Connecticut News

[Mergingtraffic]

Nice ramp signs! I'll have to pop off Exit 21 this weekend.

They've been forgotten, me thinks they could eventually be last remaining non-reflective button copy signs in the state in a few years.

[shadyjay]

Them, and the Jct 91 1 1/2 miles sign just past Exit 19 on CT 9NB (no sign replacement for that part of CT 9 in the near future), and then there's this one...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/38245343656/in/datetaken/

which I have no idea which exit its near on I-95, but I know it's escaped death twice.   

[Mergingtraffic]

Them, and the Jct 91 1 1/2 miles sign just past Exit 19 on CT 9NB (no sign replacement for that part of CT 9 in the near future), and then there's this one...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/38245343656/in/datetaken/

which I have no idea which exit its near on I-95, but I know it's escaped death twice.   

It's inside the loop for the 8/25 connector on local streets.  I snapped it last week.  I'm guessing it dates to early 70s when the 8/25 connector opened?  Just think when it was put up there were still original tpke blue signage around. This has escaped the recent signing contract...so maybe this one will be the last remaining NRBC sign.

[shadyjay]

Actually, I've seen random photos here-n-there of what must've been the first generation signage when the 8-25 connector was built and it very well is NRBC.  Since that time, it was replaced with Phase III (RBC), then the most recent incarnation in the mid 00s or so.  I don't know the exact replacement schedule of the original turnpike signage west of New Haven, but the last of such signage was removed in the 1992-93 time frame between Exits 53 & 59.  It's possible that original turnpike signage existed both east and west of Bridgeport and then everything got replaced, Greenwich to New Haven, c mid 1980s.

[Pete from Boston]

Actually, I've seen random photos here-n-there of what must've been the first generation signage when the 8-25 connector was built and it very well is NRBC.  Since that time, it was replaced with Phase III (RBC), then the most recent incarnation in the mid 00s or so.  I don't know the exact replacement schedule of the original turnpike signage west of New Haven, but the last of such signage was removed in the 1992-93 time frame between Exits 53 & 59.  It's possible that original turnpike signage existed both east and west of Bridgeport and then everything got replaced, Greenwich to New Haven, c mid 1980s.

In at least the late 1980s there were blue signs at Honeyspot Rd in Stratford (Exit 31) and Schoolhouse Rd/Bic Drive in Milford (Exit 35).  Possibly Surf Ave in Stratford, as well. There might have been more between Stratford and Orange. It's hard to remember.

[Mergingtraffic]

There was a NEW YORK or SOUTH TURNPIKE (I forget the actual text) sign on US-1 SB at Exit 39 up until 2001 at least. 

[shadyjay]

Driving back north from CT to VT on I-91 on Friday morning, I noticed temporary signs on CT 15 North at the Brainard Road exit.  The temporary signs, which are visible from I-91NB at Exits 27/28, mimic what would be on permanent overheads:  5/15 NORTH/84 EAST LEFT LANES / 91 NB 84 WB RIGHT LANES.  However, it doesn't appear there's a 5 or 15 shield.  At a quick glance, it looked like words within a shield. 

Anyone wishing to check it out and get a pic, here's the approximate location on CT 15:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7350824,-72.6633285,3a,47y,14.59h,82.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5uK1_r9Liwy5pKMtjytS-w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It may be the temporary signs are replacing those that are mounted on the Airport Road overpass in the distance. 

Again, I only saw this from driving overhead on 91NB in a spot that is perpetually known for 1-mile backups due to the ramp at Exit 29.  I was in the far left lane on 91 to avoid the congestion in the other two lanes so the sign went by quick.  But it looked like text inside a shield, not a route number.  Could it say "CHARTER OAK BRIDGE"?  I guess anything is possible, with a temporary sign!

[Mergingtraffic]

I want to say CT stopped using button copy in 1997 or so. CT-15 signage near Hamden dates to that time and was demountable.

[shadyjay]

The WCP got a blanket-wide sign replacement in 2001/2002, with the Merritt Parkway happening about a year later.  Most signs were non-reflective button copy (Phase I) except Whitney Ave (Exit 61) which was reflective button copy.  It's original NRBC having been replaced in the early 90s.  Exits 60 and 64 were both already Phase IV, due to spot projects, but got some mods as part of the blanket project.  So about 1997 sounds right for Exit 60 (Hamden/CT 10).  That must've been the same time signs were replaced east of Vernon on I-84 and south of Cromwell on I-91. 

[jp the roadgeek]

The differences I can think of is that the CT 9 extension to I-84 in 1992 and the completion of I-291 to I-84 in Manchester in 1994 received reflective button copy signage, while the I-84/CT 72 reconstruction project in Plainville/New Britain completed in 2002 received Phase IV signage.  So somewhere in the 1994-2000 window CT moved away from reflective button copy.

[shadyjay]

In 2000, signs were replaced on I-95 from Madison to Waterford and they were Phase IV.  At that point, I-84 from Vernon to Mass. and I-91 from New Haven to Middletown had already been Phase IV and had some years on them.  This was also the first generation of Phase IV, as the service symbols/service bar had not yet been introduced in the state.  We were still dealing with "food/phone/gas/ lodging" being spelled out on a separate sign.  So I'd guess its closer to 1996 when the switch from III to IV occurred.

