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[Mergingtraffic]

IDK if you saw this but CT is AGAIN studying future I-84/Ct-8 Mixmaster (it was done in 2007 too) but this time the alternatives involve makingCT-8 a boulevard and making some of the ramps signalized.

Ugh

https://www.newmixwaterbury.com/project-alternatives/

CTDOT is going to have to prepare an EIS/EIE for the Mixmaster reconfiguration, so they are looking at a range of alternatives that could be evaluated as part of the EIS/EIE. What you see about "bouelvardizing" Route 8 through the interchange is just presenting what the realm of the possible is. Given the amount of traffic the Mixmaster handles, I view the boulevard concept as more of a "throw away" option that is included in the analysis of alternatives for CTDOT to show in the EIS/EIE that they've done their due diligence in arriving at their preferred alternative, whatever that might be.

I wouldn’t be so sure, as with the US-7/Merritt interchange, the stoplight alternative made to the top two alternates. With this state, you never know

[abqtraveler]

IDK if you saw this but CT is AGAIN studying future I-84/Ct-8 Mixmaster (it was done in 2007 too) but this time the alternatives involve makingCT-8 a boulevard and making some of the ramps signalized.

Ugh

https://www.newmixwaterbury.com/project-alternatives/

CTDOT is going to have to prepare an EIS/EIE for the Mixmaster reconfiguration, so they are looking at a range of alternatives that could be evaluated as part of the EIS/EIE. What you see about "bouelvardizing" Route 8 through the interchange is just presenting what the realm of the possible is. Given the amount of traffic the Mixmaster handles, I view the boulevard concept as more of a "throw away" option that is included in the analysis of alternatives for CTDOT to show in the EIS/EIE that they've done their due diligence in arriving at their preferred alternative, whatever that might be.

I wouldn’t be so sure, as with the US-7/Merritt interchange, the stoplight alternative made to the top two alternates. With this state, you never know

Converting the Merritt/7 interchange makes a little more sense, given that Super 7 will never be extended past where it currently ends at Gristmill Road. CTDOT has discussed realigning Route 7 between Gristmill Road and Main Street to eliminate the T intersection at Gristmill Road and soften the jog across the Norwalk River to allow a smoother transition from Super 7 to the south and Route 7 on its original alignment continuing north. Since the Merritt Parkway interchange is about a mile south of the Gristmill Road intersection, I can see the logic behind CTDOT considering a signalized intersection at the Merritt Parkway, as they would just pull the freeway terminus back to the Merritt Parkway, and Route 7 continuing north becomes essentially a 4-lane boulevard with a lower speed limit.

I can't say the same thing for Route 8 and I-84, as both highways carry a lot of traffic, and the current Mixmaster carries well over 100,000 VPD, perhaps as high as 150,000 VPD. Additionally, the Route 8/I-84 interchange happens to be right about at the midpoint of the Route 8 freeway's length between Bridgeport and Winsted, with about 30 miles of freeway, give or take, on either side of that interchange. Signalizing the Route 8 side of the interchange, you would end up with the same situation as you have with Route 9 in Middletown, which is quite dangerous IMHO with traffic moving at 70 MPH having to suddenly screech to a halt when the light turns red.

[kernals12]

From the "what were they thinking" department.

According to Kurumi, there were once plans for a freeway stretching from Exit 5 on 84 down to Bethel. Patriot Drive in Danbury was built to be part of it.

This freeway would've been less than 3 miles from the planned Super 7 and any justification for it would've evaporated when Danbury Fair Mall opened, sucking retail from Downtown Danbury and Bethel

[kurumi]

According to Kurumi, there were once plans for a freeway stretching from Exit 5 on 84 down to Bethel. Patriot Drive in Danbury was built to be part of it.

Wow, that's an ancient map. It's like seeing a junior high school class picture online.

More info (and the 22-year-old map) is here: https://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/dan-bethel.html.

The early 1960s were a fun time in CT highway history. Many ambitious plans at a large and small scale.

[abqtraveler]

According to Kurumi, there were once plans for a freeway stretching from Exit 5 on 84 down to Bethel. Patriot Drive in Danbury was built to be part of it.

Wow, that's an ancient map. It's like seeing a junior high school class picture online.

More info (and the 22-year-old map) is here: https://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/dan-bethel.html.

