDrivePhase9A-SidewalkonStillRiverDrivePhase10-StillRiverDriveThroughHarrybrookeParkPhase11-CandlewoodValleyCountryClubtoBrookfieldTownLinePhase11A-NatureTrailfromEricksonRoadtoBrookfieldTownLine

7TrailPhaseMap

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Phase Multiuse Side Path Sharrow Sidewalk Trail Unpaved

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11 ⚫ ⚫

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4,5803

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2,850

⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ 1,460 cross Bridge (Route 202)

West Street sidewalks

Length

soft trail

land is to be divided to New Milford

Type Surface Special Features

railroad crossing, retaining walls, boardwalk

retaining walls, significant regulatory issuing

5,260

1,845

2,350

possible addition to 442 if trail on private

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Trail Phase Summary for New Milford

soft trail

bridge over Still River, railroad crossing

railroad crossing, repair to bridge

connect Pettibone School to Town Fields

connect to Lovers Leap

bridge over Housatonic River

10 spare parking lots

connect to downtown, ADA ramp system,

10,700

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soft trail

11,600

1,120

1,280

6,305

4,235

450

7,630⚫

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Phase 1 – Boardman Road to MEDInstill Entrance DrivePlan Sheets 1-4, Distance: 5,260'

Existing Conditions:

Phase1beginswherethecompletedtrailinSegaMeadowsendsonthenorthsideofBoardmanRoadatthebridgeovertheHousatonicRiverandextendsjustpasttheentrancetotheMEDInstillpropertylocatedonBoardmanRoad,adistanceofapproximately1mile.ImmediatelytothenorthoftheexistingbridgeisthehistoricBoardmanBridge,awroughtirontrussstructurebuiltin1888andlistedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.ThereisasmallparkingareaforapproximatelyfourtofivevehiclesonthenorthsideofBoardmanRoad. There is a railroad crossing gate on Boardman Road.

TheareaisboundedontheeastbytheHousatonicRailroadandtheHousatonicRivertothewest.Thefirst1,800’ofthecorridorisheavilywoodedslopingdownfromtherailroadtrackstoagentlyslopingterracealongtheriver.Thefloodwayinthisareaisattheedgeoftheriver,andthefloodplainextendsapproximately50’inlandfromtheembankment.Nowetlandswereidentifiedinthisarea.Sincetheareaisundeveloped,thereisanopportunitytoconstructviewingareasoverlookingtheHousatonicRiverthatcouldincludeinterpretivesigns.

ThefirstdesignchallengeinthissectionistheintersectiontreatmentatBoardmanRoad.ThesightlinelookingtotheeastissomewhatlimitedduetothehorizontalalignmentofBoardmanRoad.ThesightlinetothewestacrossBoardmanBridgeisadequate.TherailroadcrossingofBoardmanRoadhasautomaticarmstoprotectvehiculartraffic.However,thereisnopedestrianprotectioninthislocation.Inordertoallowasafepedestriancrossing,thecrossinggateswillneedtobemodifiedtoincludepedestriancontrol.

TheseconddesignchallengeinthisareaiscreatingatransitionfromBoardmanRoadtotheterracealongtheriverwherethereisanelevationdifferenceofapproximately30’.Contributingtothechallengeisthenarrowlevelareaalongtherailroadtracksattheintersection.Inpreliminarydiscussions,themanagementoftheHousatonicRailroaddoesnotwantanyencroachmentontheirright-of-wayinthislocationbutwillentertainaproposalforreconfiguringthepedestriancrossingofthetracksonthesouthsideofBoardmanRoad.InordertomeetADAaccessibilitystandards,eitheraretainingwalloraboardwalkrampwillberequiredtoprovidethetransition.

Phase1-ProposedRoute

ExistingConditionsinVicinityofBoardmanBridge

ThebalanceoftherouteinPhase1islocatedtothenorthandwestoftheMEDInstillmanufacturingfacilityabovethebankoftheHousatonicRiver.Thetopographyinthisareaisfairlygentleandconducivetotheconstructionofatrail.Thechallengeinthissegmentwillbelocatingthetrailsoastonotinterferewiththemanufacturingoperations.Morespecifically,twoelevatedstructureswillberequiredinordertoconstructthetrailabovethefloodplaininthevicinityofMEDInstill’sactivemanufacturingfacility.Theelevatedstructureswillprovidetrailaccessthatwillallowtheuseofanactivedrivewaytobemaintainedaroundthebuilding.

Proposed Improvements:

TheproposedtrailwillcrossBoardmanRoadontheeasterlysideoftherailroadtrackstoalandingareaonthesoutheastcorner.Excavationoftheembankmentwillberequiredtocreatesufficientspaceforpedestrianstosafelygatherwhenthereisatraincrossinginthislocation.ThecrossinggateswillbemodifiedtoprotectpedestriansonthetrailandtocontinuetoprotectmotoristsonBoardmanRoad.Rubberizedmatswillbeinstalledtoallowpedestriancrossingofthetracks.Fencesadjacenttotheactiveraillinewillneedtobeaminimumof8’inheight.TheworkwillneedtobecoordinatedwithHousatonicRailroad.

ToprovidethetransitionfromtheroadtotheterracealongtheHousatonicRiver,arampwillbebenchedintothesideslopesupportedbyprecastconcretebinwallsfor300’ontheuphillsideand240’onthedownhillside.Therampandwallsystemwillbeoutsideinthe100-yearfloodplain.TherampwillbedesignedtomeetADArequirements.

TypicalTreatmentatRailroadCrossing ExistingcrossingatBoardmanRoad ConcepttreatmentatBoardmanRoad

RampfromBoardmanRoadDowntoTerraceAdjacenttoRiver

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Fromthebaseoftheramp,thepavedtrail,havingawidthof10’,willbeconstructedongradetotheentranceoftheMEDInstillpropertyatHousatonicAvenue.Twoboardwalkstructures,oneapproximately200’andtheother150’,havingawidthof10’,willberequiredinordertotraversearoundthecornersofthemanufacturingbuildings,thusavoidingtheneedtofillintheadjacentfloodplain.Interpretivesignswillbeincorporatedintooverlookareasstrategicallylocatedalongtheterraceadjacenttotheriver.Aparkingareaforapproximatelyninevehicleswouldbeconstructedattheterminusofthisphaseofthetrail.InconjunctionwiththetrailconstructionincloseproximitytotheMEDInstillfacilities,a6’-highfenceandalandscapestripareproposedtoprovideadequateseparationandsecuritybetweenthetrailandthemanufacturingoperations.

