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Avon council advances Old Farms Road realignment, accepts rights-of-way discontinuance
Summary
The Avon Town Council accepted the discontinuance of rights-of-way on the old section of Old Farms Road and heard a design update for the East/West realignment that widens bridges, adds a multi‑use trail and seeks grant funding to reduce local cost. Key permitting changes aim to streamline construction.
The Avon Town Council voted May 7 to accept the discontinuance of rights-of-way along the old alignment of Old Farms Road, clearing a legal step needed to complete the town’s planned realignment.
Town Engineer Larry Baril told the Council the town received the property it needs from Avon Old Farms School and will convey back the portions of roadway it no longer requires. The formal vote to accept the discontinuance was moved by Councilor Ausiello, seconded by Councilor Weber, and carried unanimously.
The Council then received a design update from Bob Barneschi of WMC Consulting Engineers and Baril. Barneschi said the revised plan proposes a 24-foot-wide travelway with a 4-foot grass median snow shelf and a 10-foot-wide paved bituminous multi‑use trail on the south side, plus living retaining walls with protective fencing. To reduce permitting complexity, the design expands bridge abutments and increases span length so the project can preserve the existing, meandering stream channel rather than straightening it. "We started with a 23‑foot‑wide bridge with additional bypass relief culverts and now we’re going to a 32‑foot span and allow water to pass through one opening," Barneschi said, noting the change would avoid additional permitting related to altering the stream channel.
Council members pressed for details on sight‑line improvements and environmental protections. Barneschi said the Thompson Brook curve will be softened—requiring earthwork and a trail alongside it—and staff will explore cross‑culverts or other measures to help amphibian movements near a nearby vernal pool. Baril described the retaining walls as a way to reduce the footprint of cuts and maintain a more rural roadway character.
Funding remains a central focus. The Town Manager reported approximately $3.6 million in grant awards for portions of the Old Farms project to date and described ongoing applications, including a $5 million LOTCIP submission (ranked fourth among applicants) and other competitive requests. The Council thanked staff for grant work and urged continued pursuit of outside funding; Chairman Polhamus cautioned residents that the full estimated project cost remains substantial.
What happens next: engineers will proceed with the streamlined design and permitting strategy; Council actions on rights and additional construction approvals will follow as the design advances and funding is secured.
