Connecticut News

[RobbieL2415]

There is one at the eastern end of I-384. It's the flyover ramp carrying EB US 6/44.

[abqtraveler]

I've never seen a pin & hanger bridge before in person this has a retrofit but how many are still use in the state?

There are still a lot of bridges in Connecticut with pin-and-hanger assemblies. CTDOT has been trying to replace bridges with pin-and-hanger assemblies, or retrofit the assemblies to eliminate the single point of failure that is inherent in their design (think: Mianus River Bridge collapse in 1983).

[jp the roadgeek]

Managed to get a couple of shots of the signs on I-91 near CT 15 that @shadyjay mentioned the other day.

[Rothman]

Eesh.

[shadyjay]

So, looking at the Exit 17 sign in more detail, we notice several things:

*  This is not a new sign
*  The lower half, which displayed "East Main St" was replaced with the "PASSENGER VEHICLES ONLY" banner.
*  The WCP logo is added to the left of the "15" shield.  As far as I know, this is the first and only
   instance of the WCP logo used on an overhead guide sign. 

Rregarding the WCP shield, I've only seen it posted in two other locations in the past:  on the Milford Parkway onramp from US 1 in Milford and from CT 63/69 in New Haven.  Both of these locations no longer have the shield.  The sign plans for this exit originally called for a new gantry replacing the Exit 17 & 18 signs and eliminating the pull-thrus. It was most likely altered since I-91 Southbound in this area is due for a full reconstruction in the near future, similar to what's being done NB.  Eventually the I-691 West exit ramp will be 2 lanes wide and the ramps to East Main St & CT 15 South will be split up.  That could be why East Main St was taken off the present Exit 17 sign.  However, East Main St is still accessible off the existing Exit 17 and open to all vehicles, despite the "PASSENGER VEHICLES ONLY" restriction.  Said restriction doesn't occur for another 1/2 mile once on Rt 15 South, as there is still a "last chance" exit back to I-91 South for prohibited vehicles.

But again, one has to wonder why the WCP shield is posted at all.  I'm not complianing, but it just seems like an odd choice for CTDOT.  Will a wild resigning project in the future add a "Connecticut Turnpike" shield on an overhead?  Will "Merritt Parkway" logos adourn a future US 7 resigning?  My guess is that this will be short lived, as once the final project plans are out for the I-91 South portion of "Meriden Mix", all signage in the area southbound will be replaced, complete with new exits, lanes, ramps, etc.

https://i-91i-691route15interchange.com/

[jp the roadgeek]

I would hope that the WCP shield remains, but is moved to the right of the CT 15 shield, but it is redundant to have a shield and the name of the road as a control.  What really should be done on future signage (assuming a 91 pull thru would remove NYC and leave only New Haven as a control) is to make NYC the control here for the WCP.  Also ideally, a TO CT 66 East would be added to the East Main St exit signage.  I came up with this as an idea for a design before the reconstruction plans.

[Ted$8roadFan]

It'd also be cool if the state utilized the old Connecticut Turnpike shields.

[RobbieL2415]

I don't see any issue with the aforementioned signs.

The WCP deserves to be signed just as much as the Merritt Parkway.

The change from white to yellow for the truck prohibition message is obviously for greater visibility. Those assemblies aren't long for this world, anyway. They'll go away once the second phase of the interchange reconstruction is done.

[MikeCL]

Ok finally found out so the Exit 6 off ramp is getting a auxiliary lane to exit

This is what it says on the DOT site

This project involves construction of an auxiliary lane on I-95 SB from Exit 7 to Exit 6 in Stamford to provide operational improvements and also includes resurfacing, bridge, and safety improvements on I-95 in both directions between these Exits.

It looks like the supports for the sound barriers are coming along I wonder what changes will be coming for the bridge?

[connroadgeek]

Ok finally found out so the Exit 6 off ramp is getting a auxiliary lane to exit

This is what it says on the DOT site

This project involves construction of an auxiliary lane on I-95 SB from Exit 7 to Exit 6 in Stamford to provide operational improvements and also includes resurfacing, bridge, and safety improvements on I-95 in both directions between these Exits.

It looks like the supports for the sound barriers are coming along I wonder what changes will be coming for the bridge?

Both bridges, Fairfield Ave and Wilson St, should be replaced. They look to be in pretty rough shape. Not sure how much an auxiliary lane is going to help there though because the main cause of traffic is all the weaving from close on and off ramps. Probably get more bang for the buck closing the Washington Blvd on-ramp or moving exit 6 to the other side of West Ave so that it makes a more traditional diamond interchange at Harvard Ave.

[MikeCL]

Ok finally found out so the Exit 6 off ramp is getting a auxiliary lane to exit

This is what it says on the DOT site

This project involves construction of an auxiliary lane on I-95 SB from Exit 7 to Exit 6 in Stamford to provide operational improvements and also includes resurfacing, bridge, and safety improvements on I-95 in both directions between these Exits.

It looks like the supports for the sound barriers are coming along I wonder what changes will be coming for the bridge?

Both bridges, Fairfield Ave and Wilson St, should be replaced. They look to be in pretty rough shape. Not sure how much an auxiliary lane is going to help there though because the main cause of traffic is all the weaving from close on and off ramps. Probably get more bang for the buck closing the Washington Blvd on-ramp or moving exit 6 to the other side of West Ave so that it makes a more traditional diamond interchange at Harvard Ave.