The early 1960s were a fun time in CT highway history. Many ambitious plans at a large and small scale.

They pretty much wanted to pave over the entire state back in the '60s. While it was a good thing that most of Connecticut's freeway proposals never saw the light of day, completing a few (Super 7, Route 25 or Route 34, I-291, and maybe extending I-84 to Rhode Island) would have made sense to finish out the state's highway network.

[RyanB06]

Per a VMS I saw on Route 9 in Cromwell last night, the new exit numbers go up tomorrow, January 22.

I didn't think they had all the signs switched out yet, but apparently they've got enough where ConnDOT is going to go ahead and make the switchover anyway.

[Ted$8roadFan]

According to Kurumi, there were once plans for a freeway stretching from Exit 5 on 84 down to Bethel. Patriot Drive in Danbury was built to be part of it.

Wow, that's an ancient map. It's like seeing a junior high school class picture online.

More info (and the 22-year-old map) is here: https://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/dan-bethel.html.

The early 1960s were a fun time in CT highway history. Many ambitious plans at a large and small scale.

They pretty much wanted to pave over the entire state back in the '60s. While it was a good thing that most of Connecticut's freeway proposals never saw the light of day, completing a few (Super 7, Route 25 or Route 34, I-291, and maybe extending I-84 to Rhode Island) would have made sense to finish out the state's highway network.

Route 11 as well.

[kernals12]

According to Kurumi, there were once plans for a freeway stretching from Exit 5 on 84 down to Bethel. Patriot Drive in Danbury was built to be part of it.

Wow, that's an ancient map. It's like seeing a junior high school class picture online.

More info (and the 22-year-old map) is here: https://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/dan-bethel.html.

The early 1960s were a fun time in CT highway history. Many ambitious plans at a large and small scale.

This plan wasn't in the super ambitious 1966 Tri-State Transportation Commission plan so I don't think it was an idea taken very seriously

[abqtraveler]

Per a VMS I saw on Route 9 in Cromwell last night, the new exit numbers go up tomorrow, January 22.

I didn't think they had all the signs switched out yet, but apparently they've got enough where ConnDOT is going to go ahead and make the switchover anyway.

They renumbered exits on I-395 when they were about midway through that sign replacement project. They simply overlaid the new exit numbers on top of the old ones on the old signs until the old signs were changed out.

[jp the roadgeek]

Per a VMS I saw on Route 9 in Cromwell last night, the new exit numbers go up tomorrow, January 22.

I didn't think they had all the signs switched out yet, but apparently they've got enough where ConnDOT is going to go ahead and make the switchover anyway.

They renumbered exits on I-395 when they were about midway through that sign replacement project. They simply overlaid the new exit numbers on top of the old ones on the old signs until the old signs were changed out.

By this logic, CT 72 should have been done months ago.  Sign replacement is about 90% complete and was even put out to bid before the lower Route 9 projects.  I travel the section east of 84 constantly, and nothing had changed in about 4-6 months.

[abqtraveler]

Per a VMS I saw on Route 9 in Cromwell last night, the new exit numbers go up tomorrow, January 22.

I didn't think they had all the signs switched out yet, but apparently they've got enough where ConnDOT is going to go ahead and make the switchover anyway.

They renumbered exits on I-395 when they were about midway through that sign replacement project. They simply overlaid the new exit numbers on top of the old ones on the old signs until the old signs were changed out.

By this logic, CT 72 should have been done months ago.  Sign replacement is about 90% complete and was even put out to bid before the lower Route 9 projects.  I travel the section east of 84 constantly, and nothing had changed in about 4-6 months.

Another thing that adds to the challenge of Route 72 is that the current sequential numbers start at the west end of the freeway and increase heading east. The new exit numbers will start at the opposite end at Route 9 and increase heading west. This is due to an oddity with Route 72's signed orientation versus its orientation in the state's route logs. It's signed as an east-west route, but the mileage and eventually its distance-based exit numbers will be based off the route log, which is oriented north-south. Given that, MP 0 for Route 72 is at Route 9 in New Britain, rather than at Route 4 in Harwinton.

[RobbieL2415]

IDK if you saw this but CT is AGAIN studying future I-84/Ct-8 Mixmaster (it was done in 2007 too) but this time the alternatives involve makingCT-8 a boulevard and making some of the ramps signalized.

