Connecticut News

[shadyjay]

I-78 on CT-2?

DOH!  CT-78 LOL

You mean this one, I take it, as the one on CT 2 EB was replaced with a SGS (small green sign):

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.392172,-71.8450394,3a,21y,1.75h,91.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swNisIzqC8sfr_1zuq9DDoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[RobbieL2415]

Demountable copy, what I call Phase II, still exists on I-84 from Exits 57-64 and most likely dates back to the completion of I-384 to I-84 and the subsequent widening and complete reconstruction of the Wilbur Cross Highway in that area.  It also still exists on the mid 80s extension of I-691 from Exit 4 in Southington to I-84 in Cheshire/Southington. 

Still hard to believe how much of those old signs still exist.  And that's not to mention all the Phase III reflective button copy that exists in large portions on CT 2, CT 9, CT 11, and I-91 north of Hartford. 

IIRC, the signs that were replaced on I-395 (the original Conn Tpke portion) in the Norwich area were reflective button copy with a "born on date" of 1985.  They most likely replaced the original 1959-vintage all text blue signs.  Some of those survived on the I-95 portion, Branford-Guilford, until 1993.

I-291 still has all its original signage from 1994, except for the last pull-through signs at the eastern terminus.

[abqtraveler]

On a related note, CONNDOT is scheduled to advertise sign replacement contracts for Routes 9 and 72 next week. Looking forward to seeing if the plans included with the bid advertisement will have mile-based exit numbers or retain sequential numbers.

[jp the roadgeek]

On a related note, CONNDOT is scheduled to advertise sign replacement contracts for Routes 9 and 72 next week. Looking forward to seeing if the plans included with the bid advertisement will have mile-based exit numbers or retain sequential numbers.

Another thing to consider with 72 is that CTDOT logs it as a north-south route but signs it east-west everywhere except at the northern/western terminus at Route 4.  If mileage based, will the exits start with 1 in New Britain and head west, or start with 14 at CT 177 and head east?  Several of the signs near the western I-84 junction have already been replaced as part of spot projects.

[shadyjay]

I did not know that about CT 72, being a logged north/south route.  Come to think of it, when it did extend south to CT 66 in Middletown, it was largely more of a N/S routing.  I'd assume (or can I?) that it will get mile markers and thus, we'll know what it will get as far as exit numbering.  Since all signs are being replaced/modified at the same time, that is generally the candidate for an exit number conversion.  CT 9, on the other hand, will most likely be set up as "mileage-ready" on the new signs (wide enough to accommodate "##A" or "##B), but won't be converted since the southern 25 miles isn't having its signs replaced yet (but really should, as those date to the mid 80s). 

[bob7374]

On a related note, CONNDOT is scheduled to advertise sign replacement contracts for Routes 9 and 72 next week. Looking forward to seeing if the plans included with the bid advertisement will have mile-based exit numbers or retain sequential numbers.

IIRC A ConnDOT spokesman was quoted in an earlier post to this thread last September that CT 9/72 would be the next routes getting mileage based exit numbers sometime in 2020.

[abqtraveler]

I did not know that about CT 72, being a logged north/south route.  Come to think of it, when it did extend south to CT 66 in Middletown, it was largely more of a N/S routing.  I'd assume (or can I?) that it will get mile markers and thus, we'll know what it will get as far as exit numbering.  Since all signs are being replaced/modified at the same time, that is generally the candidate for an exit number conversion.  CT 9, on the other hand, will most likely be set up as "mileage-ready" on the new signs (wide enough to accommodate "##A" or "##B), but won't be converted since the southern 25 miles isn't having its signs replaced yet (but really should, as those date to the mid 80s).

There is a second sign replacement contract for Route 9 between I-91 and Middletown that us scheduled to be let later this fall, so renumbering exits with the first contract may not be entirely out of the picture.

[shadyjay]

For CT 9, I see two projects, both being advertised on 8/7... one from Exit 18 to Exit 24 and another from Exit 25 to Exit 31.  That still leaves some 25 miles of old signage to remain.  Now, if the project to remove the traffic lights gets off the ground, that'll take care of signs in Middletown, south down to around Exit 12.  That still leaves 20 miles.  Sure, the numbers could be changed on the old signs, but I doubt that would happen (I could see that happening if signs south of Exit 12 get replaced before the traffic light removal project gets going... this is the most likely scenario).

