Bolinsky, DOT Commissioner Discuss Sound Barriers for Riverside Section Residents

NEWTOWN- Early Friday morning, State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), Newtown First Selectwoman Pat Llodra and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker met about thirty neighbors and concerned residents of the Riverside section of (Sandy Hook) at the points of contact where Interstate 84 East and Westbound cross over Center Street, near Underhill Drive. The meeting was productive and residents did an effective job presenting their concerns to justify the possible need for safety and noise abatement measures made necessary by increased traffic and the current bridge rehabilitation project on the I-84 East and Westbound spans over Center Street in Newtown.

“The concerns of these residents have been rejected for more than a decade in their need for protective safety and sound barriers in this community. In the meantime, traffic volume continues to increase, along with greater negative impacts to their quality of life. Because of changed circumstances and adverse residential impacts being experienced by constituents in my district, I have respectfully asked the commissioner to reopen consideration of noise abatement measures for the Riverside section of Newtown /Sandy Hook at the points of contact with Interstate 84 Eastbound and Westbound at Center Street,” said Rep. Bolinsky.

“With the construction, noise adversely affects residents’ quality of life, flying debris endangers the safety of children at the local bus stop and there has even been criminal incursion and incidents of illegal trespass into residences originating from Interstate-84 Eastbound,” added Bolinsky.

In the aftermath of storms Irene and Sandy, Newtown was hard hit and experienced significant tree damage and loss along its I-84 corridor. Additionally, DOT has undertaken an extremely aggressive multi-year tree-cutting exercise in the area, resulting in the loss of the natural buffering of highway noise.

“I am in full support of my constituents who have become frustrated and feel helpless about this situation. Neighbors should NOT be subjected to falling debris and untenable noise at all hours of the day and night. It is my hope, the visit from the Commissioner Redeker will jumpstart an equitable solution,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “I eagerly await my next meeting with Commissioner Redeker to see what kind of remedies lay before us.”