Chapter 10 Transportation Avon’s transportation system includes local provide for convenient and safe access to these roads, state roads, sidewalks, and the recent locations. At the same time, the roadway must addition of greenways for pedestrian and bicycle move a significant volume of traffic. This use. The Town has 136 miles of Town-owned roadway has also become more significant to the roads; 16 miles of State roads; and 23 miles of region as a whole, as there are limited options private roads. There have been 51 miles of new when traveling east/west through the Farmington roads added since 1989. Roads are classified as Valley. In recognition of these facts, the State local, collector or arterial, according to their Department of Transportation has considered the function. A local streets major function is to possibility of making very significant changes to provide access to abutting properties; collector the roadway over the past several decades. In streets, as the name implies “collect” or funnel 1956, the DOT attempted to have the Route 44 traffic from residential areas and direct it to corridor west of Hartford added to the interstate arterial streets; arterial streets are generally system. This was rejected, but, nevertheless, the designed to efficiently distribute local and State proceeded with planning for an regional traffic through town and tend to carry expressway. In 1963, the State proposed a four the most traffic. Map 11 depicts the current and to six lane road leading from I-291 through proposed Plan of Circulation. This Map Avon to North Canaan. In 1967, highway identifies the current system of roadways by officials were attempting to get federal funding classification along with recommendations for to relocate a portion of Route 44. This segment roadway improvements and new road would lead from I-291 to a point on present day construction. Route 44, near Route 167. In 1970 the state considered building a tunnel through Avon Arterial Roads Mountain. By 1975, the State’s Master All State roadways in Avon are designated as Transportation Plan called for allocating $133 arterial roads. They include Routes 44, 10/202, million for “studies” of the corridor from West 167, and 177. Route 44 is the principal east- Hartford to North Canaan. Each of these plans west route through Avon. It is a roadway which met with significant political opposition from has the burden of accomplishing many tasks. It residents in Avon as well as three other is “Main Street” providing access to the historic communities which would have been impacted. village center. In addition, Avon’s main commercial/retail corridor stretches for almost 3 All freeway plans have now been abandoned but miles along it. Over 1 million square feet of more recently other proposals to ease traffic in commercial space exists here. Route 44 must the Farmington Valley have been considered. In Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 65 Chapter 10 Transportation 1997 a State proposed plan called for two new Plans recommend more modest but, roadways to be constructed, north and south of nevertheless, significant changes within the Route 44. The north road would be two lanes, existing right-of-way. connecting Bloomfield, Avon, and Route 10 in Recommendations to Route 44: Simsbury. A tunnel through Avon Mountain would cost about $500 million. The south road · Installation of a landscaped center would extend from I-84 at Route 9 in median from the Simsbury Town line Farmington as a four lane highway, then narrow east to Climax Road (See Figure 10.1) to two lanes and join Route 44 in Avon. These · Improve roadway geometry over Avon proposals were also abandoned due to concerns Mountain: add 8-foot shoulders, add 4- raised by area residents as well as concerns over foot paved median, realign curves environmental impacts. · Improve driveway safety by consolidating, closing, and relocating Route 44 and Route 10 Corridor Study commercial driveways as appropriate The most recent study for Route 44 was initiated · Intersection improvements at in 1998. At the same time a study with a very - Route 44/Route 167 similar scope of work was initiated for Route 10. - Route44/Route10/OldFarms Rd These reports known as the Route 44 and Route - Route 44/Route 10/Nod Road 10 Corridor Studies were completed in 2001, · Construction of a service road from after a three-year effort. The Route 44 Study Dale Rd to the rear of 385 West Main examined the roadway from Hartford to New St, continuing east through Bailey Rd Hartford. The Route 10 Study looked at this intersection, east through Nod Brook roadway from Granby to Farmington. There Mall, crossing over Nod Brook, was significant participation from all the towns continuing east to the rear of the along the corridor, by both elected and Walmart Plaza to Plaza 44, and ending appointed officials, Town Staff, and the general at the signalized intersection of public. These Plans were officially endorsed by Lawrence Ave and Route 44. (Figure Resolution of both the Planning and Zoning 10.1 depicts a portion of this proposed Commission and the Town Council and are service road) incorporated by reference to this Plan. The · Construction of a second service road studies concluded that vacant land was no longer starting at 29 West Main St opposite the available, nor was there public support to intersection of Woodford Ave and Route consider a major reconstruction project. These Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 66 Chapter 10 Transportation

