Connecticut News

[Ted$8roadFan]

Why does I-95 have no Exits 77,78,and 79?

It's Exit 76 for I-395 and Exit 80 for Old Mill Road in Waterford.

That's because they didn't want to have duplicate exit numbers on I-95 past the I-395 split since exit numbers on I-395 used to continue I-95's exit numbers.

It would help if/when the state finally converts I-95's exit numbers from sequential numbers to mileage-based numbers.

[roadman65]

Why does I-95 have no Exits 77,78,and 79?

It's Exit 76 for I-395 and Exit 80 for Old Mill Road in Waterford.

That's because they didn't want to have duplicate exit numbers on I-95 past the I-395 split since exit numbers on I-395 used to continue I-95's exit numbers.

It would help if/when the state finally converts I-95's exit numbers from sequential numbers to mileage-based numbers.

The signs will be replaced on I-95 when the current ones are out of date.

Hopefully soon as the overheads on the Gold Star Bridge still have centered exit tabs and the Left CT 184 exit has no yellow LEFT tab.

[connroadgeek]

The signs will be replaced on I-95 when the current ones are out of date.

Hopefully soon as the overheads on the Gold Star Bridge still have centered exit tabs and the Left CT 184 exit has no yellow LEFT tab.

I-95 will get mileage based exit numbers last. Last plan I saw was 2029, so realistically we're probably at least a decade away.

[roadman65]

Hope they add mileage signs too. Many Interstates in Connecticut don't use them.  I thought that NJ was bad, however I did see one on the Merit Parkway entering the state from NY and there is one in Greenwich also on I-95, though using Bridgeport and not New Haven in uniform with control city guides.

[abqtraveler]

Why does I-95 have no Exits 77,78,and 79?

It’s Exit 76 for I-395 and Exit 80 for Old Mill Road in Waterford.

That’s because they didn’t want to have duplicate exit numbers on I-95 past the I-395 split since exit numbers on I-395 used to continue I-95’s exit numbers.

That was back from when the exits were numbered based on the Connecticut Turnpike routing. The I-95 designation was added from NY to Waterford shortly after the Turnpike was completed, and I-395 was added from Waterford to Killingly in the early 1980s, that also included the "free" section of I-395 from Killingly to Massachusetts. Interestingly, exit numbers on the "free" section of I-395 were a continuation of the Turnpike's numbering, which is why you had Exit 100 just before the Massachusetts state line. Since the Connecticut Turnpike was de-tolled, exit numbers and mileposts were reset along the I-395 section to reflect I-395 mileage rather than Turnpike mileage; the latter occurring in the late 1980s and the former occurring in 2015.

The other reason I've heard about the lack of Exits 77 through 79 on I-95 had to do with those numbers being reserved for the Route 11 freeway that was to have been extended to intersect I-95 either at or very close to the I-395 split. But after 50 years of back-and-forth, any extension of Route 11 to I-95 is pretty much dead.

[shadyjay]

I've always wondered too why they skipped I-95 exits from 76 to 81 (NB) / 80 to 75 (SB).  My youngest recollection of being on that part of I-95 was when CT 52 was still signed on the turnpike.  There was no number for today's Exit 76 back then, the number being added about the time CT 52 became I-395.  Perhaps the reasoning behind the skipping of numbers was that Exit 81 may have been Exit 1, Exit 82 as Exit 2, and so on.  One theory behind this is that I once observed an exit sign that looked like the "8" was tacked on after the sign was fabricated. 

I also remember back in the CT 52 to I-395 days, they were really stingy on button copy lettering.  The "NORTH" letters from the I-95 sign was moved over to the I-395 sign (which previously said "CONN/TPKE" instead of "NORTH".  The I-95 pull-through was then devoid of direction from that time until 2000 when the signs were finally replaced.  Southbound at Exit 75, you had the odd "TurnPIke" lettering as well. 