Inordertoconstructthetrailasdescribedabove,propertyrightswillneedtobeacquiredfromMEDInstilleitherintheformofafeesimpleinterestintheundevelopableportionoftheirpropertyorapermanenteasementforthefinishedtrailwithaconstructioneasementforaccessduringconstruction.

Existingfloodplainterrace

ProposedBoardwalksAdjacenttoMEDInstill

Trailconcept

ExistingconditionofMEDInstillproperty

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Phase 2 – The “Pinch Point” Plan Sheets 4-6, Distance: 1,845’


FromtheentrancetoMEDInstillforadistanceofapproximately1,845’tothesouth,thecorridorinwhichatrailcanbeconstructedbecomesextremelynarrow.HousatonicAvenueatthispointis22’inwidthandissandwichedbetweenthesteepembankmentsupportingtheHousatonicRailroadontheeastandthesteepslopedowntotheriveronthewest.Theelevationdifferencebetweentheroadandtheriverinthislocationisapproximately10’.Partoftheslopeisnowsupportedbyagabionwallwiththebalanceofthissectionstabilizedbylargeboulderslocatedintheriver.ThereareelectrictransmissionlinesperpendiculartotheroademanatingfromtheRockyRiverhydropowerstationlocatedonthewestsideoftheHousatonicRiver.MuchofthissectionofthetraillieswithinthefloodwayoftheHousatonicRiverandnearlyallofit,includingHousatonicAvenue,iswithintheboundaryofthe100-yearfloodplainalthoughthereisnorecollectionofthisareaofHousatonicAvenuehavingbeenflooded.

TrailPhaseMap12

Threealternativesforconstructingatrailinthislocationhavebeenconsidered,allofwhichwillrequirepermitstoworkinthefloodplainoftheHousatonicRiver.ThefirstistowidenHousatonicAvenuetoaccommodatethetrailattheelevationoftheroad.Awallextendingdowntotheriverwouldberequiredtosupportthewidenedroad.Theroadcannotbewidenedtotheeastsinceitwouldrequiretherelocationoftherailroadtracks.ThisalternativewillrequirethepossibleclosingofHousatonicAvenueforitsreconstruction.

Thesecondalternativeistoplacethetrailatanelevationbetweentheroadandtheleveloftheriver.Boththeroadandthetrailwouldbesupportedbyasteppedwallsystem.TheapproachesofthetrailwouldneedtobegradedtomeetADAstandards.HousatonicAvenuewillneedtobepartiallyclosedduringconstruction.

Thethirdalternativewouldbetoconstructthetrailonanelevatedstructuresupportedbypilesdrivenintotheslopeandtheriver.Thestructurecouldbeplacedeitherattheelevationoftheroadorpartiallydowntheslopebutabovetheelevationofthe100-yearflood.Thedrawbacktothisalternativeistheabilitytodrivepilesusingequipmentplacedontheexistingroad.


Thepreferredalternativeatthe“PinchPoint”istoconstructthetrailpartiallydowntheexistingslopeusingaprefabricatedconcretebinwallsystemwiththelowersectionofwallattheedgeofthewaterandtheuppersectionofthewallsupportingtheroad.Underthisalternative,HousatonicAvenuewillbepartiallyreconstructed.Localelectricaldistributionguyingpoleswillneedtobereconfigured.Thetrailwillhaveawidthof10’andrampsonbothendsmeetingADArequirementsconnectingtothestreet.Theelevatedsectionwillhaveprotectiverailingonthesidefacingtheriver.Thisalternativewasselectednotonlyforitsaestheticqualitiesbutalsoforitsreducedimpactonthefloodwayassociatedwith the river.

Existingconditionlookingfromtheriver

Existingcondition

ProposedconditionHOUSATO

NIC R

IVER

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TONIC

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ENU

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Phase 3 – Pinch Point to Young’s Field Sheets 6-10, Distance: 4,580’


Thethirdphaseoftheprojectextendsfromthe“PinchPoint”tothevicinityofPatriotsWaywherethetownrecentlycompletedasectionoftheRiverwalkatYoung’sFieldnorthofBridgeStreet.OneroutethatwasconsideredwasasharrowalongHousatonicAvenueforcyclistsandsidewalkimprovementsforpedestrians.Inexaminingthisalternative,propertyownersalongtherouteexpressedsignificantconcernaboutbicycleandpedestriansafetygiventhenarrowwidthofHousatonicAvenuetogetherwiththevolumeandspeedoftraffic.Althoughsidewalkimprovementscouldbelocatedinthestreetright-of-way,theywouldbeincloseproximitytohomesandwouldimpactthelimitedoff-streetparkingandindividualdriveways.

ThesecondalternativethatwasconsideredisthroughWannuppeeIslandcrossingabackwaterarea,continuingintoHelenMarxPark,andthenconnectingtothenewtrailatPatriotsWay.WannuppeeIslandisalargeislandconsistingofbothuplandsandwetlandsinthefloodplainandfloodwayoftheHousatonicRiverwestofHousatonicAvenue.Itisrichinwetlandandculturalheritage.Duringcolonialtimes,theislandwasusedtofordtheriver.Inthearchaeologicalreport,theislandhasbeenidentifiedasbeingahighlysensitiveculturalsite.BackwaterfromtheHousatonicRiverseparatestheislandfromtherearofthepropertiesonHousatonicAvenue.Thebackwatertendstobecomedryinwarmweathermonths.


