Connecticut News

[shadyjay]

Got some shots of the new CT 2 & CT 11 exit numbers today.  They're on my FLICKR page.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/

New exit numbers are posted on CT 2 from Norwich up to (at least) Colchester... most likely farther northwest.   CT 11 is done as well. 

(As of Friday 1/17, there were still tarped numbers on the Founder's Bridge in Hartford)

[Great Lakes Roads]

Next few signage replacement projects coming to Connecticut-

Service Plaza Mainline Sign and Sign Support Replacement on I-95 & I-395 (STATEWIDE)

Replace Highway Signs and Supports on I-91/CT 190 (DISTRICT 1)

[shadyjay]

Yesterday I was able to travel the Route 8 corridor (Bridgeport to Thomaston) to check on the status of the "Exit Renumbering & Spot Sign Replacement" project.  Of course, the exits were renumbered last year... for the most part.  Two exits were skipped... the I-95 Jct (which is supposed to become Exits 1A & 1B) and the CT 25 exit northbound.  Hopefully they have second thoughts on this one, as its actually Route 8 which exits the mainline and since CT 8 and 25 are cosigned south of the jct and that north of the jct, CT 25 mile markers continue the CT 8 sequence, I think the jct should remain unnumbered.  But, we'll see.

As far as signs go, all overheads in Bridgeport that were not replaced in previous projects have been replaced.  There are two new 4-chord cantilevers for Exits 2A (->) and 2B (1/2 mile) as well as a monotube bridge for Exit 2A SB.  In Derby, two overheads were replaced.  However, the truss spanning the south end of the Commodore Hull Bridge (at Exit 12-A) remains, complete with button copy signage in each direction.  This gantry is not in the contract, so it'll most likely be the last Route 8 corridor button copy remaining.

Continuing north, one of two gantries in Naugatuck has been replaced.  Uprights are in for the 2nd one. 

From Waterbury/I-84 jct to Thomaston, the project involves complete sign replacement.  This is essentially complete, except for one overhead in each direction.  And one spot replacement from long ago that I believe is just having a sign replaced on it.

For those playing along at home, here's a link to my CT 8 album complete with the new photos added:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/albums/72157670186371584/

[jp the roadgeek]

1000% agree that the 8/25 split should renain unnumbered because it is a mainline split.  However, CTDOT recognizes the 8/25 connector as CT 8 in both the route log and the enhanced mile markers. 

As for the I-91/CT 190 project, I have to wonder if that includes new signage and mileage based exit numbers for the Bradley Connector (CT 20).  I'm guessing it replaces all of the button copy signage between I-84 and the MA line.

[shadyjay]

I doubt it reaches down that far... I'd guess we'll get from the state line down to the Dexter Coffin Bridge.  This section has the oldest section of signage on I-91, dating back to (at least) 1989.

There's still a good chunk of I-91 left to change out signage... everything north of Exit 18 right now (outside of some spot sections here n' there, like Exits 26-29 and such. 

[Great Lakes Roads]

Coming in 2026-

Advertising Date: 1/21/2026

0042-0328
VARIOUS SIGNING
Replace Highway Signs & Renumber Exits I-84

A letting to replace the remaining signage as well as renumbering the exits to mile-based along I-84 through Connecticut.

[The Ghostbuster]

Is it too soon for bob7374 to update his New England Exit Renumbering Central to include the new exit numbers for Interstate 84? I reckon Exits 3-8 might not be renumbered, since they are pretty much what their mileage-based numbers would be anyway.

[shadyjay]

Interesting.  So for signage on I-84 that could possibly be replaced, I'd guess the 2000s-era from Exits 13-18 in Southbury/Middlebury and the oldest-of-the-old from Exits 57-65 in East Hartford/Manchester.

[bob7374]

Is it too soon for bob7374 to update his New England Exit Renumbering Central to include the new exit numbers for Interstate 84? I reckon Exits 3-8 might not be renumbered, since they are pretty much what their mileage-based numbers would be anyway.

