Connecticut News

[PHLBOS]

As for my use of "Exit 106"...just a personal preference for unnumbered exits. 

That's just it, this stretch of US 6 is not an expressway/freeway; so its intersections, whether such resemble interchange ramps or not, are not numbered. 

[AMLNet49]

As for my use of "Exit 106"...just a personal preference for unnumbered exits. 

That's just it, this stretch of US 6 is not an expressway/freeway; so its intersections, whether such resemble interchange ramps or not, are not numbered.

Under proper mileage-based numbering they should be numbered. However, no such proposals were made during the proposed conversion to mileage-based exits. This seems to indicate that with all of the difficulty getting the Cape to accept the new numbers, it wasn't considered worth the potential PR hassle to throw a couple of random 3-digit exit numbers on an otherwise numberless stretch of US 6.

[PHLBOS]

As for my use of "Exit 106"...just a personal preference for unnumbered exits. 

That's just it, this stretch of US 6 is not an expressway/freeway; so its intersections, whether such resemble interchange ramps or not, are not numbered.

Under proper mileage-based numbering they should be numbered.

This is way OT but, US 6 in MA let alone Cape Cod isn't just the Mid-Cape Highway.  If one numbers the intersections east/north of the Mid-Cape Highway; the same would apply for the non-freeway/expressway stretches west of such along the MA mainland... would such not?

Aside from the rogue 1962-era* intersection numbering of MA 128 in Gloucester/Cape Ann (Exits 11, 10 & 9); there's no other roadway in MA I'm aware that formally numbers its intersections as interchanges.  I don't believe such is done in CT... the main focus/topic of this thread.

*Prior to 1962, MA 128's sequential interchange numbering started at MA 127/Grant Circle (current Exit 11/Old Exit 1) and increased heading south/west.  The change from 1 to 11 was in anticipation of a possible & ill-advised plan to extend the highway further east into Cape Ann that never materialized.

[jp the roadgeek]

I figured the last numbered exit on Route 6 would be Exit 89 just before the Orleans rotary.  If we were to number intersections east of there, then we would need to number ramps on roads like US 20 and MA 9 between Worcester and Boston, the US 202 mini-freeway section between Holyoke and South Hadley, and MA 79 in Fall River.  The equivalent of this in CT would be numbering the exits on the Berlin Turnpike.  The missing exits 69-84 (future 67-78) were planned as part of a Parkway extension that never came to be.  Nowadays, the only intersections I could see getting numbers are the CT 9 and CT 175 junctions, and the CT 314 exit to continue on the turnpike.  In MA, the roads with unnumbered exits that should be numbered are the US 1 limited access portion between I-93 and Revere, MA 1A from I-93 to MA 145, US 5 from I-91/MA 83 to US 20, MA 57 in Agawam, and the 2 Greenfield exits on MA 2 (MA 2 West to I-91 North, and US 5/MA 10).

[Ben114]

then we would need to number ramps on roads like US 20 and MA 9 between Worcester and Boston

If these were to be numbered with mileage based exits, here they are.
MA 9
MA 140 - exit 101
US 20 - exit 103
MA 135 - exit 105
MA 30 - exit 107
Computer Dr / Research Dr - exit 108
I-495 - exit 109
MA 85 - exit 111
to MA 30 - exit 112
I-90 - exit 113
MA 30 west (west end of concurrency) - exit 116
MA 30 east (east end of concurrency)  / to MA 126 - exit 117
Speen St - exit 118
MA 27 - exit 119
Weston Rd - exit 122
MA 16 - exit 124
Cedar St - exit 125
I-95 - exit 126
Chestnut St - exit 126
Centre St - exit 127
Parker St - exit 128
Hammond Pond Pkwy - exit 129

US 20
MA 12 - exit 107
I-395 / I-290 - exit 108
MA 146 / I-90 - exit 112
MA 122 - exit 115
MA 140 - exit 117
MA 9 - exit 120
MA 135 - exit 123
I-495 - exit 127
MA 85 - exit 129
MA 27 / MA 126 - exit 139
I-95 - exit 144

[Beeper1]