Fromthebeginningofthisproject,amajorobjectiveoftheTrailCommitteeistobringpeopleclosetotherivertoenjoyitsaestheticvalueandtolearnaboutthehistoricalandarchaeologicalheritageofthearea.Hence,aroutethroughWannuppeeIslandisthepreferredalternative,notwithstandingitsenvironmentalandconstructionchallenges.Startingatthe“PinchPoint,”thetrailwouldtransitiontothegentleslopesoftheislandtothesouthendoftheislandforadistanceofapproximately2,160’.Thetrailwouldhaveapavedwidthof10’withportionsoftherouteelevatedinordertoavoidimpactsonthewetlandandfloodplain.Thepreciseroutewouldbelaidoutinthefieldduringthenextphaseofdesignaspartoftheformalpermittingprocess.

AttheendofWannuppeeIsland,theroutewouldcrossthebackwateroftheHousatonicRiverviaaconcreteboardwalkhavingalengthofapproximately180’.Theboardwalkwouldbeplacedonpiersslightlyabovenormalwaterflowandwillbesubjecttoseasonalflooding.

AftercrossingfromWannuppeeIsland,theroutewouldtraversetherearoffiveprivatepropertiesandenterHelenMarxParkfollowingalongthebanksoftheHousatonicRivertoavoidimpactsontheexistingathleticfieldsinthepark.Thetrailwillbebuiltonexistinggradetoavoidfillingthefloodplain.Landscapeimprovementswillberequiredtorestoretheprivatepropertiesalongtherouteofthetrailandtomaintainprivateriverfrontaccess.

TrailPhaseMap

PHASE 3

14

ConsiderationhasbeengiventolocatingthetrailalongthenortherlyboundaryofHelenMarxParktoHousatonicAvenueandthencontinuingonHousatonicAvenueandYoung’sFieldRoadasasharrowtoPatriot’sWay.ThisalternativewasnotselectedsincetheBikeandTrailCommitteefeltthatprovidingacontinuousrouteincloserproximitytotheriverasitconnectstothecompletedtrailatYoung’sFieldisimportantforthelong-termsuccessofthetrailandinstimulatingeconomicactivityindowntownNewMilford.

AtHelenMarxPark,asecondpedestrianbridgeinthisphaseofthetrailwillbeneededtocrosstheAspetuckRiver.LocateddownstreamoftheexistingbridgeonYoung’sFieldRoad,thebridgewillhavealengthofapproximately80’andwillbesufficientlyelevatedabovethe100-yearfloodelevation.Thereafter,thetrailwillbelocatedtotherearoftwoindustrialpropertieslocatedonYoung’sFieldRoad.Accesseasementsoverthesepropertieswillneedtobeacquiredpriortoconstructionofthisphaseoftheproject.

ExistingConditionalongHousatonicAvenue

ExistingConditionofHelenMarxPark WestAspetuckRiver

BEGIN PHASE 3

PHASE 4

EXISTING TRAIL

BRIDGE

CONCRETE BOARDWALK

END PHASE 3

15

Phase 4 – Transition from Young’s Field Road to Bridge StreetSheet 11, Distance: 1,460’


Asnotedelsewhereinthisreport,thetownrecentlycompletedasectionofthetrailalongtheHousatonicRiveronthewestsideofYoung’sFieldRoad.Aspartofthispreliminaryengineeringplan,considerationwasgiventoextendingthemultiusetrailtothesouthalongtheriver.InordertotraverseBridgeStreet(U.S.Route202),twoalternativeswereexamined.OnewastopassunderVeteransBridgeadjacenttothebridgeabutment.Thiswouldbeaccomplishedbyextendingtheriprapandthebaseoftheabutmentintotheriver.ThesecondalternativewastobuildatunnelunderBridgeStreet.Underbothalternatives,theroutewouldbeconstructedonthesouthsideofBridgeStreettoWestStreet.Bothalternativeswereabandonedduetoutilityconflicts,impactsonprivateproperty,thetrafficonBridgeStreet,andthepotentialimpactsfromconstructionadjacenttothebridgeabutment.ExistingsidewalksonBridgeStreetwillcontinuetoallowpedestrianaccesstothebridgeandtheRiverwalkatYoung’sField.


TheselectedalternativeistoconstructatraillocatedonthesouthendoftheRiverwalkpasttheexistingplaygroundandtraversethesteepembankmentontheeastsideofthefielduptoPatriotsWay.Thereafter,thetrailwouldfollowtheedgeofPatriotsWaytoBridgeStreet.Thetotallengthofthetrailinthisphaseis1,460’.

Theproposedtrailwillhaveawidthof10’whereitisadjacenttothefieldandwouldthennarrowto8’ontheswitchbackramptransitioninguptoPatriotsWay,a20’differenceinelevation.AnewsignalhasbeendesignedfortheWestStreet-PatriotsWay-BridgeStreetintersection.ItisrecommendedthatthetownworkwiththeConnecticutDepartmentofTransportation(CTDOT)toincorporateapedestrianphaseintothecontemplatedsignalimprovements.

Trail at Young’s Field

PHASE 3

EXISTING TRAIL

BEGIN PHASE 4

END PHASE 4

PHASE 5

16

Phase 5 – West Street from Bridge Street to Hidden Treasure Park Sheets 11-13, Distance: 2,850’


WestStreetfromBridgeStreettotheentranceofHiddenTreasurePark(currentlyundevelopedopenspace),adistanceofapproximately2,850’,isatwo-lanestreethavingawidthof20’to22’.ThereisanexistingsidewalkonthewestsideofWestStreetfromBridgeStreettothebridgeoverGreatBrook,generallyinpoorcondition.Thereafter,asidewalkgapexiststoSouthAvenue.OntheeastsideofWestStreetstartingattheintersectionwithSouthAvenue,an850’lengthofsidewalkrunspastthesewagetreatmentplanttoHiddenTreasurePark.Therearerenovatedmillbuildingslocatedontheeastsideofthestreetandsmallerresidentialbuildingsonthewestside,notedinthearchaeologicalreportasbeingsignificantpointsofhistoricalinterest.WestStreetprovidesaccesstothetown’sWastewaterTreatmentPlant(WTP)andtoTheBleachery,arenovatedmillbuildingattheendofWestStreet.