May be a little too soon. The plans with the official numbers won't be published until the project is advertised next January. One could create a potential list using the exit list milepost information in the AARoads Wiki I-84 in CT entry and the exit numbering rules on the CTDOT Exit Renumbering project FAQ page. It might make sense not to renumber the exits through Danbury since they are close to the milepost numbers, but we'll see.

[jp the roadgeek]

Here's what I gather for the renumbering.  I fudged I-691 down to 39 and put the I-91 exits for the destination (62C for SB and 62D for NB).  Also added some wishful thinking signage (CT 173 shields for South Main St, Flatbush Ave being the better way to New Park Ave WB, West Blvd on Sisson Ave, TO US 44 WEST on EB signage for Main St)

[MikeTheActuary]

Fox61 just ran a story on state Senate Bill 1375.

The news story focused on actually making left lane blocking illegal, although most of the public comment on the bill apparently has been in regards to a provision that would require motorcyclists to wear helmets.

Another provision in the bill that might interest folks here (but was not covered in the news story): a requirement for the state to use paint with retroreflective beads for lane markers.

[shadyjay]

Has anyone noticed lately the increase in the number of drivers swerving in and out of the HOV lane on I-91?  I sure have.  In fact, Sunday afternoon I observed a vehicle cross between the main travel lanes and the HOV lane some 4 times in an attempt to recklessly pass any motorist that got in his way. 

Which begs the question...

Is it feasible for some sort of barrier in the divider?  I get it... you need emergency vehicle access.  But how about jersey barriers (with random gaps) or those plastic pylons?  Or something?

And since we're talking HOV lanes, approaching Exit 33 southbound seems to slow down every day.  Culprit #1 is traffic trying to get to I-84 West (Exit 32).  Culprit #2 is the fact that the end of the HOV lane requires a merge from the left, rather than having its own lane.  The ideal solution here would be to have an additional lane to eliminate the HOV lane merge, which would then continue to Exit 30, becoming an EXIT ONLY lane there.  Not sure if there's a way to sneak in another lane.  Maybe State St/Exit 31 shouln't have its own exit lane and there's your space.

Thoughts?

[Rothman]

Has anyone noticed lately the increase in the number of drivers swerving in and out of the HOV lane on I-91?  I sure have.  In fact, Sunday afternoon I observed a vehicle cross between the main travel lanes and the HOV lane some 4 times in an attempt to recklessly pass any motorist that got in his way. 

Which begs the question...

Is it feasible for some sort of barrier in the divider?  I get it... you need emergency vehicle access.  But how about jersey barriers (with random gaps) or those plastic pylons?  Or something?

And since we're talking HOV lanes, approaching Exit 33 southbound seems to slow down every day.  Culprit #1 is traffic trying to get to I-84 West (Exit 32).  Culprit #2 is the fact that the end of the HOV lane requires a merge from the left, rather than having its own lane.  The ideal solution here would be to have an additional lane to eliminate the HOV lane merge, which would then continue to Exit 30, becoming an EXIT ONLY lane there.  Not sure if there's a way to sneak in another lane.  Maybe State St/Exit 31 shouln't have its own exit lane and there's your space.

Thoughts?

Heh.  There's so much junk in that area between the HOV lane and travel lanes that you'd think few tires would survive the trip across.

The traffic has been congested from downtown out to the HOV merge since the thing was built when I was a kid.  I'd be surprised if any solution to Hartford's perpetual snarl downtown will ever be found.

At this point, finding solutions is more fictional than "Connecticut News."

[MikeTheActuary]

Realignment of I-84 might help a little with the perpetual snarl if it were accompanied by the construction of a better I-84 / I-91 interchange and if some of the design deficiencies of I-84 were addressed... but that project is one that I'll believe when I actually see it getting done.

[Rothman]

Realignment of I-84 might help a little with the perpetual snarl if it were accompanied by the construction of a better I-84 / I-91 interchange and if some of the design deficiencies of I-84 were addressed.