[jp the roadgeek]

It is interesting how in a few cases, CTDOT logs its highways differently from the posted directions on signs.  In addition to CT 72, CT 31 and CT 67 are logged east-west but are posted north-south.  Meanwhile, like CT 72, I-691 is also logged north-south but is posted east-west and has sequential exit numbers that go west to east.  It's a long read, but it's a handy reference.
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DOT/documents/dpolicy/hwylog/HighwayLogpdf.pdf?la=en

[Mergingtraffic]

Looks like CT is quietly upgrading the rest area signage.  A couple weeks ago, I noticed new signs in place of the button copy at the Stonington rest area on I-95. The replacements were BBS that said pretty much what the button copy signs said.

This one had a CBYD mark just behind it.  So it's days are numbered.


This is gone:


Then tonight, I saw at the Southington rest area on I-84 all the button copy and older brown directional signs were replaced with smaller white lettered on blue signs saying "Trucks/Campers" or "Car Parking." Other spots just had I-84 trailblazers.

RIP to this as it's gone:

[shadyjay]

Noticed some new signage at the North Stonington rest area/welcome center on I-95 South yesterday.  It is nice to see the areas spruced up a bit (though we mourn the loss of the button copy).  Also nice to see the welcome center rooms at the state line-vicinity areas restaffed and reopened. 

[jp the roadgeek]

Found this on the Town of Newington website.  CT 72 will indeed be getting mileage based exits, and they will start at CT 9 and head west.  CT 9 will retain sequential exit numbers for now. Interesting note: the CT 72 WB exit to New Britain Ave is shown as Exit 33 B in the plans.  Additionally, heading eastbound as the numbers go down, the Downtown New Britain exit is 1A, and CT 71 is 1B, which is backwards.  Also, it looks like the 84 ramps at the northern terminus of CT 9 will no longer be numbered, and Farmington will no longer be a control on the 72 WB ramp to 84 EB, nor will West Hartford on the CT 9 NB pull thrus at the 72 exit.  Finally, looks like all references to Ellis St have been removed from Exit 25 SB signage.

https://www.newingtonct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5481/Project-No-171-425-Plans

[kurumi]

CT 174 is one of those obscure routes for which there's an exit (CT 9, Exit 28A ("Downtown New Britain")), but no mention of the route, even on the new plans. Another is CT 173 on I-84.

[shadyjay]

Found this on the Town of Newington website.

The Final plans were released today, with several changes, but they do show mileage based exits for Route 72.   They're on the ConnDOT site. 

[KEVIN_224]

CT 174 is one of those obscure routes for which there's an exit (CT 9, Exit 28A ("Downtown New Britain")), but no mention of the route, even on the new plans. Another is CT 173 on I-84.

Unless you turn LEFT (east), CT Route 174's western end is by that ramp. CT Route 173 would be accessed from Exit 41 (South Main Street) in West Hartford. CT Route 71's northern terminus is at the same intersection. However, 71 is already signed just west of there for Exit 40 (Corbin's Corner).

[shadyjay]

As I stated above, the project to replace signs on CT 9, 15, & 72 was put out to bid today.  They are available for download here:
https://biznet.ct.gov/scp_search/BidDetail.aspx?CID=50648

The CT 9 project starts just south of Exit 18 in Cromwell and continues to the end of CT 9 at I-84, in two separate projects.  The Exits 18-24 contract includes replacement of signs on 5/15 within the town of Berlin, as well as the Willow Brook Connector (SR 571) (which will have its sole exit get a #).  The Exits 25-31 project includes replacement of signs on CT 72 from CT 9 out to CT 372 in Plainville.  CT 72 exits will be renumbered according to mileage, beginning with Exit 1 in New Britain and numbers increasing as you head west.  This is resulting from the fact that ConnDOT route logs list Route 72 mileage as a north/south highway (as we discussed earlier).

The projects eliminate all bridge-mounted signs.  Town line signs are identified with a second line which says "INCORPORATED ----" between the town name and "TOWN LINE".  This seems very similar to the typical two-lane town line signs.  All overhead support structures will be replaced, if they haven't already in a recent contract (only a couple gantries on CT 72 will remain).  Since all the gantries on CT 9 are from the 1980s-1993 time frame, they will all get replaced, most likely with 4-chord cantilevers or monotube bridge structures.  A lot of overheads are being removed in favor of ground-mount signage.  Also, the 3rd lane of CT 9 South which ended just a few hundred feet past Exit 25, will now end at Exit 25, turning that lane into an "exit only" lane.  New "lane ends" signs throughout CT 9 mounted overhead will be accompanied by the symbol and "LANE ENDS" text. 

