Connecticut News

[vdeane]

The I-40 issue is due to Overton Park; it's actually I-240's numbers there, with 1F fudged to avoid confusion.  It wasn't fudged to avoid alphabet soup (in fact, it created more), it was done because the road was cancelled and rerouted after everything was numbered correctly.

[JJBers]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

[KEVIN_224]

The paving is nearly done on the Berlin Turnpike (US 5/CT 15) in Berlin and Newington. Much of the lane striping is set. There's a still some paving needed to be done on the southbound shoulder. This is mostly from the corner of CT Route 160 in Berlin up to the corner of CT Route 173 in Newington (corner with Arby's and Bob's Discount Furniture). Sewers were replaced in this same stretch first, before the milling and repaving.

[jp the roadgeek]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Now if only Google Maps would respond to my months long request and change the CR 31 designation north of US 44 to CT 31.

[JJBers]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Now if only Google Maps would respond to my months long request and change the CR 31 designation north of US 44 to CT 31.

That's been bothering me for years now, and I figured out it's put as State Route 31, instead of Connecticut 31

[Alps]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Now if only Google Maps would respond to my months long request and change the CR 31 designation north of US 44 to CT 31.

That's been bothering me for years now, and I figured out it's put as State Route 31, instead of Connecticut 31

Yes!! I was trying to clinch CT and came across the fact that 31 didn't end at 44... now I have to go back...

[jp the roadgeek]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Now if only Google Maps would respond to my months long request and change the CR 31 designation north of US 44 to CT 31.

That's been bothering me for years now, and I figured out it's put as State Route 31, instead of Connecticut 31

Yes!! I was trying to clinch CT and came across the fact that 31 didn't end at 44... now I have to go back...

It's probably leftover from when Google Maps mistakenly extended MA 31 across the CT border for the 100 yards or so of Dresser Hill Rd to CT 197 in Thompson.   The real CT 31 starts at CT 74 in Tolland, crosses I-84 at Exit 67, becomes the interestingly named Bread and Milk St. in Coventry before briefly duplexing with US 44 and continuing south to CT 32.

Interesting fact:  CT 31 is one of 3 state routes (CT 67 and CT 72 being the others) that are logged differently in the CT state route log than the direction it is signed.  CT 31 and CT 67 are signed north-south but are logged east-west, while CT 72 is logged north-south but is signed east-west (except at CT 4 in Harwinton). 

[JJBers]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Now if only Google Maps would respond to my months long request and change the CR 31 designation north of US 44 to CT 31.

That's been bothering me for years now, and I figured out it's put as State Route 31, instead of Connecticut 31

Yes!! I was trying to clinch CT and came across the fact that 31 didn't end at 44... now I have to go back...

It's probably leftover from when Google Maps mistakenly extended MA 31 across the CT border for the 100 yards or so of Dresser Hill Rd to CT 197 in Thompson.

I always wondered why they just don't do that, just make it MA 31 in Connecticut. (They've already done it with NY 120A).

[Duke87]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Wait, there's a new alignment? Where did it move?

[JJBers]

In other news, they're now curbing the new CT 31 alignment in Coventry, CT. The town also added sidewalks recently.

Wait, there's a new alignment? Where did it move?

Slightly to the right, they're really just straightening a curve

[MikeTheActuary]

The I-40 issue is due to Overton Park; it's actually I-240's numbers there, with 1F fudged to avoid confusion.  It wasn't fudged to avoid alphabet soup (in fact, it created more), it was done because the road was cancelled and rerouted after everything was numbered correctly.

I know.

The point I was trying to make was just that there is precedent for mile-based exit numbers not being precisely accurate with actual highway mileage.

There is about as much to be gained by renumbering the exits on I-95 west of New Haven as there is to be gained by renumbering the exits on I-40 in Tennessee.

[yakra]

Which curve where?

[JJBers]

Which curve where?

About 500 feet south of the CT 275 interchange

[kurumi]

Construction on the Route 110/111 roundabout in Monroe starts on July 10 (link)

The project consists of the construction of a modern traffic roundabout to improve safety and congestion at the intersection of Routes 110 and 111 in Monroe, including reconstruction of Route 111 to reduce the grade of the road, construction of a cul-de-sac on Hurd Avenue, and installation of sidewalks connecting this intersection to the Monroe town center. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday July 10, 2017 and run through October 9, 2018.

Public Informational Meeting slideshow (March 2015)

[kurumi]

Also: 1st person drive simulation of 110/111 roundabout

(Not super compelling -- it's just a 3-way roundabout -- but some nice detail)

[Mergingtraffic]

I forgot to mention, I went to the I-84 Danbury widening public hearing.  The engineers know the left hand ramps suck and were really aware of how they need to get removed.
They did not know on rainy long weekends that I-84 WB backs up to Exit 11.  They were surprised when I told them that.  They knew it backed up on weekdays but not on certain weekends.  The same EB, they weren't aware of I-84 backing up from 2-8 on long holiday weekends.  They knew how the left ramps caused trouble and also knew how the US-7 WB on-ramp at Exit 7 also contributes they were thinking of making that a 2-lane on-ramp.