I-95 from Madison to Waterford was the first road to have the blue service bar, in 2000.  It was also the first road to get aligned exit tabs from Greenwich to Fairfield, in 2009.

[PHLBOS]

Hideous!  How hard can it be to match a correct exit tab?  Isn't there someone responsible for quality control on these projects?

Does ConnDOT really have the budget for quality control anymore?

This was probably a case of the sign installer saying "It's the only EXIT 31 tab we have on the truck.  It'll do for now."  Of course, if ConnDOT wasn't so anal about insisting that HCR and other supplemental signs having separate exit tabs, this sort of thing wouldn't happen in the first place.

Thankgiving weekend observation: there are now supplemental brown signs listing Exit 31 for Lake Compounce Amusement Park (the oldest in the US).  Long overdue IMHO.  In the many years (27 & counting) I've driven the length of I-84 in CT; I've never seen any signage for Lake Compounce.

[jp the roadgeek]

Hideous!  How hard can it be to match a correct exit tab?  Isn't there someone responsible for quality control on these projects?

Does ConnDOT really have the budget for quality control anymore?

This was probably a case of the sign installer saying "It's the only EXIT 31 tab we have on the truck.  It'll do for now."  Of course, if ConnDOT wasn't so anal about insisting that HCR and other supplemental signs having separate exit tabs, this sort of thing wouldn't happen in the first place.

Thankgiving weekend observation: there are now supplemental brown signs listing Exit 31 for Lake Compounce Amusement Park (the oldest in the US).  Long overdue IMHO.  In the many years (27 & counting) I've driven the length of I-84 in CT; I've never seen any signage for Lake Compounce.

The last set of signs had a brown sign that just said AMUSEMENT PARK (seasonal) with no specific reference to Lake Compounce.  It was installed much later (circa 2000) , along with the Little League Complex signage. 

[RobbieL2415]

The button copy signs on CT 15 (WCH)  from Exit 91 to the Berlin Turnpike likely date to the reconstruction of the Charter Oak Bridge in 1991.

All of I-291's button copy is original to the highway's completion to I-84 in 1993/4.  There may have been button copy on old CT 291 before the extension but I'm not sure.

All of I-384's button copy is likely from its re-numbering from I-84 in 1983/4.

The Founder's Bridge renovation and flyover ramp realignment were completed in 1999/2000 and all the signage in the vicinity of the projects was updated to standard reflective signage.

Reflective signage on I-84 from Exit 66 eastward, with a few recent spot replacements, was installed (I'm guessing) in 1997/8.  I am not sure of the vintage of the signage from Exit 65 to Exit 57.  It's non-reflective and likely dates to the "Great Reconstruction" from 1977-1983.  It's the same as the original signs on CT 25, which opened in the early 80s.
But that doesn't explain the signage for Exit 61 (I-291).

[shadyjay]

Exit 61 signage must've been kept "in storage".  There's no other explanation why there'd be that phase of signage installed 10 years later.  Then again, Exit 57-WB received the same type of signage, and that must've been installed about the time the new Charter Oak Bridge opened, when CT 15 became the primary 84WB->91SB connection.

Pre-I-291, there wasn't much for signage on CT 291.  I do remember a sign saying "5 / John Fitch Blvd" on CT 291 EB but don't recall whether it was button copy or not.  It may have just been a sheet aluminum sign. 

All other dates seem about right.

[Pete from Boston]

Was I the only one that heard about the CVS-Aetna merger and thought, "Those fatcats aren't going to stand for crawling along old US 6 between RI and Hartford!"

With public policy more heavily controlled by corporate interests than ever, let's get some leverage going!

[Beeper1]

CVS is headquartered in Woonsocket, so they'll just use 84/90/146 to get between. 

[jp the roadgeek]

Update on the I-84 Exit 30-39A re-signing project: seems all new ground mounted signage has been installed, but none of the overhead signage has been replaced nor has any scheduled for removal been removed.  Also, none of the mile markers have been installed.

Also, saw those new temporary LGS's on CT 15 north near the I-91 junction yesterday.  One says "15 North to 84 East/East Hartford Boston/Keep Left" . The other says "91 North/Hartford Springfield/Keep Right.  They're right by the Airport Rd overpass

[Mergingtraffic]

Update on the I-84 Exit 30-39A re-signing project: seems all new ground mounted signage has been installed, but none of the overhead signage has been replaced nor has any scheduled for removal been removed.  Also, none of the mile markers have been installed.

Also, saw those new temporary LGS's on CT 15 north near the I-91 junction yesterday.  One says "15 North to 84 East/East Hartford Boston/Keep Left" . The other says "91 North/Hartford Springfield/Keep Right.  They're right by the Airport Rd overpass

There's new overhead signage for Exit 29 WB.  Is that the same project or a different one?

[Mergingtraffic]

The Mixmaster I-84/CT-8 interchange rehab went out to bid.
http://www.biznet.ct.gov/scp_search/BidResults.aspx?groupid=64

Lost of detours scheduled and new signage when all is said and done.