AnalternativetrailroutewasconsideredconnectingfromtheintersectionsofWestStreetwithSouthAvenuetoGroveStreetandproceedingonGroveStreetpastLoversLeapStateParktoHarrybrookePark.SeethealternativediscussioninPhase7-HousanticRiverCrossingforareviewofthisalternative.


Theimprovementsinthisphaseofthetrailincludetheconstructionof1,500’ofnewsidewalksanddrivewaycurbcutsonthewestsideofWestStreetfromBridgeStreettothenewbridgeovertheGreatBrookwatercourse.Inaddition,asectionofnewsidewalkontheeastsideofWestStreetwillbeconstructedfromGreatBrooktoSouthAvenue(adistanceof230’).TherewillbeasignedcrosswalktoallowpedestrianstocrossfromonesidetotheotheratGreatBrookbridge.Thewidthofthesidewalkwillbe5’andconstructedwithintheexistingstreetright-of-way.WestStreetwillbemarkedasasharrowandwillbewidenedonitswesternsideforashortdistance,approximately200’,toaccommodatenewsidewalksinthevicinityofthehistoricbuildingsontheeastsideofWestStreet.

TrailPhaseMap

PHASE 5

17

WestStreetLookingSouthfromBridgeStreet

WestStreetBridgeOverGreatBrook

BEGIN PHASE 5

END PHASE 5

18

Phase 6 – Hidden Treasure Park Sheets 13-14, Distance: 1,120’


HiddenTreasureisanundevelopedopenspacearea(notyetdesignatedasanofficialpark)locatedonWestStreetoppositetheWTPwithextensivefrontageontheHousatonicRiver.ThesiteismostlyundevelopedexceptfortheabandonedpowerhouseandwaterstoragetankthatonceservedTheBleachery.Thepowerhouseisinsignificantdisrepairandhasbeenfencedtodiscourageaccesstothebuilding.Thesitealsohasacanoeportagearoundthedamassociatedwiththepowerhouse.Thepropertyshouldbeevaluatedforthepresenceofregulatedmaterialsassociatedwiththepriorusebeforeconstructingsignificantsiteimprovements.


ConsistentwiththeconceptplansforHiddenTreasure,theimprovementswillincludetheconstructionofatrailfromWestStreettothevicinityofthepowerhouse,adistanceofapproximately1,120’.Agravelparkinglotfor10vehicleswillbeconstructedneartheentrancetotheproperty.Thetrailwillhaveawidthof10’constructedongradeusingastonesurfaceinitiallythatcanbeconvertedtoapavedtrailwhenactivityincreases.Eventually,aportionofthetrail(280’)willneedtobeelevatedinordertoprovidesufficientelevationmeetingADArequirementstoconnecttotheproposedpedestrianbridgeovertheHousatonicRiver(Phase7).Wetlandandfloodplainpermitswillberequiredforthisphaseofthetrail.Inaddition,soilwillneedtobetestedforpotentialcontaminantsaspartofthepreliminarydesignandpermittingwhereexcavationwillberequired.

ExistingTrailConditionatHiddenTreasureParkOpenSpace

ExistingPowerhouseandStorageTank

PHASE 5

BEGIN PHASE 6

END PHASE 6

19

Phase 7 – Housatonic River CrossingSheets 14-15, Distance: 1,280’


SeveralalternativeswereevaluatedforcrossingtheHousatonicRiver.OnewasthepotentialforplacinganewbridgeontheexistingabutmentsoftherailroadbridgesouthofTheBleachery.ThebridgelieswellwithintheregulatedfloodelevationoftheHousatonicRiver.OfficialsoftheHousatonicRailroadopposedthisalternative.

Thesecondalternativewouldbetoconstructanewbridgeintheupstreamshadowoftheexistingbridge.ThiswouldrequiretheconstructionofnewpiersintheHousatonicRiverandapproachtrailsonTheBleacherypropertyandontheprivatelyheldpropertytothesouth.

ThethirdalternativewastodesignasidepathonGroveStreetthatbypassestheHousatonicRiverCrossing.Asharrowsystemwasconsidered,buthightrafficvolumesandtrafficspeedsexceedrecommendedguidelines.ThesidepathwouldbeconstructedfromtheintersectionofSouthAvenueandGroveStreetrunningsoutherlytoStillRiverDriveandHarrybrookePark.ExistingresidentialhousesclosetoGroveStreetonbothsidesofthestreetcombinedwithsteep,rockysideslopesontheeastsideofGroveStreetcreatedifficultexistingconditionsforthedesignofasidepathonGroveStreet.Thechallengingphysicalconditionscombinedwiththehighspeed/hightrafficvolumeonGroveStreetledtootherpreferredalternatives.

Thefourthalternativeconsideredwastolocatethebridgeinthevicinityoftheexistingdam,takingadvantageoftheislandlocatedimmediatelyacrossfromthepowerhousetoshortenthespanneededtocrosstheriver.Eachofthesealternativeswillrequireextensiveregulatoryapprovalstodemonstratetheconsistencywithfloodmanagementprinciples.Inaddition,boringswillberequiredforthefoundationsforthebridgeabutments.


ThepreferredalternativeforcrossingtheHousatonicRiveristheconstructionofabridgelocatedinproximityofthedam.Therewouldbetwospans,one175’inlengthandtheother260’inlength.Thepedestrianbridgewouldbeaprefabricatedstructurewithaclearwidthof10’.Takingaconservativeapproach,thelowchordofthebridgestructurewillbe1’abovetheelevationofthe100-yearfloodasshownintheFEMAreportforNewMilford.Refinementofthefloodelevationwillberequiredduringthenextphaseoftheprojectdesign.

Onthewestsideoftheriver,thetrailwillcontinuewindingupthesteephilltoPickettDistrictRoad.Thetrailwillhaveapavedwidthof10’and6’shouldersoneachside.ThiswillrequireextensiveregradingoftheslopetoachieveADAcomplianceandtoprovideconstructionaccess.PropertyrightswillneedtobeacquiredfromtheStateofConnecticutandanotherprivateproperty.

