Connecticut Department of Transportation Commits to $2.1 million funding for Thompson

Thompson's logo

On 23 December, The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) issued a letter of Commitment to Fund sidewalk improvements for the Town of Thompson under the LOTCIP program. The $2.1 million in funds are for the reconstruction of existing sidewalks and constructing new sidewalks along 7,400 feet in the Town’s main travel corridor along Route 12/Riverside Drive. The existing sidewalks are cracked, narrow and unsafe. Replacing them with a smooth clean surface and granite curbs will make an immediate visual improvement to the downtown. Functional improvements will also include updated pedestrian crossings, ADA ramps, a bus shelter at Town Hall for the NECCOG bus line, and intersection improvements at Rawson Avenue. This project will significantly improve and connect the length of sidewalk on the east side of Riverside Drive, starting at Rawson Avenue and continuing south to the intersection of Riverside Drive (Route 12) with Thompson Hill Road (Route 200). The sidewalk will connect residents with shops and restaurants as well as the public schools, Town Hall and Post Office in the historic heart of Thompson. They will also connect to existing sidewalks to the library and North Grosvenordale River Mill where a planned mill renovation will add 300 market rate apartments with mixed use amenities. Design and engineering services are being performed by Hartford-based firm Freeman Company LLC, with funds from the 2018 DECD BAR (Brownfield Area Revitalization) Grant, an award supporting plans for community revitalization in the historic mill district. While the timeline for the release of the committed funds is not yet confirmed, construction is anticipated to begin in summer of 2021. Additional work in the 2021 construction season will be undertaken by the local Department of Public Works to make safety improvements to the intersection at Riverside Drive and Blain Road; and ConnDOT is expected to begin road improvements to Route 12 following the sidewalk project. The LOTCIP grant program is administered on behalf of municipalities by the regional councils of government. Jim Larkin at NECCOG advised Thompson’s Director of Planning & Development Tyra Penn-Gesek and MSRAC Chair Janet Blanchette in preparing the grant. Contacts: Janet Blanchette, Mill Sites Redevelopment Advisory Committee Chair: janet@jdcivilengineers.com Tyra Penn-Gesek, Director of Planning & Development: planner@thompsonct.org or 860-923-9475 x130 Amy St. Onge, First Selectman: firstselectman@thompsonct.org or 860-923-9561