Detours Ahead for Durham Fair, Lyman Orchards

Delays in the Route 147 bridge construction project will prevent the state from opening the highway to two lanes of traffic during the Durham Fair, officials with the state's Department of Transportation said Thursday.

DOT officials met Thursday morning with local officials and business leaders from Durham and Middlefield, including representatives from Lyman Orchards and the Durham Fair Association, to discuss the project at a special meeting hosted by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting was scheduled after the DOT announced last month that the project was behind schedule, leading to concern among officials that delays would have a negative impact on this year's fair and the typically busy fall-season at the orchards.

"The bridge has to be done, so it's no one's fault on that but it shouldn't be at the cost of our businesses," said chamber president Larry McHugh at the meeting held at The Lyman Homestead.

At a meeting in December, DOT officials said construction would be halted to accommodate two-way traffic during the 4-day event. But although the bridge project remains on schedule to be completed by the spring of 2015, DOT project manager James Ruitto said early delays caused by utility work will prevent the state from opening the road to two lanes of traffic during the Durham Fair scheduled for September 26-29.

"The schedule was very tight just to make that milestone. Once we were delayed by the utilities it became evident that we weren't going to make that milestone," said Ruitto.

Officials plan to meet again early next week to discuss alternative routes, which will likely include Miller Road which lies just north of the project. Complicating the situation, however, is the planned reconstruction of the Miller Road bridge. 

Middlefield first selectman Jon Brayshaw said the project is currently out to bid but should be completed prior to the start of the Durham Fair.

Lyman Orchards president Steve Ciskowski asked Brayshaw to consider delaying the project until the spring to lessen the impact on the fair and the orchard, which Ciskowski said does about 40 percent of its business in September and October.

"If we have two areas shut down, I can tell you it's going be a nightmare," McHugh said.

Durham first selectman Laura Francis said any alternative routes will need to be included in the town's application for a traffic pattern permit which is submitted annually to the DOT prior to the fair.

Officials also expressed concern over the cost of hiring additional state police to perform traffic detail and said additional signage alone would likely not be sufficient to alert motorists to the changes.

"It's unfortunate that this project got delayed. But it is what it is and I don't think there's any turning back now," said Durham Fair president Daniel Miramant.

McHugh scheduled another chamber meeting on Thursday, August 8 at the Durham fairgrounds where officials are expected to provide an update on the detours.