Wells Road To Be Widened?

[morganika]

Someone told me Wells Road was to be made a four lane road from Wolcott Hill Road to the Silas Deane Highway. Is this true?

[SyZyGy]

I don't know if it is true or not (whether there are plans to widen Wells Rd between Wolcott Hill Rd and the SDH).

However, you might want to email

• the Chairman of the Town Council, Russell A. Morin, who is employed by the CT Dept. of Transportation (DOT): [e-mail],
• and / or our beloved Town Manager, Bonnie L. Therrien (AKA "BLT"): [e-mail],
• and / or our well-connected (to the transportation industry) Senator Biagio ("Billy") Ciotto: [e-mail].

Then you can let us know what they tell you.

Not that reasonableness has anything to do with the DOT, I would ask: why on earth would they want to widen that short stretch of the road (a state road in reality)? In my estimation it would serve no useful purpose, except to keep the bureacrats busy, the contractors wealthy and the labor unions happy.

I have always felt that short periods of traffic congestion are a benefit and incentive rather than a detriment or liability. Some might call this (slow down) "traffic calming" - despite the fact that some heavy-footed, SUV/truck-driving speed freaks might get agitated in the process (Heaven forbid that anyone else be on the road, get in their way, or slow them down!).

I think that we might have a bigger problem if the DOT decides to expand to four lanes (2 east, 2 west) the ENTIRE length of Wells Road in Wethersfield. Can't happen you say; just say "NEWINGTON" (Cedar Street!). What would THAT do to improve our "metro patterns"?

[SyZyGy]

From the Manager's Weekly Report: 1/7/2005:

"Recently, a resident of Wells Road contacted me regarding a rumor that the road would be widened to four lanes. Town Engineer Mike Turner informs me that the rumor is incorrect. In 1999, the Capital Region Council of Governments hired URS to do a corridor study of Rte. 175 Wells Road from the Silas Deane thru Newington. The report recommends adding a right turn lane on Wells Road eastbound at Silas which would require a minor widening just in the immediate area. This would leave a left turn, straight and right turn lane heading eastbound. The estimated cost of this work is $125,000 but it is part of an overall regional plan. The Town of Wethersfield, CRCOG and the DOT have not identified this study or even this specific portion of the study for construction in the TIP. The recommendations are only conceptual at this time. No money has been set aside for this proposed project."

[lakai17]

It sounds rather unnecessary.