New Haven Independent

Posted by: anon | July 22, 2008 1:10 PM

The majority of thhe state's 2007-2010 transportation expenditures go towards expanding highways, with projects like this one. Less than 1% goes towards pedestrian and bicycle projects. Anyone sense a problem with that?

Posted by: soulaminah | July 22, 2008 1:16 PM

if the highway is widened another lane on both sides, that means that some houses will literally have the highway in their yard- - probably 20 feet from their houses. can they really do this?

city point is a neighborhood that is doing well and i would hope that the city would want to preserve that- - and the stable tax base that provides. i, too, saw the butchered tree stumops it really was unbelieveable. i hope the city takes note!

Posted by: joey | July 22, 2008 1:38 PM

And they will be the first to complain about traffic on the high way!

Posted by: christine | July 22, 2008 2:01 PM

I find this ironic since the state is suing a billboard company for clear cutting trees near I-84 in Waterbury.

Check out that story here

Posted by: DingDong | July 22, 2008 2:26 PM

Virtually any traffic engineer who was trained in the last ten years would tell you that widening Connecticut's highways, in 95% of cases, will not reduce traffic congestion.

It will only cause more cars to use the highway.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 22, 2008 2:47 PM

I am so sorry for this terrible thing. At this point you can not save the trees. But can you insist on the sound barrier with some tree planted on the park side of it. In my area we are trying to get one up and it is a fight and a half. I know in Mike Smarts ward it took years to get them. But this is new construction. they should be able to do it at a lower cost during the construction of the wall?

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | July 22, 2008 2:47 PM

Can't believe that there was not one person at city hall that did not know this was going to happen, and try to intervene. Where is the Park and RecDepartment in all of this?

Posted by: PowertothePeople | July 22, 2008 4:38 PM

This was done by the state not the city. The state hardly ever lets a city in on their plans to this detail.

I think we're getting the city on board with conservation and traffic calming. State DOT is another story. ALL they think about is cars as if that is the only means of transportation.

Posted by: pedro | July 22, 2008 4:45 PM

Somewhere online (and featured on the independent) were the plans that eventually led to this happening. The new entry and exit ramps for Sargent Drive and Long Wharf Drive are significantly closer to the overpass. they aren't really widening the roads, they are moving the entrance and exits to at least on the map looks like more logical locations. The realignment of I95 in that area should hopefully make futher developement feasible for the rest of the Long Wharf area since this gets the highway exits out of the way. The major downside is the fact that people who were out of the highway's way are now going to be significantly closer to it, which is very disappointing. I hope they do decide to put up highway noise barriers!

I agree with anon that we need to spend a ton more money on transit and pedestrian improvements, but, as with situations like Whalley, existing roads should be improved and not left to remain the problems they have long since been.

Posted by: Kris | July 22, 2008 5:17 PM

Our neighbors young and old alike are stunned - nothing readied us for this clear cutting of indiginious and non-indiginous trees.For over 50 years or more these trees had shaded Bayview Parks walkway - and were of themselves sound barriers - they took in pollutants and produced oxygen and had even acted as safety buffers, stopping out of control vehicles from I-95 - from crashing into Bayview Park and injuring or killing our children at play.
I don't really know what else can be said - the damage is done the trees are down -
For those of you who knew our Park ------
Remember please how beautiful Bayview was -
The Park Celebrations
The Graduations
The Weddings
The Family Reunions
and Community Gatherings
Remember the asset it's been for the community-
Be thankful that its been a positive part of your life experience and Remember.

Posted by: Former Resident | July 22, 2008 6:36 PM

Thanks to a close friend and previous neighbor, Kristine (yes, mentioned above in the article), I was able to hear about this. I am, to say the least, appalled at the actions of the DOT.

What happened to the 'Elm City'?? I understand that not all of the trees were elms however trees do still provide oxygen to a city that is in dire need. Common', right next to a highway?? New Haven is the armpit of New England... a cesspool for NE's pollution. Quite the oxymoron if you ask me.

My family and I have very fond memories of Bayview. From our son playing in the park to it's annual celebrations. My father planted his heart and soul into that park - - quite literally might I add.

The park was designed around the shade from the old trees. From it's curving path to the beautiful new benches. Good luck if you plan to visit the park in the summer now... you won't have a place to sit quietly, let alone in the cool shade that the trees would provide. You had a natural sound barrier too!

Do any of you remember a while back when an 18-wheeler went bounding from the highway into the park?? The only thing keeping that truck from hitting the children playing is one of those old trees that is no longer standing thanks to this wonderful department.

For fedupwithliberals: Do you really want to know where the Park Dept. is? The state cut 50% of their jobs with the budget cut. I highly doubt that the Mayor's office would really know anything about this.