I figured the last numbered exit on Route 6 would be Exit 89 just before the Orleans rotary.  If we were to number intersections east of there, then we would need to number ramps on roads like US 20 and MA 9 between Worcester and Boston, the US 202 mini-freeway section between Holyoke and South Hadley, and MA 79 in Fall River.  The equivalent of this in CT would be numbering the exits on the Berlin Turnpike.  The missing exits 69-84 (future 67-78) were planned as part of a Parkway extension that never came to be.  Nowadays, the only intersections I could see getting numbers are the CT 9 and CT 175 junctions, and the CT 314 exit to continue on the turnpike.  In MA, the roads with unnumbered exits that should be numbered are the US 1 limited access portion between I-93 and Revere, MA 1A from I-93 to MA 145, US 5 from I-91/MA 83 to US 20, MA 57 in Agawam, and the 2 Greenfield exits on MA 2 (MA 2 West to I-91 North, and US 5/MA 10).

Also the short MA-116 freeway north of MA-9 in Hadley/Amherst.

[Rothman]

I figured the last numbered exit on Route 6 would be Exit 89 just before the Orleans rotary.  If we were to number intersections east of there, then we would need to number ramps on roads like US 20 and MA 9 between Worcester and Boston, the US 202 mini-freeway section between Holyoke and South Hadley, and MA 79 in Fall River.  The equivalent of this in CT would be numbering the exits on the Berlin Turnpike.  The missing exits 69-84 (future 67-78) were planned as part of a Parkway extension that never came to be.  Nowadays, the only intersections I could see getting numbers are the CT 9 and CT 175 junctions, and the CT 314 exit to continue on the turnpike.  In MA, the roads with unnumbered exits that should be numbered are the US 1 limited access portion between I-93 and Revere, MA 1A from I-93 to MA 145, US 5 from I-91/MA 83 to US 20, MA 57 in Agawam, and the 2 Greenfield exits on MA 2 (MA 2 West to I-91 North, and US 5/MA 10).

Also the short MA-116 freeway north of MA-9 in Hadley/Amherst.

And the consequences of not numbering the sole exit for UMass would be...?

[jp the roadgeek]

So if you want the exits for the highways that I suggested

US 1
Exit 47 (SB ONLY): Rutherford St Charlestown//TO I-93 North
Exit 49 (NB ONLY): Beacon St
Exit 50: Fourth St (NB); Carter Ave Chelsea/East Boston (SB)
Exit 51A (NB): Webster Ave Chelsea/Everett
Exit 51B (NB): MA 16 EAST TO MA 1A Revere Beach/Lynn
Exit 51 (SB): MA 16 WEST Everett/Somerville
Exit 52 (NB ONLY): Sargent St West Revere
Exit 53: MA 60 Malden/Revere
Exit 54 A/B: Lynn St Saugus/Malden

MA 1A
Exit 49: Havre St (NB); Porter St (SB) East Boston
Exit 50A: Logan Airport (NB); I-90 (Mass Pike) WEST TO I-93 SOUTH Ted Williams Tunnel/South Boston (Logan is I-90 Exit 137)
Exit 50B: MA 145 NORTH Bennington  St (NB); Saratoga St/Chelsea St (SB)


MA 2 in Greenfield:
Exit 50A (WB ONLY): I-91 NORTH Brattleboro
Exit 50 (B WB): US 5/MA 10 Greenfield/Bernardston

US 5:
Exit 3A (SB ONLY): MA 83 SOUTH East Longmeadow
Exit 3B (SB ONLY): I-91 NORTH Holyoke/Greenfield
Exit 4: MA 57 WEST Agawam/Southwick
Exit 5: MA 147 WEST Memorial Ave
Exit 7: US 20 Westfield/Springfield

MA 57:
Exit 41 (WB ONLY): Garden St
Exit 42 (WB ONLY): Mill St WEST Feeding Hills
Exit 43: MA 75 West Springfield/Suffield CT
Exit 44 B/A (WB ONLY) : MA 159 NORTH West Springfield; MA 159 SOUTH Agawam Center/Windsor Locks CT
Exit 45: US 5 SOUTH TO I-91 Springfield/Hartford CT (EB); Editha Ave (WB)

[DJ Particle]

Oh jeez....I didn't intend to turn this into another "Massachusetts" thread!   

[jp the roadgeek]

I'll steer it back to CT.  The new sign is probably being hung as I type.

