Norwich ― The controversial proposed reconstruction of Route 82-West Main Street will dominate Tuesday’s City Council meeting, beginning with a presentation by state officials on the project that would create six roundabouts in a little over a mile stretch.

The DOT is also asking the City Council to approve two resolutions authorizing City Manager John Salomone to sign agreements to have the city take over regular maintenance of the sidewalks, centers of the roundabouts, lights and bus stops, and to convert a short private road into a public street.

Norwich city Comptroller Josh Pothier provided the City Council with estimates of the city’s costs after the project is completed. The city Public Works Department estimated it would cost about $4,000 per year to maintain sidewalks, landscaping and the bike lanes. Costs to replace city electric, water, sewer and gas lines varied. NPU reported the project would accelerate plans to replace electric, gas and sewer lines by 10 to 20 years. Moving electric lines underground would cost $10.6 million, while replacing above-ground lines would cost $2.8 million.

Replacing the 100-year-old, “highly brittle” water lines is most critical, the report said and would cost an estimated $8 million, with the project accelerating the work by five to 10 years.

A staunch opponent of the plan, Republican Mayor Peter Nystrom now sees the standard request from the state Department of Transportation that the city take responsibility for the improvements once completed as a chance to take a strong city stand against the project, and perhaps kill it.

Nystrom called the project “government overreach” and an “experiment,” asking Norwich to be the state’s “guinea pig” for a project with six proposed roundabouts in just over a mile of roadway.

Nystrom is urging residents to attend Tuesday’s council meeting and express their views during public comment. The DOT will give a presentation to the council at 7 p.m., and the council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Kelly Middle School auditorium.

But Democratic Council President Joseph DeLucia said the mayor’s stance is short-sighted. DeLucia acknowledged the economic hardships that would come during construction for the Route 82 businesses but said the long-term safety improvements are critical. The project also would give the city “a beautiful entryway boulevard,” with the potential for public art and rose bushes, the city symbol, at each of the proposed roundabouts.

“I am in favor,” DeLucia said. “In the long run, this will make the road much safer. It’s called ‘Crash Alley’ for a reason. Speeds will be lower, but travel times would be less.”

The DOT has divided the project into two phases. The $20 million first phase runs from Asylum Street to Dunham Street, with planned roundabouts at Asylum Street, Dunham and Osgood streets. The roadway would have one lane in each direction, a median divider to prevent left turns and a 5-foot-wide bicycle lane. Three existing traffic lights would be eliminated.

The $25 million second phase would continue to an area past New London Turnpike with three additional roundabouts and a median divider.

Two resolutions relating to the project are on Tuesday’s council agenda for votes. First is a request for the council to authorize City Manager John Salomone to sign a Project Authorization Letter, agreeing that the city would take over maintenance of certain aspects of the completed project.

A second request is for the city to approve the conversion of the short, private Crane Avenue into a public road. The road is located at the proposed roundabout at Osgood Street and would become the primary entrance into the Westgate Shopping Center on one side, the Goldblatt, Bokoff & Co. accounting office on the other side, and an address at 6 Crane Ave.

DOT project officials gave a presentation to the council Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee Aug. 15 on the requests. DeLucia chairs the committee. He and Democratic Alderman Swaranjit Singh Khalsa voted to pass along a favorable recommendation to approve the two resolutions, while Republican Alderwoman Stacy Gould voted against the recommendation. DeLucia and Khalsa are sponsoring the two resolutions to be considered Tuesday.

The maintenance resolution states: “Upon completion of the construction project Norwich shall assume full responsibility for all liability, maintenance, repairs and rehabilitation of the sidewalk, bicycle lane, bus stop signage, and bus shelter constructed within the project limits as well as full responsibility for all landscaping within the project limits and all lighting within the limits of the project including energy costs, and will be responsible for snow and ice removal on the sidewalk.”

Nystrom said the DOT has not yet responded to the city’s own request that DOT pay to upgrade the Norwich Public Utilities aged water and sewer lines beneath the Route 82 roadway during construction, with the fear that construction could damage the lines and lead to breaks and leaks.

A nearly 100-year-old water main broke on June 27 at the Osgood Street intersection, where one roundabout is proposed, closing Route 82 for several hours during repairs.

Nystrom also said the city cannot afford the anticipated hit to the city tax base the project would create by displacing several businesses at the roundabouts intersections and the expected loss of some businesses, as customers shun the area due to construction.

DeLucia acknowledged those hardships but said the city does not need to lose any businesses along Route 82.

“There are 16 vacant properties between Asylum Street and the I-395 on ramp, so there are plenty of opportunities for businesses being displaced to be relocated,” DeLucia said. “I think the city should take a more proactive role in helping the businesses relocate ahead of the construction.”

c.bessette@theday.com