Overall, I think the project signage looks good.  We'll lose the diagrammatic on CT 9 North just before I-91, one of a few post-exit mileage signs in the state (just past Exit 19), "THIS LANE ENDS" signs, and the I-84 ramps will lose their numbers (goodbye Exits 31/32).  Also, the unique (to CT) ramp signage around Exit 22 will be taken down, replaced with traditional individual route markers and town signs.  No ATTRACTIONS signs noted for installation on CT 9 either, which kind of struck me as odd. 

[jp the roadgeek]

I see the SR 571 exit getting a number.  Technically, we can call it mileage based because it's less than a mile from either end of the route.  I also noticed the NYC 2nd control removed from Exit 20S (should've  just changed the I-91 exits to 20A and 20B; wouldn't have been that hard to do).  Interesting that Hartford was added as a control to Exit 21 NB.  And still no love for Meriden either on Exit 20S NB or Exit 22 in each direction.  Personally, I would've added an ALT TO 5/15 SOUTH on the Exit 22 SB signage, as it's much easier to take that shortcut, and it was the only option prior to the Route 9 extension.  A couple of items that would drive MUTCD crazy that still exist on the new signs: the use of Berlin on the Christian Lane exit signage (street and town when you're already in that town; should just be Christian Lane), and Exit 19 SB with a route number, town, and street name on the sign (I also would've included a CT 3 reference, as it's right next to the exit). 

Back to the 9/72 plans; I see that Ella Grasso no longer gets any love on Exit 29 SB (just as Ellis St won't on 25 SB signage) as it will now only reference the TO 175 part that currently is located on the bottom half of current signage.

[abqtraveler]

I see the SR 571 exit getting a number.  Technically, we can call it mileage based because it's less than a mile from either end of the route.  I also noticed the NYC 2nd control removed from Exit 20S (should've  just changed the I-91 exits to 20A and 20B; wouldn't have been that hard to do).  Interesting that Hartford was added as a control to Exit 21 NB.  And still no love for Meriden either on Exit 20S NB or Exit 22 in each direction.  Personally, I would've added an ALT TO 5/15 SOUTH on the Exit 22 SB signage, as it's much easier to take that shortcut, and it was the only option prior to the Route 9 extension.  A couple of items that would drive MUTCD crazy that still exist on the new signs: the use of Berlin on the Christian Lane exit signage (street and town when you're already in that town; should just be Christian Lane), and Exit 19 SB with a route number, town, and street name on the sign (I also would've included a CT 3 reference, as it's right next to the exit). 

Back to the 9/72 plans; I see that Ella Grasso no longer gets any love on Exit 29 SB (just as Ellis St won't on 25 SB signage) as it will now only reference the TO 175 part that currently is located on the bottom half of current signage.

So the project plans keep Route 9's numbers sequential...for now. I surmise that exit numbers on Route 9 will be converted to mile-based when they replace signage from Middletown to I-95. But right now, that's not even on ConnDOT's radar screen, looking at the advertising outlook. Those are some old signs, so I wonder when they will let a contract to replace them.

[shadyjay]

Why was Exit 19 SB allowed to keep both "Cromwell" and "West St", but Exit 19 NB is now just "West St"?  Perhaps because southbound, Exit 19 is the only Cromwell exit?  Yes, CT 3 should've been added to the signs both ways. 

For Exit 21 NB, it makes sense for "Hartford" to be listed, as that's what's currently listed on the secondary signage for "TO 5/15 NORTH".  Personally, I think "Berlin Tpke" or "Newington" would make better sense.  And definitely for Exit 21 SB, "Berlin Tpke" would've been nice to see. 

I want to say that "Meriden" was originally used on a sign for Exit 20S years ago, back when CT 9 ended at I-91, so sometime before 1989.  Actually it would've been a couple years before then, because signs south of I-91 were replaced before the extension west of I-91.  The signs for Exit 20-NB were then modified to include pull-throughs for CT 9. 

As far as signs to the south, my guess is that a project would tackle I-95 up to Exit 12 (Middletown).  Existing button copy signs could get overlays with new numbers through the traffic light zone if a reconstruction there is imminent. 

[Duke87]

I'm not sure whether to hate or love that CT 72's new exit numbers will be "backwards".

On the one hand, it violates standard convention. On the other hand, it sort of reveals some history about CT 72... and would be a neat vestige if the exits had always been numbered in that direction.

[KEVIN_224]

I think the third lane at Exit 25 (Ellis Street) for CT Route 9 already ends at the exit. Just walked over that bridge yesterday and should've looked.

