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Torrington council approves $523,418 engineering contract for East D Street overhaul
Summary
The Torrington City Council approved a not-to-exceed $523,418 agreement with MC Schaff & Associates for construction administration and inspection on the long‑planned East D Street Improvements project, a largely federally funded $5.8M–$7M reconstruction expected to begin this spring.
The Torrington City Council on Feb. 18 approved an agreement with MC Schaff & Associates for construction administration and inspection on the East D Street Improvements project in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $523,418.
The project, presented by Public Works Director Jeff Harkins, is a long‑running reconstruction effort that Harkins said was initially designed in 2009 and had plans completed in February 2011. “We went back to MC Schaff, we asked them to go back through the plans, update them to the current standards, which they did and they completed that in 2022,” Harkins said. He told the council the engineer’s current estimate for construction is about $5.8 million and that the city has assembled financing that brings the total project funding to roughly $7 million.
Harkins said the project will replace underground infrastructure and rebuild the street: “Replace existing storm sewers ... reconstruct the street with 8 inches of PCC including curb, gutter, sidewalk, and access ramps. So a whole revamping of East D.” The work includes an 8‑inch PVC waterline, 17 storm‑sewer manholes and 36 catch basins, he said.
Council members pressed for details about funding and schedule. Harkins said the city pursued a mix of Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, a capital construction loan, Urban Systems funding and some city gas‑tax funds. He told the council SRF funding typically includes principal forgiveness and that the project money “has already been through the SLIB and appropriated.” Harkins said bids were advertised and bid openings were expected in mid‑March, with work likely beginning this spring and a target for substantial completion by December.
On construction sequencing, Harkins said contractors will work in short segments to limit disruption: “They'll probably start at Highway 26 and proceed northerly. They'll probably go one at most two blocks at a time so that ... people can get access back to the front of their houses.” He said curb stops and valves will be replaced and that service lines from the curb to the house remain the homeowner’s responsibility.
Councilman Kelly and others expressed concern about state and federal funding uncertainty; Harkins and staff told the council that if bids exceed available funds, the city would not be bound to proceed under the current engineering agreement. Councilman Deal moved to approve the MC Schaff agreement; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The council approved the contract with MC Schaff & Associates, not to exceed $523,418, and staff will proceed with bidding and construction oversight once bids are evaluated.