ViewUpstreamofDamintheHousatonicRiver ExistingRailroadBridgeattheBleachery

PHASE 7

BLEACHERY PROPERTY

PHASE 8

DAM

PHASE 6

20

Phase 8 – Pettibone Community Center to Pickett District Fields Sheets 15-20, Distance: 6,305’


Oneoftheobjectivesofconstructingatrailistoconnectpublicrecreationfacilities.Thereareseveralpublicandprivaterecreationsiteslocatedonthewestsideoftheriver:PettiboneCommunityCenter,PickettDistrictFields,LoversLeapStatePark,andHarrybrookePark.ThisphaseofthetrailisplannedtoconnectPettiboneCommunityCentertoPickettDistrictFields.ThelandusesalongPickettDistrictRoadinthisphasearegenerallyindustrialincludingtheKimberlyClarkcomplex.LargemanufacturingfacilitiesaresetbackfromPickettDistrictRoadmakingitconducivetoconstructasidepathalongtheroad.ThereisanexistingrailroadsidetrackthatservesKimberlyClarkthatwillneedtobecrossedbyanewtrail.

BEGIN PHASE 8 END

PHASE 8

PHASE 9

TrailPhaseMap21


TherouteofthisphasewillstartattheentrancetoPettiboneCommunityCenterandwillfollowthewesternedgeofPickettDistrictRoadtotheexistingdogparkasasidepath.Atthatpoint,thetrailwillcrosstotheeastsideofPickettDistrictRoad.Thereafter,thetrailwillbeasidepathparallelingPickettDistrictRoadontheeastsidetotheentrancetoPickettDistrictFieldsandterminatingattheparkinglotforthefields.Theoveralldistanceofthisphaseisapproximately6,305’.Thepavedtrailwillhaveawidthof10’.WhereitislocatedadjacenttoPickettDistrictRoad,thetrailshouldhaveaminimumdistancefromtheedgeofthepavementof5’whereverpossible.

Thisphaseofthetrailcouldbeincludedintheplannedimprovementstotheroad,possiblyshiftingtheroadslightlytothewesttoprovideanadequatelysizedlandscapestripbetweenthetrailandthestreet.CrossingtherailsidingwillneedtobecoordinatedwithKimberlyClarkandtheHousatonicRailroad.ThefinallocationofthesidepathwillneedtobediscussedwithKimberlyClarkwithrespecttopedestriansafety,landscapemaintenance,andsimilarpropertyissues.

ThedesignoftherivertrailalongPickettDistrictRoadwasviewedbytheTrailCommitteeasapositiveforKimberlyClarkemployeesandassociatedbusinessesintheareaandinprovidingastrongphysicalconnectiontothenorthtowardtheHousatonicRiver,WestStreet,andultimatelythedowntown.ThesoutherlylinkagestothetownballfieldsonPickettDistrictRoad,theNatureConservancyland,andLoversLeapStateParkwerealsodeterminedtobehighlydesirablerivertrailconnections.

ExistingConditiononPickettDistrictRoad

ProposedCondition

22

Phase 9 – Pickett District Fields to Still River Drive Sheets 20-23, Distance: 4,235’Existing Conditions:

ThecorridorfromthePickettDistrictFieldstoStillRiverRoadinthevicinityofLoversLeapStateParkoffersanumberofopportunitiesandvisualaccesstoanundevelopedsectionoftheHousatonicbutisnotwithoutseveralchallenges.ThemostsignificantwillbethecrossingoftheHousatonicRailroadtogainaccesstoapropertyownedbytheNatureConservancy(TNC).Inaddition,atthesoutherlyboundaryofTNCpropertyistheconfluenceoftheStillRiverwiththeHousatonicRiverwherethereisanabandonedrailroadcrossing.OnthesouthsideoftheStillRiveristhesitewherethereareremnantfoundationsoftheBridgeportWoodworksandanopportunityforculturalinterpretation.Finally,byfollowingtheabandonedrailroadroute,thetrailwillprovideaconnectiontoLoversLeapStatePark.Thisareaisnotedinthearchaeologicalreportasasiteofknownprecontactactivity.Withnumeroussignificantfindingsonrecord,accommodationofthesensitiveartifactspresentsanopportunityforincorporatinginterpretivedisplaysintothedesignofthetrail.


FromtheparkinglotatthePickettDistrictFields,thetrailwillcrosstheactiverailroadtracksinanewlocation.PreliminaryreviewoftherecordeddeedofTNCpropertyindicatestherighttousethiscrossing.AformallegalopinionshouldberequestedtoconfirmtheabilityofTNCtoconveyaneasementtothetownfortheconstructionofthetrailusingtheexistingcrossing.PreliminarydiscussionswithHousatonicRailroadmanagementindicatesawillingnesstochangethelocationoftheexistingrailcrossingwiththeunderstandingthatlegislativeapprovalandassociatedpermitsfromtheCTDOTwillberequiredforthenewcrossinglocation.

Aftercrossingthetracks,thetrailwillturnsouthfollowingtherailroadtrackstowardtheconfluenceoftheStillRiver,foradistanceofapproximately1,900’.Nearlyallthissegmentwillbewithintheboundaryofthe100-yearfloodplainandbuiltontheexistinggrade.However,ashortsectionoftrailatthenewbridgecrossingfortheStillRiverwillbewithinthefloodwayandfloodstoragecompensationwillberequired.

ThetrailwillcrossovertheconfluenceoftheStillRiverandtheHousatonicinthesamelocationastheoldrailroadcrossing.Theexistingabutmentswillremainuntouched.Newconcreteabutmentswillbebuiltbehindtheexistingabutmentstosupportanewpedestrianbridgehavingalengthofapproximately200’.Thenorthabutmentwillbewithinthefloodplainboundary.Thesoutherlyabutmentwillbeoutsidethefloodplain.FurtherarchaeologicalstudieswillberequiredaspartofthedesignprocessandsubmittedforreviewandapprovalbytheStateHistoricPreservationOffice(SHPO).Inaddition,afulltitlesectionofthepropertywillbeneededaspartofthenextphaseofdesign.