Another engineer I talked to, seemed to think if you are looking at a map it appears US-7 NB is a straight away from I-84 EB at 7 and therefore people continue straight on US-7 NB rather than continuing on I-84 EB because they think I-84 goes straight when actually you're exiting at Exit 7.  IDK if I believe that, it seemed to me he's from the "it looks good on paper but not in real life" type engineer.

Overall, they seemed really concerned about the left hand ramps, so hopefully that will be addressed.  But I have a feeling it won't because of funding.

I also talked about the I-84 Aetna Viaduct and from what I was told they will keep I-84 6-lanes up until the I-91 split.  I said since you're doing all this work why not think ahead and extend the 8-lane portion farther west?  They didn't agree.
 
http://www.i84hartford.com/  Look at the lowered alternative video.  If you look at the video it seems the 8-lane section will be shortened.  Currently the 8-lane section starts at Asylum St under the new proposal they would start at High St.  Not sure if that's a good move or not.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7691205,-72.6826115,435m/data=!3m1!1e3

[JJBers]

I forgot to mention, I went to the I-84 Danbury widening public hearing.  The engineers know the left hand ramps suck and were really aware of how they need to get removed.
They did not know on rainy long weekends that I-84 WB backs up to Exit 11.  They were surprised when I told them that.  They knew it backed up on weekdays but not on certain weekends.  The same EB, they weren't aware of I-84 backing up from 2-8 on long holiday weekends.  They knew how the left ramps caused trouble and also knew how the US-7 WB on-ramp at Exit 7 also contributes they were thinking of making that a 2-lane on-ramp.

Another engineer I talked to, seemed to think if you are looking at a map it appears US-7 NB is a straight away from I-84 EB at 7 and therefore people continue straight on US-7 NB rather than continuing on I-84 EB because they think I-84 goes straight when actually you're exiting at Exit 7.  IDK if I believe that, it seemed to me he's from the "it looks good on paper but not in real life" type engineer.

Overall, they seemed really concerned about the left hand ramps, so hopefully that will be addressed.  But I have a feeling it won't because of funding.

I also talked about the I-84 Aetna Viaduct and from what I was told they will keep I-84 6-lanes up until the I-91 split.  I said since you're doing all this work why not think ahead and extend the 8-lane portion farther west?  They didn't agree.
 
http://www.i84hartford.com/  Look at the lowered alternative video.  If you look at the video it seems the 8-lane section will be shortened.  Currently the 8-lane section starts at Asylum St under the new proposal they would start at High St.  Not sure if that's a good move or not.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7691205,-72.6826115,435m/data=!3m1!1e3

Burn the left hand exits...burn them

[iBallasticwolf2]

I forgot to mention, I went to the I-84 Danbury widening public hearing.  The engineers know the left hand ramps suck and were really aware of how they need to get removed.
They did not know on rainy long weekends that I-84 WB backs up to Exit 11.  They were surprised when I told them that.  They knew it backed up on weekdays but not on certain weekends.  The same EB, they weren't aware of I-84 backing up from 2-8 on long holiday weekends.  They knew how the left ramps caused trouble and also knew how the US-7 WB on-ramp at Exit 7 also contributes they were thinking of making that a 2-lane on-ramp.

Another engineer I talked to, seemed to think if you are looking at a map it appears US-7 NB is a straight away from I-84 EB at 7 and therefore people continue straight on US-7 NB rather than continuing on I-84 EB because they think I-84 goes straight when actually you're exiting at Exit 7.  IDK if I believe that, it seemed to me he's from the "it looks good on paper but not in real life" type engineer.

Overall, they seemed really concerned about the left hand ramps, so hopefully that will be addressed.  But I have a feeling it won't because of funding.

I also talked about the I-84 Aetna Viaduct and from what I was told they will keep I-84 6-lanes up until the I-91 split.  I said since you're doing all this work why not think ahead and extend the 8-lane portion farther west?  They didn't agree.
 
http://www.i84hartford.com/  Look at the lowered alternative video.  If you look at the video it seems the 8-lane section will be shortened.  Currently the 8-lane section starts at Asylum St under the new proposal they would start at High St.  Not sure if that's a good move or not.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7691205,-72.6826115,435m/data=!3m1!1e3

Burn the left hand exits...burn them

This reminds me of the Big Dig project on a lesser scale, because it's moving a massive viaduct underground/under-grade.  But it also has the comparison of the main focus of the project being moving the freeway underground as opposed to doing everything to improve traffic.  For example, the Sigourney Street interchange is a half-diamond interchange, much like it is currently.  Wouldn't something such as a half-SPUI be better for traffic movement?  The shortened 8 lane segment also raises questions about how well the new road would perform in rush hour traffic.  Otherwise, the removal of left-hand exits (which opens up space for neighborhood redevelopment, but it'll probably be condos), the future cap over I-84, and the new park areas as well as bike/transit accommodations will make a much better I-84 that improves land value and traffic flow.  Hopefully Connecticut is competent enough to fund this.