44, continuing east and crossing Old · Installation of sidewalks on both the Farms Rd, connecting to Old Avon north and south side of the roadway Village, continuing to the Shops at River Park, and exiting at the signalized drive that services River Park.

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 67 Chapter 10 Transportation

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 68 Chapter 10 Transportation Recommendations to Route 10: Capitol Region Transportation Plan · A wholesale widening to 4 lanes is not In 2001, the Capitol Region Council of necessary. Governments (CRCOG) adopted the Capitol · Many locations have geometrically Region Transportation Plan, which will guide substandard shoulders that do not transportation investments in the Region through provide an adequate opportunity for a 2025. This plan recommends improvements to motorist to bypass a left-turning vehicle the Route 44 corridor from Canton to Hartford and safely accommodate pedestrians and and echoes some of the same recommendations bicyclists. contained in the two 2001 corridor studies. · As maintenance activities are Increasing public safety is the main goal of most undertaken such as repaving, shoulders of the actions proposed. In the commercial should be widened to 6 feet in rural areas, safety problems related to left turns at areas and to 4 feet in urban areas. driveways are identified as being of primary · Replace the bridge across the concern. On Avon Mountain safety is a critical at Old Farms Road problem where steep grades, sharp curves, and and improve the excessively steep high speeds result in frequent and severe eastbound approach. accidents. The major road improvements recommended in the CRCOG Plan for the Avon The Planning and Zoning Commission strongly area are: encourages the State Department of Transportation to follow the recommendations 1. Avon Mountain: Correct safety problems contained in these Plans. over Avon Mountain by reconstructing roadway to include: 8-foot shoulders; 4-foot painted median (buffer space between opposing lanes of traffic); left-turn lanes at intersections; and reduction of sharp curve near Deercliff Road. 2. Avon-Canton Commercial Area: Correct left-turn accident problem in commercial area of Avon and eastern part of Canton by reconstructing Route 44 with a median. Median to be sufficiently wide (24 feet) to allow Route 44