[abqtraveler]

I've always wondered too why they skipped I-95 exits from 76 to 81 (NB) / 80 to 75 (SB).  My youngest recollection of being on that part of I-95 was when CT 52 was still signed on the turnpike.  There was no number for today's Exit 76 back then, the number being added about the time CT 52 became I-395.  Perhaps the reasoning behind the skipping of numbers was that Exit 81 may have been Exit 1, Exit 82 as Exit 2, and so on.  One theory behind this is that I once observed an exit sign that looked like the "8" was tacked on after the sign was fabricated. 

I also remember back in the CT 52 to I-395 days, they were really stingy on button copy lettering.  The "NORTH" letters from the I-95 sign was moved over to the I-395 sign (which previously said "CONN/TPKE" instead of "NORTH".  The I-95 pull-through was then devoid of direction from that time until 2000 when the signs were finally replaced.  Southbound at Exit 75, you had the odd "TurnPIke" lettering as well.

It's also interesting that they also spelled out "CONN TPKE" on most turnpike signage rather than using the Connecticut Turnpike shield (as is done on other toll roads throughout the country). In fact, I can recall there only being a scant number of Connecticut Turnpike shields, nearly all of them on local roads directing motorists to the nearest Turnpike interchange, and I don't recall any Connecticut Turnpike shields on the Turnpike itself, even before tolls were removed in the '80s.

[roadman65]

https://goo.gl/maps/VnCAWiBZeyoTQKq56
This assembly being changed out for this, is sort of sad.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3726358,-71.9680688,3a,75y,291.07h,86.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shUWw_mejX44TPkqI1XwjRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192


I am guessing its because of the MUTCD not allowing street names and communities, towns, and cities not to be signed together.

[shadyjay]

That change happened several years ago and was meant to direct traffic heading to Noank and Groton Long Point to utilize Exit 88/CT 117 to US 1.  This takes traffic away from Allyn Street and a residential area that is congested in the area of West Mystic, even though Allyn St is a state-maintained route.  It had nothing to do with not signing villages/towns with a street name. 

[kurumi]

That change happened several years ago and was meant to direct traffic heading to Noank and Groton Long Point to utilize Exit 88/CT 117 to US 1.  This takes traffic away from Allyn Street and a residential area that is congested in the area of West Mystic, even though Allyn St is a state-maintained route.  It had nothing to do with not signing villages/towns with a street name. 

For 10 days, back in 1973, Allyn Street had an official signed route number: 319. I don't know if signs were ever posted. There was opposition to promoting Allyn Street even further as a thru or access route, and the designation was withdrawn.

[roadman65]

I saw that Allyn Street is a residential road north of US 1.  I also saw CT 213 loops back to US 1 west of West Mystic closer to that other interchange that now directs motorists to Noank and Groton along Point. So resigning from the next SB exit isn't that much inconvenience.


Question about the Mianus River Bridge in Cos Cob. Is the current structure the same one that collapsed in 1983?  In other words did they just replace the missing piece or has CTDOT replaced the entire bridge? 

[Mergingtraffic]

Question about the Mianus River Bridge in Cos Cob. Is the current structure the same one that collapsed in 1983?  In other words did they just replace the missing piece or has CTDOT replaced the entire bridge? 

Completely new bridge with full in/out shoulders too.

TWO QUESTIONS:

1) When did CT STOP making the blue button copy signs for the Turnpike?
Obv, based on Michael Summa photos there were a mix-n-match of blue signs with the then new "non-reflective button copy" forest green signs.

When I-91 was completed and CT-8/25 they used the new green signage. 
This one still hangs on:


I'd imagine around 1978 or so, you'd see original blue signs for Exit 25 and then new non-reflective button copy for Exit 27 or Exit 27A etc.


