Major Bridge Project Topic Of Southington Forum

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The stream under it may not have a name, but a bridge over that stream under a Southington roadway does and the state is looking to replace it.

On Monday, March 10, the Town of Southington and the state Department of Transportation will host a public information forum on the Marion Avenue Bridge replacement project.

Council members at the last meeting, Feb. 2,4 unanimously voted to schedule the public information forum.

The state is conducting the work, but part of the requirement to fund the project is a forum to give local residents a chance to learn and comment about the proposal.

Monday's forum will be before the regular Southington Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 10, at 7 p.m. at the John Weichsel Municipal Center, 196 N. Main St., Southington.

There, folks will be able to meet and discuss with engineers associated with the project about what to expect, namely costs, traffic impacts, and reasons behind the project.

The bridge spans a stream that has no name, according to town officials.

Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone said while the state and federal governments are paying for the project, the town has to schedule the public forum.

"The DOT is working on a bridge over Marion Avenue, however, part of that, CT DOT and federal funding requires that the public have an opportunity to come in here with the engineers for the project and ask questions," Ricciardone said at the last council meeting.

Residents, business owners, commuters and anyone else interested in the site are asked to come learn about the project and ask questions.

For the minutes of the Feb. 24 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For the full notice of the March 10 forum on the bridge project, click on this link.