Oh, is that all? ;D

[RobbieL2415]

Has anyone noticed lately the increase in the number of drivers swerving in and out of the HOV lane on I-91?  I sure have.  In fact, Sunday afternoon I observed a vehicle cross between the main travel lanes and the HOV lane some 4 times in an attempt to recklessly pass any motorist that got in his way. 

Which begs the question...

Is it feasible for some sort of barrier in the divider?  I get it... you need emergency vehicle access.  But how about jersey barriers (with random gaps) or those plastic pylons?  Or something?

And since we're talking HOV lanes, approaching Exit 33 southbound seems to slow down every day.  Culprit #1 is traffic trying to get to I-84 West (Exit 32).  Culprit #2 is the fact that the end of the HOV lane requires a merge from the left, rather than having its own lane.  The ideal solution here would be to have an additional lane to eliminate the HOV lane merge, which would then continue to Exit 30, becoming an EXIT ONLY lane there.  Not sure if there's a way to sneak in another lane.  Maybe State St/Exit 31 shouln't have its own exit lane and there's your space.

Thoughts?

I asked on this thread why they couldn't design the HOV lanes with Jersey barriers and got no answer.

But there's two reasons I can think of why they weren't.

One is that it would not have been able to accommodate the drain culverts in the median.
Another is that adding a barrier would remove space for a shoulder for the HOV lane. The HOV median is much narrower on I-84 through East Hartford and can barely hold a disabled vehicle.

Other ways to discourage scofflaws could be congestion-based open-road tolling, video enforcement, or roughing up the surface of the median.

[Plutonic Panda]

Orange County in California is moving to making the HOV lanes continuously open. In my opinion, it's better to allow people to freely an enter an exit the HOV lanes whenever. IMO the only time there should be barriers or for express or toll Lane.

[shadyjay]

Finally found the plans for the Gold Star Bridge signing (as part of the big rehab project starting this year).  They're buried in the "contract special provisions".  Exit 85 will get "APL" treatment and its destinations will change to "Groton Waterfront/Downtown Groton".  Exit 86 retains the "US Sub Base/Gales Ferry" destinations.  Project will also replace Exit 83-NB signage that was absent from the signing plans for the "Clinton to New London" project.

These new signs, however, won't go up until the bridge rehab is nearly complete.  The first couple of stages have I-95 thru traffic shifted onto the SB bridge via crossovers, temporarily relocating Exit 85 to the New London side.  2 lanes will be maintained on the NB bridge during the rehab to serve 95N->Exit 85 traffic and for traffic entering I-95 NB from New London.  They won't have access to Exit 86, however, and will have to take Exit 87.

In the "historical plans" download, there's also the signage that went up in 1970 shown.  Lots of pages to sift through to find it, however, and some cool historical info/maps as well.

[zzyzx]

In the "historical plans" download, there's also the signage that went up in 1970 shown.  Lots of pages to sift through to find it, however, and some cool historical info/maps as well.

Here's a screenshot of the 1970 Signing plans that Jay was talking about:
https://imgur.com/a/bXoMqOX



Some things I noticed:

• Route 1 is signed as "North/South" in New London, but also "East" for the Groton side
• Exit 87 is signed as "Defense Access Highway / Industrial Area." When did it change to "Clarence B. Sharp Highway?
• "U.S.C.G Acad." is listed as one of the destinations in the New London Exits sign instead of Mitchell College

There's a lot to sort through and I enjoyed looking at all of the historical maps in the document as well!

[shadyjay]

At some point, the signs for Exit 83 SB were altered to say "Frontage Rds/ROUTE 1".  Not sure why that was but I clearly remember them in the 1980s.  Its possible what was shown here never got put up.  There was also a "SHOPPING MALLS" destination sign in place of the I-95 South pull-through on the second gantry on the bridge.  That may have gone up about the time the Crystal Mall opened c 1984/1985. 