2)

In the Michael Summa photo above, it's a photo of I-95 NB at Exit 47 for CT-34, then a left exit.  It shows I-95 is only 3-lanes through (4 including the Exit 47 off-ramp).  Years later it was 4-lanes through, 2 for I-91 and 2 for I-95 (5 including the Exit 47 off-ramp).  In the photo, it didn't look wide enough for a 4-lanes and it looks like a simple restriping wouldn't work.  When was I-95 widened to 4-through lanes through Exit 47 to the I-95/I-91 split??  (I'm not referring to the very recent improvements of the Pearl Harbor Bridge 2014 etc)

GSV from 2008 showing 4-lanes through at CT-34 exit 47.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.296881,-72.9162463,3a,75y,25.52h,83.89t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbkrtBF8WMGF0VhsHZiQjRQ!2e0!5s20080601T000000!7i3328!8i1664

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2974979,-72.9158711,3a,75y,14.4h,82.62t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYD8h-Rud8lpdEOKNqd_spQ!2e0!5s20080501T000000!7i3328!8i1664

[roadman65]

https://goo.gl/maps/W5pUvtKKrDdse14a9Q
Is there a reason why CT 34 got greened out for MLK?

[kurumi]

https://goo.gl/maps/W5pUvtKKrDdse14a9Q
Is there a reason why CT 34 got greened out for MLK?

Right around the time the 91/95/34 interchange was being reconstructed, a parallel effort was underway to remove much of the CT 34 freeway (Oak St Connector). The roadway is still officially CT 34, but most 34 markers have been removed to discourage its use for thru traffic.

There's a sign or two on I-95 directing motorists to use CT 10 to get to CT 34 (example: https://goo.gl/maps/x4Fx9GBrBGfDL2ff8, https://goo.gl/maps/uPsXtdm7skGff2L16)

The state may eventually truncate CT 34's east terminus to CT 10, and use a secret route number for the remainder.

[abqtraveler]

Question about the Mianus River Bridge in Cos Cob. Is the current structure the same one that collapsed in 1983?  In other words did they just replace the missing piece or has CTDOT replaced the entire bridge? 

Completely new bridge with full in/out shoulders too.

TWO QUESTIONS:

1) When did CT STOP making the blue button copy signs for the Turnpike?
Obv, based on Michael Summa photos there were a mix-n-match of blue signs with the then new "non-reflective button copy" forest green signs.

When I-91 was completed and CT-8/25 they used the new green signage. 
This one still hangs on:


I'd imagine around 1978 or so, you'd see original blue signs for Exit 25 and then new non-reflective button copy for Exit 27 or Exit 27A etc.


2)

In the Michael Summa photo above, it's a photo of I-95 NB at Exit 47 for CT-34, then a left exit.  It shows I-95 is only 3-lanes through (4 including the Exit 47 off-ramp).  Years later it was 4-lanes through, 2 for I-91 and 2 for I-95 (5 including the Exit 47 off-ramp).  In the photo, it didn't look wide enough for a 4-lanes and it looks like a simple restriping wouldn't work.  When was I-95 widened to 4-through lanes through Exit 47 to the I-95/I-91 split??  (I'm not referring to the very recent improvements of the Pearl Harbor Bridge 2014 etc)

GSV from 2008 showing 4-lanes through at CT-34 exit 47.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.296881,-72.9162463,3a,75y,25.52h,83.89t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbkrtBF8WMGF0VhsHZiQjRQ!2e0!5s20080601T000000!7i3328!8i1664

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2974979,-72.9158711,3a,75y,14.4h,82.62t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYD8h-Rud8lpdEOKNqd_spQ!2e0!5s20080501T000000!7i3328!8i1664

I remember that sign assembly at the old I-95/I-91/CT-34 interchange in New Haven. IIRC, the sign panels in the picture were blue--heavily faded by the time they were replaced around 1990. Similarly, I recall the signs for the Exit 39A/B cloverleaf at US Route 1 in Milford were also of similar design, but were green...again heavily faded before those were replaced around 1990 as well.

[roadman65]

Another oddity is that US 1 at the north end of Columbus Avenue in New Haven uses, Church Street to reach Union Avenue instead of remaining on the last full block of Columbus.