SOMEONE should, and needs to be held accountable. Why did the immediate community have no forewarning? No notification? Because the DOT is a Federal-run agency and henseforth don't feel the need to report to anyone?

There are NO excuses for this!

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | July 22, 2008 8:52 PM

Former Resident,

I was being rhetorical when I asked about the Park & Rec Dept. Has nothing to do with the state. That is a city responsibility, and the dept has been gutted to free up funds that go to political black holes like education, illegals and do nothing patronage jobs (i.e. Brian McGrath).

Even the so called "Green" candidates are nowhere when it comes to fighting for existing trees and having them pruned and maintained around the city. What a joke!

Posted by: Chris Randall | July 22, 2008 10:21 PM

What bothers me the most about this is the complete disregard that the DOT showed towards the feelings of the community itself. It is understandable that I95 needs major work to alleviate the almost unbearable traffic, but not to include the community that these decisions affect is extremely arrogant. At least the city generally posts notification of a trees imminent removal along with an avenue to voice objections.

What bothers me ALMOST as much is the DOT's complete disregard for the value of the living and breathing trees that they killed in the name of progress and expansion. These trees were a part of the fabric of the community in so many ways.

So now we get to look at cars, and with a bigger highway, we'll get to see more cars. More cars and more pollution, more particulate matter, more asthma. When you add fewer trees into the equation, the axes that cut them down become double headed.

Posted by: Zach | July 23, 2008 12:16 AM

Look... I am all for having nice, mature trees and having plenty of parks in New Haven. After all, it is the Elm City. But lets be reasonable. When debating about cutting down a few trees too widening the most congested highway in the world, it shouldn't be very difficult to decide which option makes the most sense. It is our highways that run America and in the fourth densely populated state in our dear nation, the wider the better. Sure the view from the park wont be as nice but I think having a safer, "more efficient" highway should take priority over a few old trees. Disagree if you must... I know most of you will.

Posted by: Former Resident | July 23, 2008 8:03 AM

fedupwithliberalls: Thank you, being rhetorical produces my sarcasm over the situation.

Overall, I'm still disheartened with the whole situation.

Posted by: nina | July 23, 2008 8:12 AM

to zach:

the problem was it was not a few trees, it was dozens and not only in the park also along city streets and even on people's property. the pictures in this article do not accurately capture what happened.

Posted by: Ali | July 23, 2008 9:38 AM

This is really, really a shame. Unfortunately it sounds like the trees weren't on park/city property and all of their benefits were "borrowed". What would have been nice is if in planning the DOT could have notified someone (who I don't know) and new trees could have been planted within the park. Obviously leaving the trees is ideal but at least some kind of amelioration could have been done. Most of these DOT projects are planned many years in advance and some replacement trees could have already been growing for 5 years at least. Better than the nothing there is now.

Posted by: Carole | July 23, 2008 12:35 PM

Zach,

Bigger roads = more traffic. See Dingdong's comment above.

Lots of roads need improving, and this might be a good project -- I don't know. But in general, widening highways is like feeding teenagers: The more food you buy, the more they will eat!

Posted by: anon | July 23, 2008 12:54 PM

Good point Carole. Interesting piece here: http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/22/highway-funding-the-last-bastion-of-socialism-in-america/

Posted by: Emily | July 24, 2008 10:48 AM

My husband and I are new homeowners in City Point and were extremely sad to wake up and see the Bayview Park clear-cut by the City. City Point is a wonderful gem of New Haven. It is one of the last remaining waterfront communities in New Haven and has a rich history.

It's critical for the City to maintain and cherish neighborhoods and other historic areas in New Haven.

As the City of New Haven spends countless dollars marketing the city with festivals on the green, travel and tourist packages and tennis tournaments they must remember that neighborhoods like City Point are the reason that people decide to move to New Haven.

Without retaining the unique identity of each New Haven neighborhood, there will be little value left in this City.

Thank you to everyone on the blog who has spoken out against this terrible act and I hope together we as New Haven residents can maintain the diversity and charm of every New Haven neighborhood. Continue to speak out about the destruction of our unique New Haven neighborhoods.

Posted by: Former Resident | July 24, 2008 11:24 AM

Well written, Emily and welcome to the neighborhood. Although we no longer live in the City Point area, our hearts are still there.

I hope that despite this unwelcome happening, you continue to cherish where you now are.

Posted by: anotherformerres | July 24, 2008 1:47 PM

I used to live in City Point, but I don't any more. And the reason why I don't is because on day in November of 2001, the DOT came in with their maps and on those maps there was a big red X on my house. I was not notified of this happening and at the time I had a five-year-old and and 5-month-old. Every once and a while I drive by, and my former house is still standing there, though looking so alone and shrunken. I do live in a similar neighborhood now, but just the way the government does this is just odd at best.