ThefinalsectionofthisphaseofthetrailwillextendfromthebridgeovertheStillRiversouthtoStillRiverDrivefollowingtherouteoftheabandonedrailbedforadistanceofapproximately1,450’.Thetrailwillbebuiltonexistinggradeexceptforashortsectionwhereminorfillingwillberequired.

Nature Conservancy Meadow FormerRailroadCrossingatStillRiver

ExistingRailroadCrossingNearPickettDistrictRoad

BEGIN PHASE 9

END PHASE 9

POTENTIAL CONNECTOR TO LOVERS LEAP PARK

PHASE 9A

PHASE 8 PHASE 10

23

Phase 10 – Still River Drive and Harrybrooke ParkSheets 23-27, Distance: 4,350’


AmajordestinationpointontherouteofthetrailbetweenNewMilfordandBrookfieldisHarrybrookePark,theentrancetowhichislocatedonFranksLanethatparallelstheHousatonicrailroad.WhenthetrailcrossesStillRiverDrive,theactiverailwilrequireanewpedestriancrossing.Indiscussionswiththerailroad,modifications/improvementstotheexistingrailroadcrossingshouldbeachievable.The48-acreparkisprivatelyownedbyatrustbutopentothepublicforwalkingalongitsextensivenetworkofpaths,picnicking,andforholdingspecialevents.Thereisaone-waylooproadthattraversesthroughtheparkexitingontoLanesvilleDrive.Theparkisopenfromdawntodusk.

Onealternativeroutethatwasconsideredattheoutsetofthisstudywastoutilizethewesterlysideoftheright-of-wayoftherailroadextendingfromStillRiverDriveallthewaytoBrookfield.AsidefromthepositionoftheHousatonicRailroadagainsthavingatrailadjacenttoanactiverailroad,therearenumerouspocketsofwetlandsthatwouldneedtobeeitherfilledorbridgedinordertoconstructatrail.Therefore,usingtheexistingnetworkoftrailswithinHarrybrookewasconsideredtobeabetteralternative.However,inpreliminarydiscussionswiththemanagementofthepark,itwasdeterminedthatutilizingtheexistingtrailswouldinterferewithparkactivitiesandanewtrailwouldbepreferredbeginningattheexitfromthepark.

Phase 9A – Sidewalk on Still River DriveSheets 22-23, Distance: 450’

InordertocompletetheconnectionfromthetrailtoLoversLeapPark,asidewalkwillbeconstructedfromtheintersectionofPumpkinHillRoadandStillRiverDrivetotheentrancedrivetothepark.Thesidepathwillhaveawidthof8’andalengthof450’.SharrowswillbeestablishedforbicyclistsonStillRiverDrive.

TrailPhaseMap

PHASE 9A

24


StartingattheintersectionofPumpkinHillRoadandStillRiverDrive,thetrailwillextendtotheentrancetoHarrybrookePark.ThisconnectionwillbeasidepathonthesouthsideofStillRiverRoadthatwillcrosstherailroadtracksandFranksLane,continuingthereafterasamultiusetrailtotheentrancetotheparkatLanesvilleRoadonpropertythatisidentifiedasbeingownedbynow/formerlyUnitedWaterCompany,Inc.(presumablybyitssuccessor,AquarionWaterCompany).CrossingtherailroadtrackswillrequiretheinstallationofcrossinggatesforthepedestrianstobecoordinatedwithHousatonicRailroad.

WithinHarrybrookePark,themultiusetrailwillbelocatedfromanewentryonLanesvilleDriveandfollowthewestsideoftheStillRivertoapointoppositetheexistingresidenceintheparkwhereapedestrianbridgewillbeconstructed.Becauseofthesteepslopesonthewestsideoftheriver,sectionsofboardwalksandretainingwallswillbeneededtoprovideanaccessibleroutethatwilltraversetheslope.OntheeastsideofStillRiver,theroutewillcontinuebehindthemaintenancebarnconnectingeventuallytotheparkdriveway.Inordertohaveaseparaterouteforvehiclesandbicyclists,theproposalcallsfortheconstructionofasectionofaccessdriveandusingtheexistingdriveasthebicyclepathinordertoavoidsomeofthelandscapeandeducationalfeaturesofthepark.Theoveralllengthofthisphaseofthetrailisapproximately4,350’.

WhileHarrybrookeParkisopentothepublic,thetownwillneedtoobtainrightstoconstructthetrailandallowthepublictouseit.

ViewofStillRiverinHarrybrookePark

Entrance&ParkingatStillRiverDrivetoHarrybrookePark

ExistingLanesvilleDriveBridgeBEGIN PHASE 10

END PHASE 10

PHASE 11

BOARDWALK

BRIDGE

25

Phase 11 – Candlewood Valley Country Club to Brookfield Town Line Sheets 27-35, Distance: 10,700’


AgoaloftheNewMilfordBikeandTrailCommitteeistohaveanoff-roadmultiusetrailwhereverpossibleconnectingtotheplannedtrailinBrookfield.However,theexistingconditionsinthecorridorfromCandlewoodValleyCountryClubtotheBrookfieldtownlinearegenerallynotconduciveforaseparatepathduetotopographicandnaturalresourcefactors.CandlewoodValleyCountryClubislocatedimmediatelytothesouthofHarrybrookeParkandadjacenttotheHousatonicRailroad.TheStillRiveranditsfloodwayandfloodplainareincloseproximitytoEricksonRoad.InareaswherethereissufficientlandwestofEricksonRoad,thefloodplainhassensitivewetlandsandarchaeologicalresourcesthatareprotectedinlargepartbytheWeantinogeHeritageLandTrust.


