Frequently Asked Questions
What is this project about?
This study will take an objective and qualitative look at the state of the existing transportation system that within and around the Buckland area. Based on study findings, recommendations for practical, cost efficient system wide improvement will be programmed into plans for manageable implementation. The Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) will conduct the administrative and lead study activities, with technical assistance provided by the consultant firm of Dewberry –Goodkind, Inc. . The Project Team will consist of representatives of ConnDOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), and the towns of East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor.
How long will the project take?
The study will be carried out over a 24 month period concluding in mid to late 2008.
How large an area is being studied?
The study will be conducted giving attention to two distinct geographic areas. The broader area includes Interstate 84 (I-84) between Interstate 384 (I-384) and interchange 63 (Deming Road), Interstate 291 between interchange 4 (Route 5) and I-84, and Interstate 384 between interchange 1 (Spencer Street) and I-84. The more concentrated Buckland area that will be a major focus of this study is defined as the geographic area along Buckland Street and Buckland Road, from New State Road and Adams Street in the town of Manchester to the intersection of Routes 30 and 194 in the town of South Windsor.
What is the role of the Advisory Committee?
Throughout the study process, the Advisory Committee will meet to advise the project management team. It will include representatives of state and federal resource agencies, organizations or groups with a special interest in the transportation system in the Buckland area. The Advisory Committee will also include municipal representation to assure affected town governments have ample opportunity to participate in the study. The towns of Manchester, South Windsor and East Hartford each will appoint representation. Other groups currently represented on the Advisory Committee includeConnDOT, CRCOG, FHWA, Connecticut Department of Public Safety (CDPS), Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP), Office of Policy and Management (OPM), Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), CT Transit, and the Shoppes at Buckland Hills.
How can the public get involved?
There are many ways the public can provide input to the study team, including: three public information meetings which will provide the public with a formal opportunity to view study activities and provide input. These public information meetings are to be held at key project mileposts throughout the study.
Advisory Committee (AC) meetings are open to the public (see above: What is the role of the Advisory Committee). Public comments and questions will be taken at the conclusion of all AC meetings.
This interactive website helps the public monitor the progress of the study and offer input to the process. Meeting dates and minutes are available on this website as well as contact information, a comment form, and a brief survey to provide feedback to the project.
Targeted stakeholder outreach meetings will be conducted to ensure comprehensive representation from all stakeholders in the Buckland area. Dialogue will occur between a variety of individuals with a broad range of perspectives on the transportation system not necessarily represented on the advisory or technical committees or who might not need to be involved throughout the study. Examples include emergency responses personnel, school district representatives, senior citizen groups, social services, and “transient” users of the commercial area, etc. Fifteen targeted stakeholder outreach meetings will be held to round out the extensive outreach program and ensure all perspectives are heard.
How soon will we see improvements in the traffic conditions?
The study deliverable will be a Final Report documenting the study findings. The centerpiece of this report will be an implementation plan of near and long term improvements recommended to meet existing and future travel demands.
This plan will include detailed cost estimates, environmental sensitivity analysis of the recommended action, and a potential implementation schedule.
There may be some improvements that can be implemented fairly quickly (within a 5 year period), while others may require further, more detailed study, especially in terms of their impacts to the surrounding environment.
While it is impossible at this point to specify a schedule for improvements, ConnDOT, CRCOG and FHWA are committed to the development and implementation of real solutions to the traffic issues in the Buckland area.