Town to hold informational hearing on proposed Skiff Street tunnel

HAMDEN, The town of Hamden will hold an informational meeting April 6 on a proposed plan that would redirect the Farmington Canal Greenway through a tunnel under Skiff Sreet. The meeeting will be held at 7:30 pm in the Third Floor Conference Room at Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Ave., Hamden.

The project is in a preliminary design stage and has been recommended for construction under the Surface Transportation Program administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation Program. The firm of Milone & MacBroom, Inc. is designing the project, according to an announcement from the officer of Mayor Scott Jackson.

It is the town of Hamden's and the State's policy to keep persons informed and involved when such projects are undertaken. It is important that the community share its concerns to assist in the project's development, the statement said.

As proposed, the Skiff Street Underpass Project will provide users of the Farmington Canal Greenway with an underground connection between the segments of the Greenway on both sides of Skiff Street. A 105 foot tunnel, comprised of a 14-foot wide and 10-foot high precast, concrete box culvert will pass directly under Skiff Street. The underpass will be illuminated and contain a video surveillance system linked to the Police Department.

The project will take approximately two months to complete. There will be a temporary, one to two-week closure preventing through traffic on Skiff Street, during which time traffic will be detoured to an alternative route. Existing utilities -- gas and water mains as well as electrical lines will be temporarily supported during the construction phase.

Based upon a preliminary assessment, the construction cost will be approximately $1,145,000. It is anticipated the Federal Highway Administration will provide 80% of costs up to $880,000, with the Town of Hamden providing the remainder. The Town of Hamden expects right of way acquisitions limited to one permanent and two temporary easements, and environmental permits limited to an Inland Wetland permit, to be part of this project.

The town is responsible for all the design costs associated with the project, according to the statement.

Anyone interested in obtaining further information or providing input may do so by contacting the Hamden Planning and Zoning Department at 203-287-7070.