[bob7374]

So if you want the exits for the highways that I suggested

US 1
Exit 47 (SB ONLY): Rutherford St Charlestown//TO I-93 North
Exit 49 (NB ONLY): Beacon St
Exit 50: Fourth St (NB); Carter Ave Chelsea/East Boston (SB)
Exit 51A (NB): Webster Ave Chelsea/Everett
Exit 51B (NB): MA 16 EAST TO MA 1A Revere Beach/Lynn
Exit 51 (SB): MA 16 WEST Everett/Somerville
Exit 52 (NB ONLY): Sargent St West Revere
Exit 53: MA 60 Malden/Revere
Exit 54 A/B: Lynn St Saugus/Malden

MA 1A
Exit 49: Havre St (NB); Porter St (SB) East Boston
Exit 50A: Logan Airport (NB); I-90 (Mass Pike) WEST TO I-93 SOUTH Ted Williams Tunnel/South Boston (Logan is I-90 Exit 137)
Exit 50B: MA 145 NORTH Bennington  St (NB); Saratoga St/Chelsea St (SB)


MA 2 in Greenfield:
Exit 50A (WB ONLY): I-91 NORTH Brattleboro
Exit 50 (B WB): US 5/MA 10 Greenfield/Bernardston

US 5:
Exit 3A (SB ONLY): MA 83 SOUTH East Longmeadow
Exit 3B (SB ONLY): I-91 NORTH Holyoke/Greenfield
Exit 4: MA 57 WEST Agawam/Southwick
Exit 5: MA 147 WEST Memorial Ave
Exit 7: US 20 Westfield/Springfield

MA 57:
Exit 41 (WB ONLY): Garden St
Exit 42 (WB ONLY): Mill St WEST Feeding Hills
Exit 43: MA 75 West Springfield/Suffield CT
Exit 44 B/A (WB ONLY) : MA 159 NORTH West Springfield; MA 159 SOUTH Agawam Center/Windsor Locks CT
Exit 45: US 5 SOUTH TO I-91 Springfield/Hartford CT (EB); Editha Ave (WB)

Of the above, only MA 57 was considered for exit numbers under the postponed milepost exit number conversion project, the numbers are mostly the same as above, and are still posted on my MA 57 Exit List:
http://www.malmeroads.net/mass21c/MA25213exits.html#mass57

[robby2161]

Seems that the contractor(s) CT is using to paint road markings in District 3 is really off.  Crooked centerlines, poor use of space at intersections with turn lanes, bad geometry, and inconsistent lane widths are all common around here, after recent resurfacing projects.  I have a collection of pictures I will share when I pull them from my external later.

For now, check out this egregious example of the ramp from US-7 south to CT-15 south.  The Connector (US-7) bends to the left slightly before the ramp begins.  When the exit lane does begin, instead of paralleling the curb to the right like it used to, the ramp bends left with US-7 into what should be the exit gore point, then abruptly shifts right.

It's a huge pet peeve of mine, and also happens on the CT-15 north to US-7 north ramp.  It's even more of a nuisance there because the contractor started the rumble strip far too early, forcing you to merge into traffic prematurely!

Can anyone shed light on why this is so poorly done?  I know CT is broke but come on..

[shadyjay]

While on the topic of lane markings, I did notice where SSR 695 meets I-395 SB in Plainfield, the lane markings have been changed to favor I-395.  Previously, I-395's right end ended just past the merge, so thru traffic had to move over one lane left.  Now, traffic entering I-395 SB from SSR 695 (from US 6 West from RI) has to merge over to the right, instead of an entrance lane becoming the I-395 fast lane.  This was a holdover from when the Connecticut Turnpike was the thru route.  Its not a huge problem with the new setup, but kind of caught me off guard as I was coming west from RI and entering I-395.  I had to merge over to the right, as my lane now ends.  No widening/road reconfiguration was required... just a mere restriping.

[jp the roadgeek]

Sure enough (and they even took down the old gantry too):
[/url]

[Mergingtraffic]

My big issue is when you have 2-lanes going to three exclusive turn lanes at a signal. CT always tends to stripe the option lane to favor the movement with less traffic forcing most drivers to merge into another lane.

