Thomas MacMillan Photo
Land Trust’s Randall: “We did it.”
After a media offensive by New Haven preservationists, the state Department of Transportation agreed to put the brakes on a plan that would have turned a third of an acre of nature preserve into a highway ramp.
James Redeker, acting DOT commissioner, announced that news Saturday morning on Long Wharf Drive at a press conference surrounded by several dozen happy conservationists, cyclists, and elected officials.
Redeker’s announcement amounted to an official U‑turn on a plan to put in a new Exit 46 ramp off of I‑95, onto Long Wharf Drive. That plan drew the ire of the New Haven Land Trust, through whose nature preserve the ramp would have run.
The DOT reversal comes in the wake of articles about the plight of the preserve, first in the Independent and then in the Register.
It was the latest example of citizen outrage in New Haven over DOT planning without taking seriously local concerns. Unlike in the most recent case — the widening of Whalley Avenue in upper Westville—DOT officials responded to the outrage in this Long Wharf case, at least for now.
Addressing those gathered at Long Wharf Drive on Saturday, Mayor John DeStefano said the city has a history of working well with DOT on highway projects. The city has signed three agreements with the state on I‑91 and I‑95 projects, which have resulted in wins for the city, DeStefano said. Most recently, the state has agreed to put up money for a new boathouse to be built at canal dock.
Redeker (pictured) agreed that the city and DOT have a history of successful collaboration. He said the Exit 46 project will now go forward under a new process to include extensive input for the city and local community groups.
“We did it,” said Chris Randall, head of the New Haven Land Trust.
Other city officials voiced their approval of the new process, including state Sen. Martin Looney, state Rep. Roland Lemar, and Aldermen Jorge Perez and Stephanie Bauer. Also at the press conference was mayoral candidate Jeffrey Kerekes.
Redeker later said that DOT doesn’t have a deadline for completion of a new design for the exit ramp. He said he didn’t know how the unpopular plan went through without more of the collaboration that has characterized DOT and city cooperation on highway work. “To be honest, I’m not sure.”
Randall said he doesn’t know yet what the solution to the problem will be — how to put in a new ramp without encroaching on the preserve. But, he said, he’s looking forward to the process of figuring that out.
This is a great story to read on a Sunday morning and I extend a big thank you to those involved in this move to save the park. I used to enjoy cutting through the area when I lived in City Point years ago, and also avoided it when plovers and other birds were nesting.
Happy Father's Day... and let's take a moment to remember the life of musician Clarence Clenmons who passed last night.