Ugh

https://www.newmixwaterbury.com/project-alternatives/

Is that 5 mile southern bypass a new idea?

Yes...again they are looking at the realm of the possible as part of the EIS/EIE development...including concepts that are completely pie in the sky, like a southern bypass for I-84 and "downgrading' Route 8 to a signalized boulevard through the interchange.

I say:
Divert CT 8 to the east after Exit 28, meeting I-84 at Hamilton Park, then run concurrently west through downtown Waterbury, leaving I-84 to the north at the current Mixmaster. Old CT becomes a sort-of Riverside Blvd.

[shadyjay]

Another thing that adds to the challenge of Route 72 is that the current sequential numbers start at the west end of the freeway and increase heading east. The new exit numbers will start at the opposite end at Route 9 and increase heading west. This is due to an oddity with Route 72's signed orientation versus its orientation in the state's route logs. It's signed as an east-west route, but the mileage and eventually its distance-based exit numbers will be based off the route log, which is oriented north-south. Given that, MP 0 for Route 72 is at Route 9 in New Britain, rather than at Route 4 in Harwinton.

You gotta wonder how many times the route log for Route 72 has been modified.  I remember when its southern/eastern terminus was at Washington St/Rt 66 in Middletown.  Prior to the Rt 72 expressway it ran on what is today Rt 372, then the expressway opened in sections... first encompassing the portion from the Berlin Tpke to Kensington, then extended to New Britain proper, then west to I-84, then west to where it ends today in Plainville.  Not to mention the changes that have occurred at its northern terminus. 
So its been stretched and pulled and pushed back more than a few times.  Some may call it the "taffy" route (hmmm... where have I heard that route called that before?). 

Had a spirituous discussion about the new exit numbers on Rt 9.  Some of my coworkers are saying "about time", others are saying "why waste the money".  Trying to explain the situation to non-road enthusiasts is.... challenging, to say the least!  I'll get a visual confirmation most likely this weekend.

[Mergingtraffic]

Per a VMS I saw on Route 9 in Cromwell last night, the new exit numbers go up tomorrow, January 22.

I didn't think they had all the signs switched out yet, but apparently they've got enough where ConnDOT is going to go ahead and make the switchover anyway.

They renumbered exits on I-395 when they were about midway through that sign replacement project. They simply overlaid the new exit numbers on top of the old ones on the old signs until the old signs were changed out.

That project was done well. Effcient and the old exit number signs were extruded aluminum too. 
Since CT DOT did it once, why aren't they doing the others as good as the I-395 projects??

[jp the roadgeek]

New numbers haven’t made it to New Britain yet, but I did see a new gantry NB at SR 571 with new Exit Now for SR 571 and a 1 mi Ellis St sign.  The makeshift pull thru for 9 North is no more.  Plus I noticed CTDOT is going DelDOT a bit with new black on white signs at the 72 split that day “Left Lane Must Exit” instead of the traditional black on yellow Left Lane Exit Only.

UPDATE: It’s happening!!!  Looks like they started south from I-84 and will do northbound after. Drove southbound as far as I-91.  All of southbound from 84 and northbound up to the 72 split had the new numbers, including overlays on the old signage.   Just missed a couple of covers on the old exit signs near the 72 split SB and the ALT I-84 LGS still had the old number.

[shadyjay]

Drove parts of Rt 9 today.  In my travels I drove both directions between Exit 15 (former Exit 9) and Exit 29 (former Exit 20N).  Northbound, new exit numbers begin at Exit 25 (former Exit 18).  Southbound, they are continuous through the entire section (and most likely extend south of Exit 9). 

Signs so new it doesn't even have an exit tab yet...
DSC03351 by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

One thing I found curious was the exit number changed on this sign assembly, whose days are (supposebly) numbered... (former Exit 18)
CT9NB-Exit25 by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

Quality control strikes again...
CT9NB-services-goof by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

I-91 interchange...
CT9NB-Exit29-3 by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

Looks like all the signs have been changed out, except those for Exit 12...
CT9SB-Exit23B-2 by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

Exit 15/former Exit 9...
CT9SB-Exit15-2 by Jay Hogan, on Flickr


More here...
CT 9 - Sign replacement/renumbering in progress:   https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/albums/72157719337442409
CT 9 - Completed new signs w/ new exit #s:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/albums/72157665390043554

[jp the roadgeek]

Looks like they finished north of the 72 split last night.  Saw new Exit 39 signage in the rear view, plus they removed the cover on the one Old Exit sign SB that they missed.  So everything is done north of 91 except maybe the ALT I-84 LGS SB near the 91 interchange.