[JJBers]

Random sign photo of I-84 in Connecticut:

CC 2.0 JJBers
Love that faded sign
(on a unrelated side note, I just noticed a good shot of a plane in the background)

[KEVIN_224]

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-connecticut-transportation-spending-20170613-story.html?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Contentutm_content=595cf0e43ed3f000072dbb78utm_medium=trueAnthemutm_source=twitter

I just saw this pop up on the Twitter feed of The Hartford Courant this morning. Hmmm...no mention of I-95 from Old Lyme to Waterford. Again!

[JJBers]

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-connecticut-transportation-spending-20170613-story.html?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Contentutm_content=595cf0e43ed3f000072dbb78utm_medium=trueAnthemutm_source=twitter

I just saw this pop up on the Twitter feed of The Hartford Courant this morning. Hmmm...no mention of I-95 from Old Lyme to Waterford. Again!

They're fixing up I-95 in New London-Groton area? Why? (I hadn't read it all yet) Also hopefully the Hartford Line (Rail) still is funded, that seems like a cool idea.

[jp the roadgeek]

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-connecticut-transportation-spending-20170613-story.html?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Contentutm_content=595cf0e43ed3f000072dbb78utm_medium=trueAnthemutm_source=twitter

I just saw this pop up on the Twitter feed of The Hartford Courant this morning. Hmmm...no mention of I-95 from Old Lyme to Waterford. Again!

Now, this article mentions repairing The Mixmaster.  Not sure if that means reconstructing it, or if they plan to put a band aid on the Hoover Dam and just repair the bridges and put a fresh coat of paint on it.

[shadyjay]

Today's the day of the advertising of the 2017 statewide sign support replacement project.  Sites in this year's version include Stamford, Norwalk, Vernon, Meriden, East Lyme, just to name a few.  A few interesting tidbits:  the Norwalk and Bridgeport signs being replaced show provisions for exit tabs.  The exit numbers on the plans reflect mileage.  For US 7 South, these are the exits for I-95 and South Norwalk, shown as Exits 1B-C-D, and for CT 8 NB approaching the CT 25 jct, this shows Exit 4.   If we go on the US 7 assumptions, then there will be no EXIT 0.  Thank god! 

Also some interesting notes for the Meriden signs, which are on I-691EB at Exits 10 & 11... or is it on CT 66EB?  Well, the Exit 10 sign will get I-691 signage, while the Exit 11 sign will get "BEGIN CT 66 EAST" signage.  And even more interesting, most likely for those leaving the casinos, control cities of "NY CITY" and "BOSTON" will be added to the I-395 SB and NB signs, respectively, as a gantry that's been missing for a while on CT 2A at Exit 5 (old Exit 1) is finally installed.

Link to the plans, which you can download in a ZIP file:
http://www.biznet.ct.gov/scp_search/BidDetail.aspx?CID=43707

[jp the roadgeek]

So it looks like in the future CT will be numbering junctions with interstates at endpoints of highways.  I would look for future provisions for numbers at the south end of CT 9, CT 8/25, I-95 North on I-91, the east end of I-291, and for I-84 East/I-291 West at the west end of I-384. I'm still interested how I-691 and CT 66 will be numbered in the future: will CT 66 get its own exit numbers or be a continuation of I-691, and will I-691 be numbered per the state route log (west from I-91) or per cardinal direction (east from I-84)?  I do like the New York and Boston coming out of the casinos; now just replace Providence with Worcester as a control city on I-395 North and we're all set.

Also, putting an exit number on CT 8 for CT 25 North makes me wonder if ConnDOT will be eliminating the (unnecessary) CT 8/25 duplex and starting CT 25 Exit numbers based on mileage from the split rather than I-95.  One would think there wouldn't be the need for an exit number if it's a true split of 2 mainline routes.

[shadyjay]

Only a single onramp has an I-395 control city of Providence, and that's coming from CT 2 EB.  I find it interesting that MassDOT is now using "New London CT" as the control city for I-395 from the Mass Pike.  There's no mention of New London anywhere on I-395... until you get to Exit 5.  Should New London be a control city on I-395, in place of Norwich?  Maybe.... maybe not.  Or at the very least, how bout some mileage signs?  "NORWICH ## / NEW LONDON ## / NY CITY ###".

Regarding 8/25, I thought that too, about removing the duplex.  I never understood why the two were signed that way.  It reminds me of those seemingly needless multiplexes that Maine has all over the place.

Regarding 66/691, they should renumber with MM 0 being at I-84 and continuing east, all the way to the end of the exp'y in Middlefield.  Resetting CT 66 exit numbers back to "1" for Preston Ave seems more confusing.  And do we even know where CT 66 mileage officially begins/ends?  The east end of the exp'y, heading west, has a I-691 sign on the overhead. 

While the new Exit 10 pullthrough will read "EAST I-691 TO 66", you'll still have one sign to the west that will read "66 EAST".  Wonder if that'll get replaced at some point in the not-too-distant future?  It is a bridge-mount after all, and we know ConnDOT is favoring away from those (except in Norwalk).