'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Ousatonic Dam collapse of 1891

Turnback Tuesday visits the Ousatonic Dam break of January 23, 1891.

The Ousatonic Dam located on the Housatonic River between Derby (Birmingham) and Shelton collapsed due to an extreme increase in the water level.

Because of the vertical drop of the dam, the force and amount of water falling over it undermined the footings, causing most of the dam to be washed away.

The Derby gate house also fell into the river. This image was taken from the Shelton side of the river looking towards Derby.

The Derby Public Library has more images of the damage and reconstruction on display in its front atrium.

Thanks goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Meeting slated Feb. 17 on Route 34 widening project

 

State Street reconstruction in Ansonia postponed

From the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the reconstruction and removal of grate on State Street has been postponed until further notice. 
We are hopeful this delay will only be a couple of weeks.

Ansonia slates meeting on Wakelee Avenue reconstruction

*Information shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ansonia's Wakelee Avenue to get major facelift

City receives $3.5M state grant 
Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti announces 'Wake Up Wakelee!' initiative Tuesday morning outside Lear Pharmacy on Wakelee Avenue.

ANSONIA - Wakelee Avenue, a major thoroughfare on the city’s West Side, will soon receive a $3.5 million upgrade.

Mayor David S. Cassetti Tuesday announced the city’s Wake Up Wakelee! initiative, which will mean a complete reconstruct of a mile of Wakelee Avenue. 

The project will stretch from Division Street to Franklin Street.

The city received a $3.54 million grant from the state Department of Transportation for the reconstruction. The work will include new concrete curbing, curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveway aprons, pavement markings, drainage structures/pipes and utility pole relocation.

Cassetti held a press conference in front of Lear Pharmacy at 198 Wakelee Ave. to make the announcement. Republican Fifth Ward Alderman Joan Radin owns Lear Pharmacy.

Cassetti said, “Wakelee Avenue is a major artery for the City of Ansonia that has been neglected for too long. The pavement is in poor condition, the sidewalks are intermittent and in disrepair and there is a lack of adequate drainage. I am pleased that ConnDOT has granted us the funding for this project.

“With this initiative to ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ we will breathe new life in both the street and its surrounding neighborhoods. This is one more major victory for the City of Ansonia,” he said.

The construction phase will be paid for by DOT funds, while the city will be responsible for paying design fees, Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley said. The city hopes to start construction in the fall, she said.

“The ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ initiative is part of an overall plan to help improve the look and feel of Ansonia. It’s a significant step forward for our residents and the myriad businesses that line Wakelee Avenue,” O’Malley said.

“Infrastructure means everything to economic development,” she said. “The infrastructure has been sorely neglected.”

There are about 50 businesses located along Wakelee Avenue.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell hailed the plan. He called Wakelee Avenue “a beautiful street and a vital corridor.”

Radin said the reconstruction project “means a lot for this area. We get more traffic than Main Street.”

Ansonia's Wakelee Avenue to get major facelift

City receives $3.5M state grant 
Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti announces 'Wake Up Wakelee!' initiative Tuesday morning outside Lear Pharmacy on Wakelee Avenue.

ANSONIA - Wakelee Avenue, a major thoroughfare on the city’s West Side, will soon receive a $3.5 million upgrade.

Mayor David S. Cassetti Tuesday announced the city’s Wake Up Wakelee! initiative, which will mean a complete reconstruct of a mile of Wakelee Avenue. 

The project will stretch from Division Street to Franklin Street.

The city received a $3.54 million grant from the state Department of Transportation for the reconstruction. The work will include new concrete curbing, curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveway aprons, pavement markings, drainage structures/pipes and utility pole relocation.

Cassetti held a press conference in front of Lear Pharmacy at 198 Wakelee Ave. to make the announcement. Republican Fifth Ward Alderman Joan Radin owns Lear Pharmacy.

Cassetti said, “Wakelee Avenue is a major artery for the City of Ansonia that has been neglected for too long. The pavement is in poor condition, the sidewalks are intermittent and in disrepair and there is a lack of adequate drainage. I am pleased that ConnDOT has granted us the funding for this project.

“With this initiative to ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ we will breathe new life in both the street and its surrounding neighborhoods. This is one more major victory for the City of Ansonia,” he said.

The construction phase will be paid for by DOT funds, while the city will be responsible for paying design fees, Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley said. The city hopes to start construction in the fall, she said.

“The ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ initiative is part of an overall plan to help improve the look and feel of Ansonia. It’s a significant step forward for our residents and the myriad businesses that line Wakelee Avenue,” O’Malley said.

“Infrastructure means everything to economic development,” she said. “The infrastructure has been sorely neglected.”

There are about 50 businesses located along Wakelee Avenue.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell hailed the plan. He called Wakelee Avenue “a beautiful street and a vital corridor.”

Radin said the reconstruction project “means a lot for this area. We get more traffic than Main Street.”

Ansonia mayor announces $3.5M Wakelee Avenue project

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti announces 'Wake Up Wakelee!' initiative Tuesday morning outside Lear Pharmacy on Wakelee Avenue.


Stay tuned for more information on the reconstruction project.