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[Dougtone]

I'm sure you'll find this article about Willimantic, Connecticut's Frog Bridge to be, well, ribbiting...
The Frog Bridge was built in 2000 to honor the Great Windham Frog Fight of 1754, which was a rather interesting event in local history.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/01/frog-bridge-willimantic-connecticut.html

[abqtraveler]

Since when is Disney World in Farmington?!?  Just saw this old article in my FB feed (read the headline in the article:

https://www.wfsb.com/news/vehicle-fire-closes-i-84-east-in-farmington/article_9307808c-6348-11ec-a43e-df555359a313.html

Another observation from the proposed Route 8 numbers: they’ve gone to rounding down again.  Once again, TOTAL inconsistency on rounding (Exit 51 is at MP 51.81).

Another oddity I see is how they renumber the two exits for Beacon Falls, both as Exit 21. That would be okay for the northbound exit, since Route 42 crosses under Route 8 right at MP 21. But the SB exit should be 22, since the offramp leaves Route 8 SB at around MP 22.4, and connect to East Main Street (which dead-ends just short of Route 8).

[RobbieL2415]

Speaking of road wear, what is the deal with I-84 from East Hartford to the Massachusetts border? That road is falling apart with the lane lines being a long series of cracks. Probably one of the worst maintained stretch of highway Connecticut has maintenance wise.

Which parts exactly?

The stretch from Exit 67 to the MA border was recently treated with an epoxy resin and is in great shape.

Both directions from Exit 63 to 67 have been resurfaced at separate times, but both within the past 5-10 years

The concrete segment from Exit 59 to 63 is what really needs to be replaced. Me thinks they're going to rehab everything in one fell swoop; seal and pave over the concrete, replace all BGSs, and convert to LED lighting.

[BlueOutback7]

I’m referring to the part that you just mentioned near Manchester around where I-291 and I-384 meet. There is certainly work to be done around there. I don’t know if ConnDOT has any sign rehab projects for the area, but I was last there Thanksgiving weekend and just happened to notice how rough it is. I may have gone too far there, I would think that Waterbury, Fairfield County, or the Merritt would have worse conditions. As for I-84, I will be in the area this weekend and will confirm.

EDIT - My trip is actually being delayed.

[abqtraveler]

Speaking of road wear, what is the deal with I-84 from East Hartford to the Massachusetts border? That road is falling apart with the lane lines being a long series of cracks. Probably one of the worst maintained stretch of highway Connecticut has maintenance wise.

Which parts exactly?

The stretch from Exit 67 to the MA border was recently treated with an epoxy resin and is in great shape.

Both directions from Exit 63 to 67 have been resurfaced at separate times, but both within the past 5-10 years

The concrete segment from Exit 59 to 63 is what really needs to be replaced. Me thinks they're going to rehab everything in one fell swoop; seal and pave over the concrete, replace all BGSs, and convert to LED lighting.

Google Maps street views from December 2021 along I-84 east of Hartford show recent resurfacing from between exits 70 and 71 to the MA state line. The pavement is in decent shape from Exit 69 to 70. West of Exit 69 the pavement is in real rough shape to Exit 67, then it gets better to between Exits 65 and 66. They resurfaced not too long ago between Exits 65 and 63, at which point you hit the concrete section. Indeed, the concrete section is looking pretty rough. Not sure if they're going to patch and grind smooth the concrete section like they did about 10 years ago or just overlay it with asphalt, but either way it needs some TLC.

[RobbieL2415]

Speaking of road wear, what is the deal with I-84 from East Hartford to the Massachusetts border? That road is falling apart with the lane lines being a long series of cracks. Probably one of the worst maintained stretch of highway Connecticut has maintenance wise.

Which parts exactly?

The stretch from Exit 67 to the MA border was recently treated with an epoxy resin and is in great shape.

