Committee approves bigger budget for Waterbury West Main Street traffic signals

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments transportation committee on an administrative voice vote approved supplemental funding for the West Main Street traffic-signal project in Waterbury, raising the construction estimate from about $1,500,000 to roughly $2,100,000.

The measure matters because the signal work will be coordinated with a larger West Main Street reconstruction (the RAISE/“raise” project) and because the committee said higher costs reflect recent inflation and additional coordination needs. Patrick, a transportation planner with the council, told the committee the signal work was not included in the road reconstruction contract and therefore requires separate funds.

Committee discussion focused on why costs rose and which parts of the larger reconstruction would pay for roadway elements versus signal work. “This is the current design construction estimate plus the 20% contingency,” Patrick said when asked how the figure was calculated. Members asked whether the signal work is two intersections; Patrick confirmed it is two intersections and that the estimate includes a standard contingency.

A motion to approve supplemental funds was made and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and recorded the outcome as “Aye.” The committee did not record individual roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript.

The vote allows staff to advance design and procurement under the higher estimate; staff noted the project remains in design and that final bid prices could differ. Committee members also received a broader update on federal grant timing and other region projects during the meeting.

The committee expects to follow up as design advances and as federal grants affecting the broader roadway reconstruction are resolved.