[shadyjay]

Because... until fairly recently, that portion of Columbus Ave was closed, as seen here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2989922,-72.9267415,3a,75y,264.32h,78.52t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYCOnMit1xgKNqPq3omTPQw!2e0!5s20190701T000000!7i16384!8i8192

[mvak36]

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-large-bridge-grants-infrastructure-law/639734/

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday the city of Chicago and transportation entities in California, Connecticut and Kentucky will each receive over $100 million in federal funds to make major bridge improvements.

...

$158 million to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the northbound structure of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, crossing I-95 over the Thames River in the state.

[abqtraveler]

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-large-bridge-grants-infrastructure-law/639734/

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday the city of Chicago and transportation entities in California, Connecticut and Kentucky will each receive over $100 million in federal funds to make major bridge improvements.

...

$158 million to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the northbound structure of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, crossing I-95 over the Thames River in the state.

What are they doing to the Gold Star Memorial Bridge such that it costs $158 million?

[RobbieL2415]

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-large-bridge-grants-infrastructure-law/639734/

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday the city of Chicago and transportation entities in California, Connecticut and Kentucky will each receive over $100 million in federal funds to make major bridge improvements.

...

$158 million to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the northbound structure of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, crossing I-95 over the Thames River in the state.

Money that could have been used to replace the Cape Cod Canal bridges, but whatever, and it's off-topic anyway.

[Rothman]

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-large-bridge-grants-infrastructure-law/639734/

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday the city of Chicago and transportation entities in California, Connecticut and Kentucky will each receive over $100 million in federal funds to make major bridge improvements.

...

$158 million to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the northbound structure of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, crossing I-95 over the Thames River in the state.

Money that could have been used to replace the Cape Cod Canal bridges, but whatever, and it's off-topic anyway.

What a weird comment to make given that the Cape Cod bridges cost is more than ten times that amount.  Gold Star needs work, too.

[roadman65]

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-large-bridge-grants-infrastructure-law/639734/

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday the city of Chicago and transportation entities in California, Connecticut and Kentucky will each receive over $100 million in federal funds to make major bridge improvements.

...

$158 million to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the northbound structure of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, crossing I-95 over the Thames River in the state.

Money that could have been used to replace the Cape Cod Canal bridges, but whatever, and it's off-topic anyway.

What a weird comment to make given that the Cape Cod bridges cost is more than ten times that amount.  Gold Star needs work, too.

The NB span opened in 1943. So yes, it probably needs it.

[MikeTheActuary]

Realigning I-84 / Hartford's mini big-dig is getting a little media attention again:  https://ctmirror.org/2023/01/06/ct-hartford-400-highway-traffic-plan-transportation-department/

Apparently the plan du jour has a new name ("Hartford 400", referencing Hartford's 400th anniversary next decade, in the hopes that it will incent the powers that be to move ahead in time for it), and has attracted a few design awards.

I don't think it's attracted the $15B+ needed to build it.

[abqtraveler]

Realigning I-84 / Hartford's mini big-dig is getting a little media attention again:  https://ctmirror.org/2023/01/06/ct-hartford-400-highway-traffic-plan-transportation-department/

Apparently the plan du jour has a new name ("Hartford 400", referencing Hartford's 400th anniversary next decade, in the hopes that it will incent the powers that be to move ahead in time for it), and has attracted a few design awards.

I don't think it's attracted the $15B+ needed to build it.

The Hartford 400 concept is rather interesting and provides an opportunity to fix what was broken when the highway system around Hartford was originally built. The main obstacles to this being successfully implemented are money and getting a large group of stakeholders on board with the project. Money and stakeholder  buy-in have thus far been elusive for any of the other concepts put forth to fix the highway mess in and around Hartford.  I hope the Hartford 400 doesn't meet the same fate.

[RobbieL2415]

Frankly, what Hartford needs is a bridge directly connecting local streets. But that's just me.