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 69 Chapter 10 Transportation landscaping to create an attractive “boulevard” management requires active planning by towns type appearance. and the State to help determine how many driveways will be allowed in the future, where Other recommendations include upgrading the they will be allowed, and how they will be Computer Controlled Traffic Signal System, designed. including replacement of older signal systems and installation of new signal systems at Avon has been in the forefront of access locations that meet warrants for this advanced management through the application of its type of control. Zoning Regulations over the past 5 decades, with many businesses now sharing driveways and eliminating unnecessary curb cuts, especially along Route 44. This has been accomplished largely by 2 means. The first is by requiring private developers to grant easements to adjoining private property owners as a condition of site plan approval. These easements are granted at no cost to either party. When the adjoining property owner also applies for site plan approval at some later date, a cross Rte 10 connection is made. This sometimes sets up a Access Management condition where an existing driveway (curb cut) Access management involves limiting the can then be closed. number of individual driveway cuts onto a heavily traveled roadway in order to preserve the The second technique involves an innovative capacity of the existing road and thereby zoning provision known as consolidated parcel minimize the need for either widening or making agreements. Adjoining property owners are operational improvements. Access management encouraged to jointly develop or redevelop their is also critical to maintaining the effectiveness of commercially-zoned property. Avon’s Zoning a coordinated traffic signal system. Both Regulations provide certain benefits largely roadway capacity and signal system through reduced requirements for parking and effectiveness can be reduced by construction of yard setbacks as a means to encourage this type too many driveways, poorly located driveways, of development. This can result in the sharing or poorly designed driveways. Access of a single curb cut and in the instance of Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 70 Chapter 10 Transportation redeveloped sites the elimination of one or more elimination of the “S” curve; and reconstruction existing curb cuts. of Nod Road including the removal of the “S” curve. The Commission should pursue funding sources to prepare a detailed access management plan Several sections of a new collector roadway which can be used as a guide in the review of known as Northington Drive have been individual site plan applications. Following the constructed in the Huckleberry Hill area preparation of this plan, regulatory changes can (Neighborhood #13) over the past 15 years. be considered which could require compliance This construction has taken place incrementally with this Plan when the Commission reviews and funded privately with the construction of applications through the Site Plan Approval individual subdivisions. One remaining portion process. of this roadway, approximately 4,000 feet in length, must still be constructed from where it Collector Streets currently ends (Bridgewater Subdivision). This Map 11 depicts the existing and proposed will provide for an important connection to collector street network. The following is a list Lofgren Road. The majority of this road will be of collector streets: constructed privately. However, a small portion Arch Road Lovely Street of this planned extension (600 feet) crosses the Burnham Road New Road Carriage Drive Nod Road Town-owned “Found Land”. This will require Chevas Road Northington Drive public funding. This should be budgeted for Climax Road OldFarmsRoad Country Club Road Scoville Road through the Town’s Capital Budget process. It Deercliff Road Stagecoach Road may also be possible to consider a land swap Harris Road Talcott Notch Road Hollister Drive Thompson Road such that this 600 feet portion could also be Huckleberry Hill Road Tillotson Road constructed privately, as part of the development Juniper Drive West Avon Road Lofgren Road Woodmont Road of the parcel of land is now owned by Jakubiak

parcel # 3030047. Many important recommendations from prior

Comprehensive Plans concerning collector Plans for a major realignment of Old Farms streets have now been accomplished. These Road, including reconstruction of the bridge include the construction of the Woodmont- over the Farmington River are currently in Juniper connector; extension of Hollister Drive; design. These improvements are needed to reconstruction of Country Club Road from West address current safety and capacity issues. This Avon Road to Lovely Street including the new alignment as shown on Map 11 will also Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 71 Chapter 10 Transportation provide an opportunity to buffer the Avon Old Notch Road. The ADT on Route 177 (Lovely Farms School campus from the impacts of Old Street) varies between 5,000 and 8,000. Route Farms Road. This road will continue to function 167 (West Avon Road) carries daily volumes as an important collector roadway. between 6,000 and 15,000.

Traffic Volumes Increased traffic volumes at peak hours have Table 10.1-10.4 presents the ADT at key resulted in conditions which require locations on Route 44, 10/202, 177 and 167. improvements at key intersections between the The State Department of Transportation defines Town’s collector roads and State Roads. The ADT as “an estimate of the number of vehicles intersection of Country Club Road and Route passing through a defined section of roadway on 167 as well as the intersection of Talcott Notch an average day for both directions of travel Road and Route 10/202 will need to be combined”. The Department of addressed in order to maintain public safety and Transportation (DOT) collected this data during a reasonable level of service. Level of service is the months of January, February and March of defined as qualitative measures that characterize 2003. These counts should be considered operational conditions within a traffic stream approximate as data is collected only over a and their perceptions by motorists and single day. Results will vary somewhat passengers. Intersection improvements at Old depending on the month, day of the week, Farms Road and Route 10/202 are being weather conditions, and road construction addressed as part of the bridge replacement/Old projects. Farms Road realignment project discussed earlier and are a top priority. Peak volumes of over 34,000 vehicles per day or average daily traffic (ADT) occur on Route 44 between the intersections of Simsbury Road (Rt.10) and Waterville Rd. (Rt. 10). This section of road carries the largest traffic volume in Avon. Other areas along Route 44 carry between 22,000 and 29,000 ADT.

