Detours Ahead for Drivers in Durham and Middlefield

Drivers can expect a less than scenic ride through Middlefield and Durham this summer - the result of two major road repaving projects, cleanup of a Superfund site and construction of a new golf facility.

Construction is expected to begin in late spring or early summer on Route 147 and Route 157. The state highways, which cover roughly 12 miles of roadway and serve as connection points to Route 66 and Interstate 91, will be completely repaved by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

In addition, the bridge crossing the Coginchaug River just south of Miller Road, will be widened.

The state has yet to announce a start date for construction, but town officials are already anticipating disruptions. 

"The whole effort of getting through Middlefield is going to be a challenge once this thing gets going," Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said.

"It's going to be disruptive. It's going to have an effect on the Durham Fair, it's going to have an effect on school buses, it will have an effect on our serenity and way of life, but it's going to take a long time to do a good job," he said.

Brayshaw has asked DOT officials to delay the start of construction due to the town's planned celebration of Old Home Days on June 10-11. The event's parade route travels down Route 157 (Main Street).

The road work along Route 147 will coincide with the construction of the Golf Center at Lyman Orchards, a new 9-hole training facility located on the north side of the road. Brayshaw said construction vehicles coming and going from the site will also be forced to work around any detours.

Durham First Selectwoman Laura Francis said the town was waiting to hear from environmental officials who are planning the cleanup at the former Merriam Manufacturing site on Main Street in Durham.

"The traffic pattern for the trucks has not been determined yet, therefore, we do not know if this construction project will impact operations or not. I will make sure that the EPA contractors are in communication with the DOT project managers," Francis said.

The cleanup at the Superfund site is scheduled to start this month and is expected to last several months.

"If it goes as well as Route 68, it will be minimal disruption with maximum benefit when complete," Francis said about the repaving project.

Next month the DOT will resurface a small stretch of Route 147 in Durham.

The one day project is scheduled for May 16.