I'm trying to figure out so the sound barriers and the abutment with this so called auxiliary lane is going to play out.. and I meant to ask sooner but I see you're talking about NB and while I think that side is going to get work as well it looks like they are doing the SB side first I assume it will still dump but Grenheart road

[Mergingtraffic]

The AUX lane on I-95 SB seemed to pop up quick.  Usually these things take years to develop.

A couple signing notes:
CT-8 has new exit numbers the whole way.  No new signs yet.  Gantry foundations are in for BGS  on the ramps of CT-8 in Waterbury and Riverside St. The OLD EXIT 4 signs aren't even metal, they're plastic that would be used for road work signs.

So from the first I-395 exit number project, they went from extruded aluminum OLD EXIT NUMBER tabs, so green sheet metal on stand alone poles and now to black on yellow signs that are plastic. You can see the lettering from behind the sign.

I also noticed CT doesn't like channelized right turns at intersections, they have removed a few over the past few years meanwhile it seems to be the norm in states like PA.

[jp the roadgeek]

Looks like SR 695 has been upgraded to a full interstate.  Story here

[The Ghostbuster]

Of course, the road is still CT 695, as it has always been. Is it better that 695 is unsigned, or could it have been signposted without causing too much confusion?

[RobbieL2415]

Looks like SR 695 has been upgraded to a full interstate.  Story here

This could be an AI-generated article.

[shadyjay]

Wouldn't be the first time.  I've seen map graphics on the news with an I-695 shield.  I've seen US shields for state routes as well. 

[bob7374]

Of course, the road is still CT 695, as it has always been. Is it better that 695 is unsigned, or could it have been signposted without causing too much confusion?

One of the TV stations in Boston had a report on this story and said it took place on 'Route 695.'

[Ted$8roadFan]

Of course, the road is still CT 695, as it has always been. Is it better that 695 is unsigned, or could it have been signposted without causing too much confusion?

One of the TV stations in Boston had a report on this story and said it took place on 'Route 695.'

Not surprising for a Boston TV station.

[abqtraveler]

Of course, the road is still CT 695, as it has always been. Is it better that 695 is unsigned, or could it have been signposted without causing too much confusion?

I would just say call it the Connecticut Turnpike, which is what it is.

[shadyjay]

Noticed two new temporary ground-mounted sheet aluminum "exit now" signs to replace those that have been destroyed along Interstate 91:
SB at Exit 21, NB at Exit 47W

The Exit 21 SB sign has been gone for almost a year now.  The Exit 47W one was mounted on the overpass until a crane took it out a couple weeks ago.  Interestingly, the ground mount temporary sign has a bottom legend that says "RIGHT LANE ONLY".  The "NORTH 91" pull-thru is now the only sign left on the overpass. 

[Ted$8roadFan]

Big changes coming to I-95, relatively speaking:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/connecticut/changes-i95-stamford-traffic-jams-what-to-know/5923658/

[bmitchelf]

Big changes coming to I-95, relatively speaking:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/connecticut/changes-i95-stamford-traffic-jams-what-to-know/5923658/

Does anyone actually believe this is going to cut down on traffic jams?

[The Ghostbuster]

Probably not. The Interstate 95 corridor along the former Connecticut Turnpike seems like a hopelessly congested corridor with little room for improvements. Of course, I've never actually traveled the 95 corridor, and am basing my opinion on what I've read about it.

[shadyjay]

The Stamford project may help in that area, but the main problem is from Bridgeport down to Stamford.  What's the solution?  Well, there isn't an easy solution in this corridor - its pretty built up and not much room for expansion without spending A LOT of money.  You're absolutely right in your assumption, Ghostbuster.

Would closing some onramps help?  Perhaps, as traffic slows with that traffic trying to merge in. 

Has the median work helped?  I think so, as it gives motorists a second option if there is an accident or breakdown... it can be moved off to either the inner or outer shoulders and out of the travel lane. 

Should the breakdown lane be a travel lane during peak hours/in the peak direction?  I'm not a fan of that, but if you're going to do it, do it on the inner shoulder (possible in most locations due to the new median, except on some bridges).

I'd like to see a 2 lane express setup built, which would be reversible depending on time of day, giving the road a 3-2-3 profile.  You'd have to widen on either side in order to maintain 3 mainline lanes.  That's A LOT of bridges to modify/replace.  And of course, TOLL the express lanes.  Have a slip ramp every so often back to the main lanes.  How to pay for this project?  Put a toll at the state line.  That way most CT residents wouldn't have to pay it. 

But I-95 isn't the only problem... I-84 which is the main truck route in/out of New England needs a 3rd lane west of Waterbury down to Danbury and then to I-684. 

How do I get around I-95?  I take Metro North as often as I can if I'm going down to either Norwalk, Stamford, New York, etc.  I did drive down I-95 a couple weeks ago on a Saturday morning and it wasn't bad, except for a lane closed due to road work. 

Unfortunately, the Connecticut Turnpike was built as a commuter road, not as a long distance turnpike (like the MassPike, Thruway, PA Tpke, etc) so we're stuck with 30 interchanges in 30 miles.  I don't believe of any major freeway projects proposed back in the 1950s/1960s that would have helped traffic in this corridor... a proposed bridge across LI Sound that has been tossed around for decades would help the LIE/Bruckner in NYC more than CT.  Had CT 25 and US 7 been completed as proposed, they would've funneled even more traffic onto the turnpike. 

Its just something we're going to have to deal with for a long time, I reckon, regardless of how many operational lanes are built.

[bmitchelf]

I don't think they need a third lane all that way on 84, but they are working on proposals for an additional lane in Danbury. The additional lane in Waterbury was a great improvement. They really need to do something about the movements from 84W-684S and 684N-84E.