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Thames Street Review CommitteeThames Street Review Committee

Recommendations for Rehabilitation of Recommendations for Rehabilitation of Thames StreetThames Street

Groton, ConnecticutGroton, ConnecticutJanuary 18, 2011January 18, 2011

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Thames Street Committee Members

Town Councilor – Deborah Monteiro

Groton Mayor – James Streeter

City Council Deputy Mayor – Marian Galbraith

City Councilor /RTM Member– Keith Hedrick

RTM Member – Nancy Beckwith

RTM Member – Carole McCarthy

RTM Member – Mark Svencer

Thames Street Advisory Committee Member – Hali Keeler

Thames Street Advisory Committee Member – Robyn Hoffmann

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Thames Street 2009 Referendum

• Town of Groton is responsible for funding improvements

Section 40 of No. 362 of the State of Connecticut Special Acts of 1933 requires Groton Town Council to fund all Town, City, and Groton Long Point roadways

• 2009 Referendum requested approval for a $10,725,000 bond for rehabilitation of Thames Street

• Voter referendum failed

• In 2006 & 2010, major retaining wall and slope failures occurred on Thames Street

• 2010 Thames Street Review Committee is formed

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Thames Street Review Committee

Goal

• Rehabilitate Thames Street as a safe, structurally sound, functional roadway

• Respond to citizens’ concerns and input

• Review and recommend cost-effective measures for repairing the street and its infrastructure

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2010 Retaining Wall andSlope Failures on Thames Street

Wall failure next to Paul’s PastaMarch 2010

Slope failure at Electric BoatMarch 2010

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Thames Street Overview & History

Improvements History

• Improvements have been limited in nature• 1957 – Last time Thames Street was completely overlaid

with bituminous concrete• 1990’s – Streetscape Improvements (Fort Street to School

Street)State and federal grants utilizedGranite curbingOrnamental lightingPaver sidewalksPaver crosswalks / four intersections

• Periodic maintenance

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Thames Street Review CommitteeFindings & Recommendations

The Committee Approach

• Conducted walking tour

• Reviewed previous plans and studies

• Authorized subsurface testing program

• Conducted public survey

• Revisited work scope

• Reviewed and analyzed alternative strategies and design options

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

The Survey• Failure of 2009 Referendum was due to

Project cost was excessive in poor economic times

Voter confusion as to why the Town is responsible for funding a project in the City

Lack of information regarding the need for the project

Lack of information regarding what the project entailed

Misconception that the project focus was more on streetscape enhancement rather than roadway rehabilitation

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

The Survey• Important elements:

Road reconstruction

Retaining walls

Drainage

Sidewalks

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Test Pit Program

• Perform test pits

• Determine sections of Thames Street with varying subsurface conditions

• Discuss findings with Groton public works staff and engineering staff

• Develop alternative rehabilitation techniques

Ten Test Pits performed August 30, 2010

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Thames Street Rehabilitation – Varying Street Conditions

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Eastern Point Road to Fort Street – Area AViewing North (not to scale)

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Existing Condition Adjacent to Electric Boat Photo-Simulation Depicting New Roadway Pavement and Concrete Sidewalk and Asphalt

Curb Adjacent to Electric Boat

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Existing Condition Looking South toGarbo Lobster

Photo-Simulation Depicting New Pavement, Concrete Sidewalks, and Retaining Wall

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Existing Condition below Thames Street north of Garbo Lobster

Photo-Simulation Depicting New ConcreteRetaining Wall Supporting Thames Street

north of Garbo Lobster

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Fort Street to 300’ North of School Street – Area BViewing North (not to scale)

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Existing Condition at Intersection of School Street and Thames Street

Photo-Simulation Depicting New Pavement and Painted Crosswalks; Existing Granite Curb and

Paver Sidewalks to Remain

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

300’ North of School Street to Bridge Street – Area CViewing North (not to scale)

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

Existing condition – north of School Street looking toward Bridge Street

Photo-simulation showing new pavement, concrete sidewalk, granite

curb, and paver strip

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

How Project Costs Were Reduced

• Focus strictly on road reconstruction, necessary retaining walls, drainage improvements, utility needs, curbing, and basic sidewalk improvements

• Implement alternate pavement rehabilitation strategies

• Reduction in surface level improvements including sidewalk pavers and landscaping

• Eliminate illumination / lighting

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Thames Street Review Committee Findings & Recommendations

• Feature Cost Reduction %

• Roadway $1,295,068 ‐37%

• Lighting $0 ‐100%

• Retaining Walls $838,327 ‐48%

• Crosswalks $26,746 ‐95%

• Trees & Plantings $19,338 ‐83%

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Thames Street Review Committee Final Costs

– Total Cost of Construction Items: $5,325,504– Soft Costs:  (Final Design, Inspection, Testing, Financing, and Legal Fees)  $1,050,000

– Revised Projected Project Cost:  $6,375,504

• This represents a reduction of total project costs of $4,305,358 (or 41%) from the November 2009 ($10,725,000) Referendum

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Cost to TaxpayerEstimated Annual Cost  on

Mill Increase Median Home Assessment($165,410)

FYE 2014 .02 3.12

FYE 2015 .09 15.13

FYE 2016 .15 24.18

FYE 2017 .14 23.18

FYE 2018 .13 22.21

FYE 2019 .13 21.25

FYE 2020                       .12 20.33

FYE 2021                       .12 19.42

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Cost to Taxpayer

Year               Estimated         Annual Cost               Year         Estimated         Annual Cost  Mill  Median Home                                   Mill                    Median HomeIncrease           ($165,410)          Increase           ($165,410)

FYE 2022          .11  18.54 FYE 2029  .08 12.95FYE 2023 .11 17.58 FYE 2030 .07 12.08FYE 2024 .10 16.84 FYE 2031          .07 11.39FYE 2025       .10        16.02 FYE 2032 .06 10.72FYE 2026          .09 15.22 FYE 2033 .06 10.06FYE 2027 .09 14.45 FYE 2034 .06 9.42FYE 2028 .08 13.69 FYE 2035 .03 4.87

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Committee Recommendation

In light of

• the continuing deterioration of Thames Street;

• the need to restore the structural integrity and safety of the street for businesses and residents;

• the road’s value and importance both economically and historically to the Groton community; and

• the fact that Thames Street has been the subject of numerous Town and City studies since the mid 1980’s;

the Thames Street Review Committee recommends that the Town Council and RTM move forward with the revised project and that a town-wide bond referendum for the project be put forth to the voters in May 2011.

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Contact Information

If you have questions on this presentation or would like additional information please contact:

Marian Galbraith: (860)-445-0748

Or

Keith Hedrick: (860)-446-2862