Derby Greenway Phase III

Revised Plans

By Sheila O'Malley - Economic Development Director

The project has been a bit complicated so I will try to pare it down to the essentials. Originally, the CT Department of Transportation required a full scale design to connect our trail with Orange.  Unfortunately, this design and the eventual construction ended up being too costly for the amount of funds we have. The Mayor was insistent that this project would be primarily for construction and not for design alone. 

With the encouragement and promise from DOT that this would move in an expeditious fashion, we are proceeding instead with a complete loop on the north half of O’Sullivan’s Island (a bid alternate from our Greenway Phase II) and will include an additional loop path to the south of the existing path and spurs. This will create one continuous greenway path. An inlet bridge, pavilion, gateway features, a four foot wide soft shoulder adjacent to the existing and proposed trails for jogging may also be included. DOT and their consultants, VHB have proposed an aggressive schedule that puts us at construction of the loops beginning in August.

The story below was part of the original Phase 3 Planning:

A First Look

The firm of DeCarlo & Doll has completed a preliminary report for the Derby Greenway Phase III Committee with a focus on how the trail will eventually connect O'Sullivan's Island with East Derby. The long range plan is to extend the Greenway down along the east bank of the Housatonic River as far as Orange.

They have developed a number of concepts for the committee to evaluate as they continue the planning process. Several options will need to be explored, but here are a couple of preliminary drawings to help visualize the type of structure that will eventually be built across the Naugatuck River in the area near the historic railroad trestle.

The pedestrian footbridge

The area where a bridge will be constructed linking the existing trail on O'Sullivan's Island with the east side of town. The existing railroad trestle is on the right side of the picture. The confluence of the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers is on the left side.