ThebicycleroutefromCandlewoodValleyCountryClubtoBrookfieldwillhavetwocomponents.Thefirstwillbeamultiusetrailandthesecondwillbeasharrowfollowingtheexistingtownroad.BeginningatthesouthernpropertylineofHarrybrookePark,ashortsection(100’)multiusetrailisproposedtoconnecttotheexistinggolfcartpathlocatedontheCandlewoodValleyCountryClub.WherethecartpathturnsawayfromtheHousatonicRailroadright-of-way,anewtrailwillbeconstructedthatwillbeconnectedtoEricksonRoad.Thetrailwillbeconstructedatgradealongtheedgeofthe100-yearfloodplain.Inareaswherethetrailcouldbeimpactedbygolf,screeningwouldbeinstalledtoprotectthetrailusersfromerrantgolfballs.Thelengthoftrailonthegolfclubpropertyisapproximately2,305’.PermissionsandeasementswillberequiredfromCandlewoodValleyCountryCluborthefutureowners.FromCandlewoodValleyCountryClub,thetrailistobeasharrowsystemforbikesutilizingEricksonRoadandAldrichRoad.PedestrianusewillbeincorporatedinPhase11AwithawalkalongtheStillRiver.

TrailPhaseMap26

ExistingBoardwalkatCandlewoodValleyCountryClub ExistingCartPathatCandlewoodValleyCountryClub

BEGIN PHASE 11 EXISTING

BOARDWALK

EXISTING BOARDWALK

END PHASE 11

PHASE 11A

27

Phase 11A – Nature Trail from Erickson Road to Brookfield Town Line Sheets 28-35, Distance: 9,600’


Aspreviouslynoted,constructingasidepathalongEricksonRoadtoaccommodatebothbicyclesandpedestrianswouldrequireextensivefillingandretainingwallstosupportthetrail.AnalternatepedestrianroutehasbeenselectedthatwillofferthetrailuseranentirelydifferentexperienceonthebeautyoftheStillRiverfloodplain.

TheStillRiverfloodplainisaknownculturalresourcewithsignificantevidenceofprecontactNativeAmericanactivitiesalongtheriver.AsoftwalkingtrailwindingthroughthebeautifulmeadowsandwoodlandoftheStillRiverfloodplainwillneedtobereviewedforimpactsonthese cultural resources.


FromthepointwherethemultiusetrailendsatEricksonRoad,thewalkingtrailwouldmeanderthroughthefloodplain,locatedtoavoidsensitivewetlandsandotherresources.Thetrailwillbe6’wideandhaveasoftsurfaceconstructedongrade.Footbridgeswouldbeusedtocrosssmallstreams.AsectionofretainingwallwillberequiredwherethetrailcomesincloseproximitywithAldrichRoad.Interpretivesignscouldbeinstalledtoexplainthenaturalandculturalheritageofthearea.Therewillbetwointermediatetrailaccesspoints:onefromthenewlyconstructedcanoelaunchattheNewMilfordDogPoundandtheotherfromasecondplannedcanoelaunch.AtrailheadwithparkingwillbeconstructedattheAldrichRoadandOldMillRoadintersection.Theoveralllengthofthetrailwouldbeapproximately9,600’.EasementswillberequiredfromWeantinogeHeritageLandTrust,CandlewoodValleyCountryClub,theCTDOT,andseveralotherprivatelandowners.Wetlandandfloodplainpermitswillberequiredforallofthisphaseofwork.

ExistingWetlandandMeadowsSurroundingtheStillRiver

ProposedSoftTrail

BEGIN PHASE 11A

END PHASE 11A

TOWN OF BROOKFIELD

28

4.0 PRELIMINARYOPINIONOFPROBABLECONSTRUCTIONCOSTS

Apreliminaryopinionofprobableconstructioncostshasbeenpreparedbasedon2018costs.Theprojectionsincludedesign,inspection,andconstructioncontingencies.Thecostsdonotinclude“soft”costsforadministeringtheprojectbythetownorotherfinancingcosts.Beforeproceedingwithanyphase,thecostsshouldbeupdatedtoreflectthecostatthetimeofconstruction.

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5.0 NEXT STEPSThecompletionofthePreliminaryEngineeringReportisjustthefirststepofmanytowardimplementingNewMilford’svisionfortheNewMilfordRiverTrail.Giventhelengthoftheprojectanditssignificantcapitalcost,thedevelopmentofthetrailshouldbeconsidereda20-yearendeavor.Whilethismayseemtobelongtimeinthefuture,therealityisthatsimilargreenwayandbikewayprojectsinConnecticuthavetakenlongertobefullycompleted.TheFarmingtonCanalHeritageGreenwayinCheshire,forexample,startedin1990andwasfinishedin2017.ThemasterplanforthegreenwayinNewHavenwascompletedin1998,andthefinalsectionisexpectedtobeginconstructionin2018.Withperseverance,theindividualtrailsegmentsdescribedinthisreportcanbeaccomplishedasfundingbecomesavailable.

5.1 Formal Adoption of the Report

ItisrecommendedthatthenextsteptowardimplementationshouldbetheformaladoptionoftheplanandreportbytheNewMilfordTownCouncil.Thecouncilisnotnecessarilycommittingconstructionfundingbyadoptionbutisgivingitsapprovalasalong-terminitiative.Thisstepisimportantasthetownseeksgrantsfordesignandconstructionfromfederal,state,andothersources.

TheplanshouldalsobeincludedintheupcomingrevisionstothePlanofConservationandDevelopment(POCD).WhiletheconceptforatrailwasidentifiedinthecurrentPOCD,therouteofthetrailcannowbeillustratedmoredefinitively,thusfurtherindicatingthetown’scommitmenttotheinitiative.

Finally,byitsadoptionbytheTownCouncilandincorporationintothePOCD,theimplementationofpiecesofthetrailcanbeconstructedaspartofothertown-sponsoredprojects.Forexample,whenpublicworksimprovementsareundertakenalongPickettDistrictRoad,forexample,thatsegmentofthetrailcanbereadilyincluded,andpossiblyfunded,aspartofthatproject.Thissameapproachcanbetakenasopportunitiesarise.

