Oxford First Selectman George R. Temple announced Thursday (July 11) that a Master Agreement has been signed between the Town of Oxford and the Connecticut Department of Transportation paving the way for the acceptance of the final plans for the reconstruction of Christian Street between Towner Lane and Robinson Lane by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Town of Oxford.
An expected Request for Proposals is anticipated to be sometime in the late summer of 2013. Construction will begin in early spring 2014.
The total distance to be reconstructed is approximately 3,200 feet, including depth pave reconstruction and drainage improvements. In addition, the width of the road will be widened to 30 feet.
The estimated cost of the project is $2,408,500. DeCarlo & Doll was approved and awarded the contract for the design of the project in July 2010.
The Christian Street Reconstruction between Towner Lane and Robinson Lane is a Surface Transportation Program (STP) grant awarded to the Town of Oxford in 2006.
The grant has been administrated since that time through all the various phases of approvals required by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
These approvals included the approval of the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office.
The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office required two archaeological surveys to be conducted on the land surrounding the construction site. Although archaeological finds were made it was concluded that the proposed construction would not impact these findings.
The Town of Oxford has submitted a STEAP grant for $500,000 to fund the final, remaining 2,800 feet of road between Hurley Road and Hawley, thereby completing the reclamation and some reconstruction of Christian Street from Route 67 to Airport Access Road.
A vital segment of the industrial loop will have been completed once this remaining section is completed which will increase the safety of Oxford citizens and provide an industrial quality road for Oxford’s industrial parks.