[jp the roadgeek]

Apologies for the double post, but it looks like things are finally rolling on the CT 72 conversion. Some new supplemental signage, plus a couple of old exit signs up between 84 and Corbin Ave. Snuck this Easter egg.



UPDATE: looks like they did more gore and supplemental signage work last night east of I-84.  Saw the uber wide new Exit 1D sign eastbound, plus new gore signs for Corbin Ave and I-84 East westbound.

[connroadgeek]

Why can't they get the spacing right on the signs? It's hard for me to believe they are not using computers and software that do all the heavy lifting on stuff like that.

[shadyjay]

For those interested,

I have all new photos of the mile-based exits on CT 9 available on my CT 9 page...(still missing Exits 13-5 but those will come next week maybe)...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/sets/72157665390043554/

A couple new signs since a couple weeks ago:

CT9NB-Exit34c by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

CT9NB-Exit40c by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

There's still 3 mainline gantries NB and somewhere around 6 SB.  Sheets are mostly all up on the middle and northern contracts, but no new mile markers yet north of MM 25.  And there are still some signs since replaced that have yet to be removed (but have had their exit numbers changed). 

[abqtraveler]

For those interested,

I have all new photos of the mile-based exits on CT 9 available on my CT 9 page...(still missing Exits 13-5 but those will come next week maybe)...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/sets/72157665390043554/

A couple new signs since a couple weeks ago:

CT9NB-Exit34c by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

CT9NB-Exit40c by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

There's still 3 mainline gantries NB and somewhere around 6 SB.  Sheets are mostly all up on the middle and northern contracts, but no new mile markers yet north of MM 25.  And there are still some signs since replaced that have yet to be removed (but have had their exit numbers changed).

The signs further south that use the black border on the state route shield look so much better than these.

[zzyzx]

Someone posted on Reddit what appears to be original footage of the Merritt Parkway from the 1930s. OP’s great uncle shot the footage just after it was opened, but isn’t sure of the exact location (could possibly be Fairfield, Westport, Norwalk areas). Anyone have guesses of the exact location?

[jp the roadgeek]

For those interested,

I have all new photos of the mile-based exits on CT 9 available on my CT 9 page...(still missing Exits 13-5 but those will come next week maybe)...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/sets/72157665390043554/

A couple new signs since a couple weeks ago:

CT9NB-Exit34c by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

CT9NB-Exit40c by Jay Hogan, on Flickr

There's still 3 mainline gantries NB and somewhere around 6 SB.  Sheets are mostly all up on the middle and northern contracts, but no new mile markers yet north of MM 25.  And there are still some signs since replaced that have yet to be removed (but have had their exit numbers changed).

The signs further south that use the black border on the state route shield look so much better than these.

Don't understand why 40A is for 84 West and 40B for 84 East.  Would make sense that EB gets the lower letter since its the closest in to the terminus. 

[shadyjay]

Guess we'll find out when the enhanced mile markers make it up that far.  At the southern end, the mile markers continue down the Exit 1A ramp (the "left exit" to I-95 North).  There is no Mile 0.00 posted, but the lowest marker is 0.2 and just before merging onto I-95 North itself. 

[shadyjay]

UPDATE:
Rumors of CT 72 having mileage-based exits already are FALSE... drove it from Rt 9 to I-84 today and the sequential numbers are still up.  New gore signs are up with the new numbers tarped/taped, however.  Maybe the one for Exit 2/Old Exit 7 posted above "fell off". 

No mile markers observed yet on Rt 72 and no new enhanced markers still north of Middletown.  They are making progress with the new "sheets", however, and saw a new overhead SB near (former) Exit 23 that will replace two existing overheads.  No signs on the new one yet.  In Middletown, the (former) Exit 16 sign I posted earlier still does not have an exit tab, and advance (former) Exit 12 signs SB still haven't been replaced yet. 

And the "sideways lodging" sign is still sideways.