I do remember that I-95 North got its existing Phase III signage on the bridge before I-95 South did, by a few years at least. 

Also before it was replaced, the "NORTH" on CT 12 North signage was removed for some reason.  CT 12 only goes one way off Exit 86 anyway.

[shadyjay]

HAHAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!  I knew I'd eventually find this....


https://www.ctpublicplus.org/player/30636/series?assetType=series&shw_ep=1

CPTV/PBS documentary called "From Here To There" about transportation in Connecticut.  This came out around 1998.  Its the history of CT transportation and includes some historical video going all the way back to the opening of the Merritt Parkway, including Gov Wilbur Cross addressing his cabinet.  Some footage of the Stratford toll accident, the Mianus River Bridge collapse, and what traffic conditions would be like in 2010.  During the time this was shot, button copy (Phase III) signage was still running rampant statewide, I-91 through Hartford was still being rebuilt, and the Q Bridge was still "planning to be replaced". 

I've been searching for this program for some time (my VHS copy which I taped off CPTV when it aired was long gone).  I'm glad I found it online and can share it with the group.

[shadyjay]

Press release for replacement of signs on I-84 and renumbering of exits (not going out to bid until early 2026)...


https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ctdot-construction-advisories/2025/ctdot-to-replace-highway-signs-sign-and-renumber-exits-along-i84-in-east-hartford-and-manchester?language=en_US

The press release only lists the exits being renumbered in East Hartford and Manchester... this is where the bulk of the sign replacement will take place, gantries and all.  It represents the oldest signage still in existance on CT highways, dating back to the 1980s.  As far as what the rest of the numbers on I-84 will be, they're on the map at the "Exit Renumbering page" on CTDOT's web site.  https://portal.ct.gov/dot/traffic-engineering/exit-renumbering?language=en_US

As expected, Exits 1-8 don't change.  Alphabet soup doesn't get any deeper than Level "C".  The "EXITS 62 & 60" nonsense WB will be gone, with just a single number, favoring the Buckland St exit, since CT isn't numbering "splitting offramps". 

No mention yet of renumbering US 7's exits.  Then again, CT 25 barely got a mention, and then they were renumbered.  So we'll see.  We still have a long way to go before the first I-84 exit gets a new number, but this is a start.

[Rothman]

Oh good.  The misery of driving I-84 in Connecticut will now dissipate.

[The Ghostbuster]

I find it interesting that all four states the eastern Interstate 84 went through originally had sequential exit numbers but will now all have mileage-based exit numbers. Pennsylvania converted in 2001, New York in 2019, Connecticut next year, and Massachusetts in 2021.

[RobbieL2415]

Press release for replacement of signs on I-84 and renumbering of exits (not going out to bid until early 2026)...


https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ctdot-construction-advisories/2025/ctdot-to-replace-highway-signs-sign-and-renumber-exits-along-i84-in-east-hartford-and-manchester?language=en_US

The press release only lists the exits being renumbered in East Hartford and Manchester... this is where the bulk of the sign replacement will take place, gantries and all.  It represents the oldest signage still in existance on CT highways, dating back to the 1980s.  As far as what the rest of the numbers on I-84 will be, they're on the map at the "Exit Renumbering page" on CTDOT's web site.  https://portal.ct.gov/dot/traffic-engineering/exit-renumbering?language=en_US

As expected, Exits 1-8 don't change.  Alphabet soup doesn't get any deeper than Level "C".  The "EXITS 62 & 60" nonsense WB will be gone, with just a single number, favoring the Buckland St exit, since CT isn't numbering "splitting offramps". 

No mention yet of renumbering US 7's exits.  Then again, CT 25 barely got a mention, and then they were renumbered.  So we'll see.  We still have a long way to go before the first I-84 exit gets a new number, but this is a start.

I was hoping for an additional announcement of a complete resurfacing or asphalt capping of I-84 from Exit 60 to 63. I thought they may have been waiting to replace the signs in that stretch so they could do them together.