Politics & Government

Much of Thames Street Feels Like Brand New!

The voter-blessed Thames Street rehab project is two-thirds complete and it is pretty awesome. Celebrate Thames Street this holiday season, Mayor Galbraith asks.

You know how a fresh jar of peanut butter looks really smooth? Driving on the newly rebuilt Thames Street feels like that: smooth.

In May, 2011, Groton voters approved a $6,375,000 bond issue to fund the Thames Street renovations. And if you ask William E. Lewis, City Highway Department Project Engineer, and the City’s contact for the project, he’ll tell you so far, it’s money very well spent.

Phases I and II of the project are complete: A full depth reconstruction from Bridge Street to Puffins parking lot and the milling and paving from the Puffins parking lot to the City of Groton Pollution Abatement Facility (PAF). Phase II will begin this spring and includes a full-depth construction from the PAF to Eastern Point Road. Full-depth construction entails the installation of new curbing, sidewalks, storm drainage and paving.                    

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The project contract calls for a construction schedule of 270 calendar days or one (1) year. The project schedule includes a winter shutdown from November to March.

B&W Paving and Landscaping of Waterford is the project contractor. 

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Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith said she’s aware the construction hurt business, but the plan is to decorate Thames Street with plenty of holiday lights and displays to draw folks to the “new” Thames Street to visit old and new business alike.

“I know it’s been hard. I know that there’s been a decrease in business,” she said as she stood in a steady rain Friday morning. “We need to get people back to Thames.”


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