Bill O’Brien Photos
If you haven’t traveled along Brushy Plain Road using the much-maligned Snake Hill, you’re missing all the changes taking place. Reconstruction is progressing, from the widening the road approaching Snake Hill to dynamiting the area near the bottom to improve the water drainage. Here’s the approach from Brushy Plain Road as drivers approach Snake Hill Road.
The section of the road heading toward North Branford is being widened.
ET&L Corporation of Massachusetts was awarded the $6.156 million project, which will be broken down into two separate projects, rock excavation and road construction. The hairpin turn will be eliminated, said ET&L Project Manager Jim Murray, and the road will be reconfigured into a large C. It’s expected to take about two years. Postponed in 2009, the project began in earnest in May.
In the stretch under construction, rocks created by the dynamiting are being crushed and will be used to support the new extended road, which will make it easier and less dangerous to navigate.
Not visible yet this is a view of the new road being added starting at the curve in the current road.
The stretch of road from the water tower toward North Branford has been widened improving the turn onto Brookwood Drive for both drivers entering the road and for drivers behind them as well. Curbing has also been added.
New piping for gas and water has been installed as well.
Improvements to the drainage flow of water to Lidyhites Pond are also being completed
There have been a number of traffic stoppages for work at various sections of the road or for the big trucks moving rock or the stone fill from one area to another. However, police have done a good job getting the traffic flowing evenly.
Directional signs are used during the day to redirect traffic near active work areas
There have also been a few slow downs on Brushy Plain Road at the bottom of Snake Hill, and Totoket Road at the top, but drivers seem to tolerate the minor inconveniences knowing the significance that the end result will bring. It is important that this work be done to improve this major entrance to, and exit from, the town of Branford.
A view of the feared curve coming down Snake Hill.
BCTV/Totoket TV/North Branford