I've written the DOT several times to put back the aux lane between Exits 21-22 on I-84 EB  and nothing.  Looking at the plans it looks like it won't be put back afterwards.
The aux lane was there for decades but was taken out a few years ago.  Now it causes a slow down because there isn't enough room for cars to merge from CT-8 to the I-84 EB mainline in time.


https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5516961,-73.0451304,166m/data=!3m1!1e3

[shadyjay]

There's new overhead signage for Exit 29 WB.  Is that the same project or a different one?

Same project.  EB covers Exits 30-39A signage, but WB covers Exit 40-29. 


In related sign news, the list of the 2018 statewide overhead support replacements is out...
http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=2135&Q=599604

It includes existing overhead signs mounted on bridges, as well as truss and "angled support" gantries.  A couple will replace some older signs on I-84 WB in East Hartford, though the "status quo" will probably remain, until a blanket project comes in and replaces the signs again.  So we may see "Charter Oak Br / NY City" on brand new signs, only to get replaced yet again down the road.

[Mergingtraffic]

There's new overhead signage for Exit 29 WB.  Is that the same project or a different one?

Same project.  EB covers Exits 30-39A signage, but WB covers Exit 40-29. 


In related sign news, the list of the 2018 statewide overhead support replacements is out...
http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=2135&Q=599604

It includes existing overhead signs mounted on bridges, as well as truss and "angled support" gantries.  A couple will replace some older signs on I-84 WB in East Hartford, though the "status quo" will probably remain, until a blanket project comes in and replaces the signs again.  So we may see "Charter Oak Br / NY City" on brand new signs, only to get replaced yet again down the road.

The I-84 EB at Exit 58 is a new structure.  Unless they mean the "keep right" sign just a few feet before it?

[kurumi]

I stumbled across the State Highway Mileage doc at ConnDOT. It's not a highway log, but rolls up various stats per district and town. "State mileage" includes US and Interstate routes.

Link: http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/documents/dpolicy/publicroad/statehighwaymileage2016.pdf

Here are some of the leading cities and towns in various categories:
* highest total centerline miles: Colchester, 43.58. I'm sure that was your guess too. But all those routes add up.
* highest total miles of ramps and connectors: Manchester, 30.56. This makes sense given the I-84/384/291 complex, though I didn't think there were 30 miles of these. (But see below.)
* highest total miles of roads, highways and ramps: also Manchester, 60.81.
* highest mileage, 4-lane undivided (or wider): Hamden, 8.99
* one-way roads: New London, 4.11
* highest mileage, 10-lane divided: East Hartford, 1.53, no surprise
* highest mileage, 8-lane divided: Rocky Hill, 3.92.

On second look, why doesn't Windsor (6+ miles of 8-lane I-91) beat Rocky Hill for 8-lane mileage? Answer: ConnDOT must be counting HOV lanes (which are separate from general-purpose lanes) as "ramps and connectors". Windsor has several miles of 6-lane I-91 concurrent with the HOV "connectors." That's why Windsor, East Hartford and Manchester have more than any other city -- they have the HOV lanes. (This is also why the 12-lane section of I-84, really 10+2 HOV, is listed as 10.)

Top city without HOV lanes for turning ramps and connectors: Trumbull, 14.66 miles. (Mainly the 15/8 and 15/25 interchanges.)

You are now all subscribed to Connecticut Facts :-)

[shadyjay]

There's new overhead signage for Exit 29 WB.  Is that the same project or a different one?

Same project.  EB covers Exits 30-39A signage, but WB covers Exit 40-29. 


In related sign news, the list of the 2018 statewide overhead support replacements is out...
http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=2135&Q=599604

It includes existing overhead signs mounted on bridges, as well as truss and "angled support" gantries.  A couple will replace some older signs on I-84 WB in East Hartford, though the "status quo" will probably remain, until a blanket project comes in and replaces the signs again.  So we may see "Charter Oak Br / NY City" on brand new signs, only to get replaced yet again down the road.

The I-84 EB at Exit 58 is a new structure.  Unless they mean the "keep right" sign just a few feet before it?

My guess is they mean I-84 WB at Exit 58.  Signs there are currently mounted on a bridge and there's like 5 of them on that bridge.  Maybe they'll get rid of all but the "exit now" Exit 58 sign, and place that one on a 4-chord side cantilever.  Or maybe it'll be one large 4-chord truss or monotube bridge.


The other error... "I-91 SB 1 Mile before Exit 22 N & 22 S to Rte. 8 North & South".  Obviously, they mean Rte. 9, since I-91 and CT 8 don't intersect.  Let's hope the signs themselves are proofreaded better than their PRs!

[jp the roadgeek]

I would imagine any future sign replacement projects would omit Burnside Avenue from Exit 58 signage, since MUTCD discourages the use of 3 different streets on a BGS.  I never liked Burnside Avenue on that signage anyway; it was a late addition, does not include any US 44 reference, and getting to Burnside Ave involves having to cut over on Hillside St. or Scotland Rd from Roberts St.  That, and a secondary BGS for Exit 60 has 44 West/Burnside Ave anyway.