The only number we could have for the Willow Brook Connector is 1 (CT Route 71). It would just cause confusion to call that Exit 24A.

Would the newer section of CT Route 72 in Bristol get numbers? I'm guessing no, since that's not quite an expressway. Would the exits merged with I-84 only see the interstate's exit numbers?

[shadyjay]

The third lane southbound continues just a tad bit past the exit.  It's essentially an "exit only" lane, but not signed as such.  See here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6583148,-72.773252,3a,24.7y,157.19h,86.45t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1sdZEyr7CcxdProwIz1xbKCw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DdZEyr7CcxdProwIz1xbKCw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D56.577244%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100

The new section of CT 72 through (almost) Bristol has no interchanges... just intersections.  What is now CT 72 Exit 2 (to CT 372) will become Exit 33B. 


Regarding the exit sequence on CT 72, prior to CT 9 replacing CT 72 through Berlin/New Britain, CT 72 had no exit numbers.  The portion west of CT 9 didn't get numbers until sometime in the late 1990s. 

What will be interesting is whether I-691's exits will be renumbered that way as well (when its signs are replaced at some point in the future), given that route is "backwards mile'd" as well.

[shadyjay]

I can now confirm the Rest Area/Info Center on I-95 NB in Westbrook is definitely reopening soon.  Drove by it this afternoon.  The windows are no longer boarded up and ConnDOT was seen sprucing up the grounds.  The guardrail through the pavement on the ramp has been removed, replaced with temporary barrels. 

[Mergingtraffic]

My notes and amusings:


1) What I don't get is why does CT DOT not put extruded aluminum warning signs up ahead of the Middletown traffic lights?  Instead they prefer to just install "two-pole" signal ahead warning diamond signs.  I mention that because SB that would fall into this contract as there is an Exit 16 1/2 mile sign.  (There isn't even a 1 Mile advance sign listed!)

The wimpy signal ahead signs that are in the contract will be knocked down the next time they mow.  Currently there's a signal ahead sign with a small "1 Mile" banner underneath southbound.  Now they're be changed to just "AHEAD"   However, the ones on CT-72 are improved and on CT-9 NB after CT-72 the warning signs are improved.  I would just like to see more warning for something that could actually cause an accident such as the traffic lights in the middle of an expressway.  Hopefully they'll be removed sooner than expected.


2) CT-72 West the exits will go from Exit 3 to Exit 33B to Exit 6.  LOL 

3) Also,  notice the "Robinson Airport" sign which was put up this past year will be replaced.  And it'll be returned to the town of Plainville.  It's not even a year old.


4) On projects like on CT-8, if they added the service symbols they would replace the whole sign (Exit 19 1/2 Mile advance NB) but on this project they add them on a separate sign.

5) Nice inclusion of Woodford Ave on the CT-72 signs.

6) I was hoping a BGS would come back to this spot. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6475829,-72.7912887,3a,75y,126.47h,85.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stlgITxr7fu5-gj--INyt0g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656


7) US-5/CT-15  SB it looks like the CT-9 South 1/2 Mile BGS will be removed? The same with the BGS on the ramp from CT-9 SB to CT-15/US-5.  https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6228516,-72.7422263,3a,75y,193.36h,85.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqW82gmKeIbW9c4uvHcesAA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

8) What about the BGS signage on CT-372 at CT-572? 

[shadyjay]

RE:#1
What they're putting up is better than what we have now (faded signs).  But I agree, something like "EXPRESSWAY ENDS / SIGNAL AHEAD' would be nice.  I suggested this years ago.  But maybe, just maybe, the lights will go away at some point in the not-to-distant future. 

The Exit 16 1/2 mile sign is shown with an aligned exit tab, but with the label "NOT IN CONTRACT".  Most likely any elimination of the lights would result in this exit serving both directions of CT 66 (and perhaps lead to a reroute of CT 17) and at that time, a suitable 1 Mile sign may be added.  The distance between the existing sign and actual exit may change.  We just don't know yet. 



RE:  #7 and #8
According to the plans, the BGSs formerly located in these locations is being replaced with individual route shields/arrows.  A BGS, however, will replace existing individual route shields at the CT 372 onramp to 5/15 North. 

Typical 2-lane standalone shields and placques for "JCT" "9" "372" will be installed to replace existing BGSs on either side of the CT 9/372 intersections on 5/15.  Kind of strange that there will be no "9 SOUTH 1/2 mile" BGS posted.  The existing bridge-mounted overhead for "9 SOUTH" on 5/15 South is being replaced as part of the state's random statewide overhead sign replacement project and will become a ground-mount sign.