Traffic on Route 10/202 (Waterville Road) varies between 13,000 and 16,000 ADT. The highest volume is at the intersection with Talcott Traffic on Route 44 Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 72 Chapter 10 Transportation

Figure 10.3 Rte 44 and Rte 10/202 Average Daily Traffic for 2003

Figure 10.4 Rte 10 ADT 2003

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 73 Chapter 10 Transportation

Figure 10.5 Rte 167 ADT 2003

Figure 10.6 Rte 177 ADT 2003

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 74 Chapter 10 Transportation Scenic Roads Temporary and Permanent Cul-de-Sacs Public Act 87-280 authorizes the Commissioner The Planning Commission’s practice has been to of Transportation to designate State highways or designate some cul-de-sacs as "temporary" portions thereof as scenic roads in consultation during the subdivision approval process. These with the Commissioners of Environmental temporary cul-de-sacs are meant to be extended Protection and Economic & Community at some future time when adjacent property is Development. A scenic road is defined as any developed. Many roads have been extended in State highway that: 1) passes through this manner, greatly contributing to the Town’s agricultural land or abuts land on which is overall circulation system. In 1989, 33 located an historic building or structure listed on roadways existed that ended in a “temporary cul- the National Register of Historic Places or the de-sac”. Since then, 7 of these 33 have been State Register of Historic Places; or 2) affords extended. Several of the remaining temporary vistas of marshes, shorelines, or forests with cul-de-sacs have been deemed unnecessary or mature trees or notable geologic or other natural not feasible due to environmental features. Consideration should be given to considerations. In addition, several new utilizing this designation for Route 167 (West temporary cul-de-sacs have been added to the Avon Road). If so designated, any future town’s inventory since the last Plan. There are improvements made to this roadway by the State presently 17 temporary cul-de-sacs which are would require special design considerations depicted on Map 11. including landscaping, signage, and pedestrian Permanent cul-de-sacs are designed to be "dead needs. ends", with no future extension or connection

possible. The Subdivision Regulations establish strict standards for the maximum length and maximum number of homes permitted on permanent cul-de-sacs for reasons related to public safety. The vast majority of cul-de-sacs in Avon are designated as permanent.

Scenic Road

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 75 Chapter 10 Transportation Sidewalks Sidewalks along both sides of Route 44 should Avon has a limited sidewalk system and there be constructed as part of the overall Plan for are no requirements for the construction of modifications as described in the 2001 Route 44 sidewalks in new subdivisions. However, there Corridor Study. are sidewalks along West Avon Road in the vicinity of Country Club Road south to Scoville Road, along Scoville Road east to the Farmington Valley Greenway. Consideration should be given to expanding the system, particularly in the vicinity of schools and neighborhood businesses. Consideration should also be given to the construction of lower cost Avon Center Sidewalk on Rte 44 gravel seasonal use walkways in areas where use Bicycles is likely to be limited. If this concept is used, Avon has one designated bicycle path from the the Town could eliminate the requirement for Farmington line north to the Simsbury line. It is winter maintenance by abutting property part of The Farmington Valley Greenway, a owners. multi-purpose trail that has been completed for the entire length in Avon. The Greenway is nearing completion in other Valley towns and will stretch for 22 miles from the /Connecticut State line to Farmington. The Greenway is also part of the Farmington Canal Trail, which is proposed to extend from New Haven, Connecticut, to Northampton, Massachusetts.

