WEST HARTFORD - A state Department of Transportation reconstruction project for New Britain Avenue, originally scheduled to start this year but bumped back to a 2011, now may be scaled back.

Town engineer David Kraus said state transportation officials met earlier this month with him and said that they were looking to reduce the scope of the project, though how it would be reduced was yet to be determined.
The cost of the project, now estimated at $11 million, was once valued at $7 million, Community Services Director Robert Rowlson said.

State Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said that all state transportation projects were being reviewed by the department in light of a poor funding outlook and "significant" preservation challenges with its existing infrastructure.

"We are having a reality check here at the department and with all of our stakeholders," Nursick said.

The Elmwood reconstruction project, which town officials said has been in the works for at least four years, involves work to New Britain Avenue between Colonial Street and South Street for 4,400 feet and construction on 400 feet of Newington Road. Left turn lanes would be added along New Britain Avenue, and the street would be widened by ten feet to accommodate the left turn lanes. In addition, ornamental black wrought iron lighting would be added, utilities relocated underground, raised and planted islands would divide the street and the road would be flanked on both sides by brick sidewalks.

"It's a great project," said Rowlson.

Kraus said that the road is in poor condition, and there are at least two locations along it that are listed by the state as high-accident sites. He said that the project is in motion, although the start date of the two-year construction has been pushed back, with the state already acquiring rights-of-way and engineering and construction plans essentially complete.

"It's now a matter of how much you scale back, and where," he said.