NORTH CANAAN — Plans for gates and lights at the Main Street railroad crossing are on file in Town Hall. The project is planned for sometime in 2009.
That may not seem like big news, but put in the context of about 20 years of planning, the work is just around the corner.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has wrestled with the expensive issue of draining the grade crossing. It sits in a dip on Route 44, just east of the Route 7 intersection.
It is the lowest point in the surrounding area and takes the brunt of runoff. DOT engineers worried that underground water accumulations could cause electrical problems that would cause the gates and lights to fail.
The issue came up again recently as Streetscape grant improvements were proposed. That committee got involved in choosing new mast arms for an upgrade to traffic lights at the nearby intersection.
The upgrade was a prerequisite to the crossing work, and would allow both sets of signals to be coordinated.
Problems arose when the DOT decided it should also drain the spur crossing a short distance to the east. An initial plan was to connect the two, which would have required blasting through granite ledge and would have cost about $1 million.
The new plan calls for separate, extensive drainage systems. Runoff will be collected in storm drains and eventually make its way about 660 feet south to the Blackberry River.
The area around the crossing will take on significant changes. Along with the flashing lights and gates that will block the road’s 24-foot width, there will be additional signage.
Most significantly, more control at the crossing will be gained by making the adjacent entrance to the depot narrower.
A grassy area is planned east of the tracks, preventing vehicles from pulling in or out right next to the crossing.
The upgrade will include pedestrian crossing gates on sidewalks and re-painted crosaswalks at the intersection.
The selectmen have put together a list of questions and concerns for the DOT and its engineering consultant, BL Companies of Meriden.
The main concern is a detour. Main Street will be closed for whatever length of time construction takes.
A plan to divert traffic over North Elm Street has raised concerns among residents there, as well as merchants in the center of town.