For example if two lanes transition into two exclusive right turn lanes and one exclusive left turn lane (most vehicles turn right at this location) you'd think the left lane would be an option lane so cars can either use the left turn lane or the leftern most right turn lane w/o having to "change lanes"  (cross over the center line)

CTDOT will have the right lane be the option lane for both exclusive right turn lanes. So card in the left lane wishing to turn right have to cross over the line to turn right which creates confusion and queues.

Think CT-34 EB at the CT-115 intersection in Derby. And CT-34 WB at the end of Frontage Rd turning right into CT-10/CT-34 multiplex in New Haven.

[Mergingtraffic]

Oh jeez....I didn't intend to turn this into another "Massachusetts" thread!   

Or another mileage based exit numbers thread. My god.

[RobbieL2415]

It's not the line painting, it's the paving seams.  ConnDOT doesn't put emphasis on making them  straight.  The lines are painted with a laser-guided machine attached to a truck.  What you're seeing is an optical illusion.

What does drive me crazy is their inconsistency with striping gore areas.  Some get it, some don't.  And I wish they would go back to the old method of striping exit/entrance lanes; dotted, broken, solid or solid, broken, dotted.

[abqtraveler]

Seems that the contractor(s) CT is using to paint road markings in District 3 is really off.  Crooked centerlines, poor use of space at intersections with turn lanes, bad geometry, and inconsistent lane widths are all common around here, after recent resurfacing projects.  I have a collection of pictures I will share when I pull them from my external later.

For now, check out this egregious example of the ramp from US-7 south to CT-15 south.  The Connector (US-7) bends to the left slightly before the ramp begins.  When the exit lane does begin, instead of paralleling the curb to the right like it used to, the ramp bends left with US-7 into what should be the exit gore point, then abruptly shifts right.

It's a huge pet peeve of mine, and also happens on the CT-15 north to US-7 north ramp.  It's even more of a nuisance there because the contractor started the rumble strip far too early, forcing you to merge into traffic prematurely!

Can anyone shed light on why this is so poorly done?  I know CT is broke but come on..

So looking at the video, my immediate question is that an interim lane striping that will be replaced after resurfacing is finished, or is what I see the final striping for that stretch of road? My guess is it would be that it's interim striping based on the thickness of the lines marking the gore area, and also the fact that Connecticut has been trending toward striping its exit ramp gores with chevrons after resurfacing projects. Wait a few more weeks until the weather gets warmer, and see whether or not crews go back and place final striping on this section of highway.

[shadyjay]

Sure enough (and they even took down the old gantry too):
[/url]

Seems like good progress is being made on this project... in both directions, and there's hope that the project will be completed sooner than 6/2020.  By my counts, based on JP's photos, I count 7 gantries-EB and 4-WB still to be installed. 

[kurumi]

I just noticed GSV of recent widening/signing work on CT 34 between CT 8 and CT 115 in Derby, and it's... pretty good. Overhead signs with lane assignments, making things pretty clear.

https://goo.gl/maps/mnBw11W2VkS2

[Mergingtraffic]

I just noticed GSV of recent widening/signing work on CT 34 between CT 8 and CT 115 in Derby, and it's... pretty good. Overhead signs with lane assignments, making things pretty clear.

https://goo.gl/maps/mnBw11W2VkS2

true but the lane markings are reversed.  The left lane turns into a left-turn only lane for CT-115 and makes people have to change lanes to stay on CT-34.  Most people turn right onto CT-34 than CT-115. It creates more of a slow down now b/c of the merging issue.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3192493,-73.0838011,3a,75y,107.43h,77.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG52Gk2Gz7zajtZ0UEZC4Vg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

and WB when CT-34 is made to two thru-lanes east of here in Derby will they replace or modify the sign to be two lanes or false advertise it?
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3194204,-73.0836792,3a,75y,303.76h,81.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxr5L4edVeQLc_DCrFOONLA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[kurumi]

I just noticed GSV of recent widening/signing work on CT 34 between CT 8 and CT 115 in Derby, and it's... pretty good. Overhead signs with lane assignments, making things pretty clear.

https://goo.gl/maps/mnBw11W2VkS2

true but the lane markings are reversed.  The left lane turns into a left-turn only lane for CT-115 and makes people have to change lanes to stay on CT-34.  Most people turn right onto CT-34 than CT-115. It creates more of a slow down now b/c of the merging issue.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3192493,-73.0838011,3a,75y,107.43h,77.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG52Gk2Gz7zajtZ0UEZC4Vg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

You're right. Lane continuity has never been a big thing. They might have been able to stripe the thru lanes to move to the right, opening the left lane for CT 115 as a "new" lane instead of a lane drop. As it is, the bridge is like I-84 between 394 and CT 15 but on a smaller scale. Add to one side, take from the other.