5.2 Sources of Funding

Transportation Alternative/Enhancement Funds

MostgreenwayandbikewaytrailsthathavebeenbuiltinConnecticutsince1990havebeenfundedbypublicgrants.Inmostinstances,theFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)providedfundspassedthroughtheCTDOTundertheenhancementsectionofthefederaltransportationauthorization.Inthepast,thelocalmunicipalityhadtomatch20percentofthefederalgrantthatcovereddesign,eligiblepropertyacquisition,andconstruction.ItislikelythatsuchfundingwillcontinuetobeavailablewhenCongresspassesthenexthighwayappropriation.However,inordertobeeligible,theprojectmustbecomepartoftheregionalTransportationImprovementPlan(TIP),whichthengetsapprovalforeligibilityfromCTDOT.Sincefundingislimitedbyregion,thecompetitionforfundingisrigorous.

Recreational Trails Program

TheRecreationTrailsProgramadministeredbytheConnecticutDepartmentofEnergy&EnvironmentalProtection(CTDEEP)hasprovidedtraildesignandconstructiongrantsinthepast.Thesourceofthefundsisthroughstatebondsandthegrantstendtoberelativelysmall,generallynotexceeding$500,000.Thecompetitionforthefundsissignificant,buttheNewMilfordtrailsystemwouldprobablybeappealingtoCTDEEPbecauseofitsproximitytootherrecreationalresources.

STEAP Grants

TrailsareeligiblefortheSmallTownEconomicAssistanceProgramgrantsthroughtheConnecticutDepartmentofEconomicandCommunityDevelopment(DECD).Thesegrantsaremadeannuallyinamountsnogreaterthan$500,000andmustcompetewithothereconomicdevelopmentinitiativeswithin the town.

Foundation Grants

Sometrailinitiativeshavereceivedlimitedfundingfromprivatephilanthropicfoundationsthatservetownsorregions.ThesetendtobelimitedinamountandscopebutshouldbeconsideredasthesourceofmoneytocoverdesignorthemunicipalshareofFHWAfunds.

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5.3 Regulatory Permits

BecauseoftheproximityoftheNewMilfordtrailtotheHousatonicRiveranditsassociatedfloodplainandwetlandsystems,therewillberegulatoryreviewsandpermitsrequiredpriortoconstruction.Itisrecommendedthatthepermittingprocessbecoordinatedearlyinthenextphaseofdesigninordertoget“buy-in”fromtheregulatoryagencies.Byinvolvingtheregulatorycommunity,thedesignandapprovalprocesscanbemoreefficientandpredictable.ThetablebelowliststhepermitsthatarelikelytoberequiredforeachsegmentoftheNewMilfordTrail.

31

1 Flood Management Certification is required if the project is sponsored by state funding agencies. 2 State general stormwater permit is required if land disturbance exceeds 5 acres.

REGULATORY MATRIX

Phase Local IWWA Local P & Z

State Water Quality

Certification ACOE

Flood Management Certification

CT Stormwater General Permit Notes

1 YES YES NO NO YES1 YES2 2 YES YES YES YES YES YES Greater than 5000 ft2 of wetland fill requires pre-

construction notification and state water quality certification.

3 YES YES YES YES YES YES Assumes a local permit required for road work adjacent to West Aspetuck and tributaries.

4 YES YES NO NO YES NO 5 YES YES NO NO YES NO 6 YES YES YES YES YES NO Greater than 5000 ft2 of wetland fill requires pre-

construction notification and state water quality certification.

7 YES YES YES YES YES NO Greater than 5000 ft2 of wetland fill requires pre-construction notification and state water quality certification.

8 YES YES NO NO YES NO 9 YES YES NO NO YES NO Assumes no federal permit due to use of existing

abutments. 9A NO NO NO NO NO NO Small spur to connect to Lover’s Leap Parking lot. 10 YES YES NO NO YES NO Small portion of work in floodplain triggers Flood

Management Certification. Majority of proposed activities in this portion of site occur on existing roadways.

11 YES YES NO NO YES NO 11A YES YES YES YES YES YES Work within existing road limits of Erickson Road would

require only local permits, while the 4’ soft walking trail triggers state and federal permits.

5.4 Property Acquisition

Inordertobuildsomeofthetrailsystem,rightstousesomeofthepropertieswillneedtobeacquired.Atpresent,theacquisitionswillbelimitedtoeasementsandnotfeeinterestintheproperty.Whatevertheownershipinterestmaybe,itwillbeveryimportanttoclearlyidentifytheextentofthepropertytobeacquiredearlyintheprocessandthatprocessfollowtheprotocolpublishedbyCTDOTintheeventthatpublicfundingistobeusedforconstruction.Thiswouldalsobethecaseevenifapropertyownergenerouslyofferstogivetheeasementtothetown.Thetablebelowdocumentsprivatepropertiesimpactedbythetrail.ThesourceofthepropertyinformationisastakenfromTownofNewMilfordAssessor’sOfficeGISmapping.

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5.5 Design Process

ThedesignandconstructionprocessforthetrailissimilartoanyotherpublicworksprojectinNewMilford.

•PreliminaryDesign:ThenextstepwillbethepreparationofPreliminaryDesignPlans(30%complete)thatwillrefinetheplanscontainedinthisreport.Itwillincludegeotechnicalexplorationswhereneeded,detailedevaluationoftheaffectedwetlandsandwatercourses,PhaseIIarcheologicalinvestigationwhereneeded,preliminarygrading,drainage,utility,andlandscapeplans.Theplanswillbeataleveltorefinethecostprojections.

•RegulatoryApprovals:UsingthePreliminaryDesignPlans,thetownwillbeinapositiontoformallyseeklocal,state,andfederalregulatoryapprovals.Thiscanbealengthyprocess,butpermitscanbesoughtconcurrently.Asnotedabove,involvingtheregulatorycommunityearlyinthedesignprocesswillbehelpfulduringtheapprovalofthepermits.

•FinalPlans,Specifications,andEstimates:Thenextstepinthedesignofthetrailwillbethepreparationofthefinalplans,specifications,andestimatesinordertoallowthetowntoseekcompetitivebidsfromresponsiblecontractors.Dependingonthesourceoffunding,thisphaseofdesignmaybedivideintothepreparationofsemifinalplans(60%submission)andfinalplansforreview(90%submission)beforethebid-readydocumentsarecompleted.

alignment study & preliminary engineering report · the new milford river trail alignment study...

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