In April 2000, the Capitol Region Council of Avon Center Sidewalk on Rte 44 Governments adopted the Capitol Region Additional sidewalk construction in Avon Bicycle Plan that defines a strategy for making Center is a key component to accomplishing the the Region a bike friendly environment that goals of the 2005 Avon Center Study. supports bicycling as a viable form of travel. It Sidewalks should be constructed as shown in is worthwhile to review the vision statement: this Plan. Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 76 Chapter 10 Transportation ‘That by the year 2010, residents and The recommendations the Plan calls for are: visitors of the Region will be able to safely 1. Regional Greenway System - Avon has and conveniently walk, bicycle, or take another type of non-motorized vehicle via completed its portion of this trail. A future roads and multi-use trails, to employment link with the Charter Oak Greenway is centers, shopping areas, bus and train centers, recreational and cultural attractions, proposed. Once linked, the two greenways and schools. Residential and commercial will become part of the even larger network land use planning and development will incorporate walking and bicycling as of trails that is known as the East Coast legitimate transportation modes, providing Greenway that will eventually stretch from people of all ages with efficient and enjoyable transportation options within Maine to Florida. development clusters and to nearby 2. Bike Friendly Roadways - Most of the destinations. It is our intent that such steps will promote a sense of community and cycling in the region will be on roads. Two friendliness in our communities, while important strategies that have the biggest enhancing our appreciation of the natural environment.’ impact on bicycling safety and cyclists’

perception of safety are wide curb lanes and wide shoulders (4 feet or more). 3. Bike Friendly Land Use - The main areas of concern with this regard are access to a development and places to park and secure a bike. Developers, towns and the state are encouraged to provide more bike racks in appropriate areas. 4. Bike Friendly Transit - Cycling can be feasible for a greater number of individuals if a cycling trip can be combined with a transit trip. The bike plan recommends secure storage for bicycles at transit stops, and special racks on the exterior of busses so cyclists can take their bike with them while they ride the bus. Reconstruction/improvements to existing roadways, particularly collector roadways, should employ these principles. Farmington Valley Greenway Map Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 77 Chapter 10 Transportation Plan. Left hand turning movements have become an ever increasing safety concern on Route 44. A raised landscaped center median on Route 44 is an important change to address the impacts of increased volumes of traffic and to contribute to the aesthetics of the roadway. 3. Route 10 (Simsbury Road and Waterville Road) should remain a two-lane roadway. Farmington Valley Greenway 4. Encourage the State DOT to implement

Goals and Policies improvements to state roads in Avon. Goal: Ensure that these improvements are done in Provide for the safe and efficient movement of a manner which respects neighborhood and vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic within community character. Consider the the Town of Avon. advantages of Public Act 87-280, Scenic Roads. Policies: 5. Implement the reconstruction and 1. Many of the proposed roadways shown in realignment of Old Farms Road and the the previous Plan of Development have been construction of a new bridge over the completed. Continue to complete the Farmington River as shown on Map 11, as remainder of the connector roads as shown well as the Future Land use Plan. on the Circulation Plan as part of the 6. Implement a sidewalk construction and subdivision process or town initiative as a maintenance plan for sidewalks as outlined capital project where it is deemed necessary. in the Avon Center Study and in other These roadways include the realignment of strategic locations, particularly along Route Old Farms Road, extension of Northington 44, in school zones and in neighborhood Drive, and connections to designated shopping districts. temporary cul-de-sacs. 7. Consider pedestrian and bicycle traffic when 2. Encourage the State to implement Route 44 designing or redesigning new roads. and Route 10 improvements as outlined in 8. Utilize appropriate traffic calming the Route 44 Corridor study and Route 10 techniques which do not compromise safety, Corridor Study and as summarized in this

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 78 Chapter 10 Transportation but will slow traffic in Avon Center and on 12. Work with the State Department of local roads. (See Avon Center Study) Transportation to improve the level of 9. Continue to encourage the use of common service at key intersections between State driveways, interconnection of parking lots, roads and Town collector roads. Two acceleration and deceleration lanes, and to priorities are the intersection of Country limit the number of curb cuts along the Club Road and Route 167 (West Avon Town’s major arterial roadways. Road) and the intersection of Talcott Notch 10. Eliminate the use of restricted right in/right Road and Route 10/202 (Waterville Road). out driveways as an access management technique. 11. Consider a realignment of Enford Street such that is results in a four-way intersection with Woodford Avenue. This could be accomplished by shifting Enford Street to the north utilizing the eastern end of the Towpath School site.

Aerial View of Route 44 and Rte 10 Intersection

Town of Avon Plan of Conservation and Development Page 79