[jp the roadgeek]

Sure enough (and they even took down the old gantry too):
[/url]

Seems like good progress is being made on this project... in both directions, and there's hope that the project will be completed sooner than 6/2020.  By my counts, based on JP's photos, I count 7 gantries-EB and 4-WB still to be installed.

I traveled it today both ways between 32 and 39A.  Here's what I found:


EB: The JCT 72 2 Mi Phase IV sign is still there. For Exit 33, the 1/2 mile CT 72 West needs to be replaced (I saw the new sign in the maintenance area.  There is still an old (Phase IV, center tab) ground mounted 1/2 mile sign for Exit 34. Exit 35 still needs the 1/2 mile and at exit signage replaced. Slater Rd still needs the at exit signage replaced and the old 1/2 mile sign removed from the WB ramp overpass.  Fienemann Rd is all set.  The 1 mile signage for CT 4 and the 1/2 mile CT 4/ 1 1/4 mile signage for CT 9 are still Phase III, and the famed misaligned left exit tab on the LGS has yet to be corrected.  The at exit signage for CT 4 is done, as are the 3/4 and 1/4 mile signs for CT 9, both on chorded trusses.  The old gantry with the solitary I-84 single lane pull through is gone, but the button copy at-exit gantry and signage for 39A is still there.

WB: The 39A at exit sign is still button copy, the 1 mile Exit 39 sign is off The Stack, but still takes on the same shape as the old sign that was elongated to fit the overpass.  All the new Exit 38 signage is up. The 1/2 mi Exit 39/ 3/4 mi Exit 38 button copy gantry is still there.  The at exit Exit 39/ 1/4 mi Exit 38 gantry is up, but the old signage is still on the South Rd overpass, as is the old at exit sign for Fienemann Rd.  The button copy JCT 72 2 mi/ Slater Rd 1 1/2 mi signage is still there.  The old 1/2 mile button copy  Slater Rd/ 1 Mile Phase IV center tab Exit 35 gantry still stands.  The new at exit Slater Rd sign is there, but the old one still is mounted on the Long Swamp Rd overpass.  Other than the 1 1/2 mile Phase IV center tab 1 1/2 mile sign for CT 72 West on the Slater Rd ramp overpass and an empty single pipe gantry behind the new at exit Exit 35 chorded truss, everything down to 32 is now new signage. 

[shadyjay]

Checked out the progress of the I-95 sign replacement project on Sunday:

New Exit 85 ramp signage is up:
95NB-Exit85-ramp by Jay Hogan, on Flickr
Motorists will see different destinations for a few more years, as the Gold Star Bridge signs for this exit won't be replaced until the northbound bridge's rehab is complete. 

The Exit 86-exit now sign has not yet been replaced, but supports are being installed.  The Exit 87 signage has already been replaced, but the old gantries are still up, with pullthroughs remaining.

Speaking of old gantries and pull-throughs remaining, we're southbound now at a new sign:
95SB-Exit87 by Jay Hogan, on Flickr
This wasn't up a month or so ago. 

The Exit 87-1/2 mile sign and the Exit 86-exit now sign southbound have yet to be replaced.  Passing by Exit 87, I did observe at least one new overhead on CT 349.  I didn't travel that route this time around, so can't report on the other signs along that route.

More photos from Sunday's drive-around can be found on my FLICKR page.  It was a roundabout trip to Wallingford, via Groton, Windham, and Windsor, covering portions of I-95, CT 12, CT 2A, I-395, CT 32, CT 203, US 6, I-384, I-291, I-91, CT 15, CT 9, and I-691/CT 66.


I didn't get a shot because I was travelling the wrong direction, but I did notice at some point recently, new Exit 85 tabs were put up on the CT 99 South signs in Wethersfield on CT 15 North.  Previously, only southbound signage denoted this exit as 85, while northbound signage had no tabs.

[amroad17]

^ Both signs look excellent!  A mix of "new" and "classic".