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The figures in this section date back over fifteen years ago to the proposed Homart Mall development of one million square feet, planned for the same area that is currently under discussion by Konover Development. Konover has publicly mentioned projected square footage from 200,000 to 800,000 square feet. Obviously, the projected costs involved have substantially increased.
In 1989, CCPW estimated that 34,000 car trips would be added to our streets on a daily basis for the million square foot mall under debate. This was more than double all the existing cars in town at that time.
We believe that Homart’s prediction of $30,000 in costs for road repairs was significantly understated when you consider the additional wear and tear on the roads from traffic. This cost did not include the major cost of reconstructing the Route 8 entrances and exits.
CCPW focused on the town roads that would have fed the main arteries. For example, Echo Lake Road, Shaws Hill, and Academy Hill would all have required extensive roadwork. Falls Ave and Hillside Ave would have needed to be widened. Extensive work to Middlebury Rd, Woodbury Rd, and Gurnseytown Rd would have needed to be done and the connection of Plungis to Litchfield to Smith Pond would have needed to be constructed. The projected cost in 1989 was based on the then current Bunker Hill construction bid, and was approximately $15 million. We assumed that this work would be done over a five year period, and that 7% 20-year bonds would have been issued in each of the five years to pay for this work. The total cost of these bonds was $35.4 million.
Unquestionably, these costs would be much higher today.
A traffic factor that did not exist in 1989 is very important to our town
today. John Trumbull School, the only school for all of our Pre-K through
Second Grade children, is located at the crossroads of Route 262 and
Buckingham Street.
If even a tenth of the 1989 estimated 34,000 daily car trips traveled the easiest route from the currently proposed Big Box development into our downtown area, that would mean an additional 3,000 car trips per day through the intersection where John Trumbull School now sits.
If even a tenth of the 1989 estimated 34,000 daily car trips traveled the easiest route from the currently proposed Big Box development into our downtown area, that would mean an additional 3,000 car trips per day through the intersection where John Trumbull School now sits.