Forestville is thankful

Forestville Thanksgiving

Forestville is thankful for the Forestville Cemetery because we have a place to bury our dead.

Forestville is thankful for O’Brien Funeral Home which buries our dead.

Forestville is thankful for the dumpster behind Cumberland Farms because it is a good place to bring garbage when you can’t get to the dump.

Forestville is thankful for our railroad tracks which give our teenagers somewhere to go on Saturday nights.

Living on Forestville time

Forestville is thankful for the clock in Central Square which allows us to live on Forestville time.

Forestville is thankful for Route 72, without it we would be a village without a road.

Forestville is also thankful for Pine Lake and the scenery it provides, and the post office for our mail.

Welcome to Forestville

Forestville is thankful for the Forestville Village Association and the wonderful events they sponsor.

Forestville is thankful to Forestville Little League for providing a venue for our kids to play baseball.

Lastly, Forestville is thankful for Manross Library, the Pequabuck River and the fact that we are not part of Plainville.

 

Meet the new Route 72 same as the old Route 72

The view behind Pine Street Plaza looking to Plainville

I finally drove the new 2.2 miles of the new Route 72 from Plainville to Forestville.  There are four lights currently along the new road and with the exception of a small bump at the Plainville end (headed east), it is a smooth ride.  Of course the road is only a month old but in time it will have a healthy supply of environmental effects.

There is still work to be done along Pine Street so the project is not complete.  The foot bridge over the road looks nice at night when illuminated and no doubt this “road” will help the community.  However, I have been hearing about this road my entire life and I happy it is here but I can’t help but wonder: Is that it?

 

Route 72 is Done! Route 72 is Done (Sort of)!

Forestville from the air circa July 2010

Well, well, well.  Route 72 finally opened in Forestville yesterday to rave reviews from politicos and local residents.  Let’s relax people it is only a two and a half mile road.  Several winters from now we will all be complaining about its potholes and traffic snarls.

Work still remains to be done along and beyond Pine Street.

File photo

Fall 2009 from behind the Stop & Shop Plaza on Pine Street

Forestville’s new attraction

Pond at the end of Route 72 looking north

At the west end of the still incomplete Route 72 extension lays Forestville’s newest attraction, a drainage pond.  The body of standing water, filled with mosquitoes, algae, dead trees, and debris from the construction, was created as drainage catch for Pine Lake and the water issues raised as a result of the new construction.

Pond looking northwest

Local government officials do not know if the unnamed pond is a temporary structure or if Forestville residents will be able to enjoy it for decades to come.

Route 72 Graffiti

Looking west below the Forest Street Bridge

The graffiti below the Forest Street Footbridge was recently removed by DOT officials in preparation of the grand opening of the Route 72 extension this August.  No word from local trouble makers when the graffiti will return.

Below is how the bridge appeared in October of 2009.

Below bridge October 2009

Forestville has a new traffic light

Forestville's new traffic light

The village has a new traffic light at the intersection of the still uncompleted Route 72 extension and Pine Street.  The traffic light has three distinct colors: Red for stop, yellow for caution and green for go.  It is expected that when the traffic light is illuminated motorists will exit Route 72 in a safe manner.

A local resident who wished not to be identified was happy about the new light, “This is just what Forestville needs.  I can’t wait to stop at the light.”

Another Route 72 Update

Road Closed, Route 72 Intersection in Background

The work on State Project No. 17-137, Route 72 Relocation, will continue on through to the New Year. 

According to a recent DOT press release, since November 6^th, Bohemia Street in Plainville has been closed to through traffic so the intersection of Route 72 and Forestville Avenue can be realigned.

No date is set for the opening of the road.

Also, a retaining wall is being built between Riverside Avenue, and the Pequabuck River.

Possible Drainage Issue with Route 72

Route 72 looking west to Lincoln Avenue

These photos were taken this morning of Route 72 looking west to Lincoln Avenue (behind the Stop & Shop). Notice the leaves blocking the drain? That can’t be good. Following last night’s rain storm there is two inches of standing water.

Close up view

Route 72 Update: Uncompleted Route 72 Extension has graffiti

Looking west below the bridge

Well, it only took a year but the still uncompleted Route 72 Extension has graffiti on the Forest Street Footbridge. 

I was there almost one year ago and there was not even a scribble.  Today it is riddled with all sorts of foul language.

On second thought it is not graffiti. It is vandalism.

Forestville has a new bump in the road

Forestville's new bump

This is for Solomon Weeks who says I never report on road and travel news.

Due to the Route 72 road construction Forestville has a new bump, depending on weather you are leaving or entering the village on East Main Street.  You can’t miss it because there are signs along the side of the road in both directions (east and west) warning the traveler of the bump. 

 Solomon, are you happy?

The bump has a road sign