Both directions from Exit 63 to 67 have been resurfaced at separate times, but both within the past 5-10 years

The concrete segment from Exit 59 to 63 is what really needs to be replaced. Me thinks they're going to rehab everything in one fell swoop; seal and pave over the concrete, replace all BGSs, and convert to LED lighting.

Google Maps street views from December 2021 along I-84 east of Hartford show recent resurfacing from between exits 70 and 71 to the MA state line. The pavement is in decent shape from Exit 69 to 70. West of Exit 69 the pavement is in real rough shape to Exit 67, then it gets better to between Exits 65 and 66. They resurfaced not too long ago between Exits 65 and 63, at which point you hit the concrete section. Indeed, the concrete section is looking pretty rough. Not sure if they're going to patch and grind smooth the concrete section like they did about 10 years ago or just overlay it with asphalt, but either way it needs some TLC.

They would probably mill the surface down and apply asphalt and the epoxy resin.
It's also not just the mainline. The C/D ramps will need it too.

[shadyjay]

New sheet aluminum signs going up on I-91.  Currently, from (at least) Exit 22 to Exit 44 is done (except for median signs and in the Hartford/Exit 29 work zone).  The new signs include speed limits, exit gores, "Slower Traffic Keep Right", and new reassurance shields mounted on a single post (and they're neutered).  The enhanced mile markers were also replaced with a larger font and there are new overhead bridge IDs as well. 

I believe this is part of a project to replace sheet aluminum signs statewide on the interstates.  I saw some new signs on I-95 last week, but the new reassurance shields on I-91 today gave me a surprise!

[jp the roadgeek]

New sheet aluminum signs going up on I-91.  Currently, from (at least) Exit 22 to Exit 44 is done (except for median signs and in the Hartford/Exit 29 work zone).  The new signs include speed limits, exit gores, "Slower Traffic Keep Right", and new reassurance shields mounted on a single post (and they're neutered).  The enhanced mile markers were also replaced with a larger font and there are new overhead bridge IDs as well. 

I believe this is part of a project to replace sheet aluminum signs statewide on the interstates.  I saw some new signs on I-95 last week, but the new reassurance shields on I-91 today gave me a surprise!

Seems they’re doing northbound first.  Between now and April, I’ll be traveling 91 between 84 and Exit 37 quite a bit.  Did so yesterday and that MP 44 snafu I mentioned upthread has been corrected.  However, the mile markers are off by at least 0.2 from the old ones.  MP 44.6 is now south of the CT 305 overpass but was north of it with the old markers.  Seems the old CTDOT highway log had the 305 overpass at 44.5, but the latest one (12/31/20) has it at MP 44.67.

[shadyjay]

Drove I-91 south all the way to New Haven today on my way back from VT.  The new sheet aluminum signs seem to begin northbound in Meriden.  And they're up to past Exit 45 now.  Lots of median signs still to be replaced however (speed limits, truck left lane prohibition etc).  The double-sided extra thick 91 numeral reassurance shield at Exit 40 SB is still there.  No work SB yet... forgot how many reassurance shields in Wallingford and North Haven are in bad shape.... even saw one with the direction banner under the shield!

Also...

Was this really necessary? 
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4032424,-72.8377521,3a,60y,221.36h,93.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sATRPb05RRtPLP09iupHCrw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Mergingtraffic]

CT-17/US-7 interchange update:

I was reading the comments and meeting minutes from the last public update from late 2021.  I cannot believe how far up Alt 26 has reached,which is putting stoplights on US-7 at the CT-15 ramps.  It's like a political election, you're waiting to see who is the winner. I'm rooting for Alt 21D with NO stoplights.


Just go to page 5 and read the general comments about induced demand and other forms of transportation.  If this were Texas, none of this would even be mentioned. This is the poster child project for NIMBYism and the Bike/Ped movement.

http://7-15norwalk.com/documents/2021-11-30and12-1%20Q-A%20Session%20Meeting%20Summary.pdf

[kernals12]

CT-17/US-7 interchange update:

I was reading the comments and meeting minutes from the last public update from late 2021.  I cannot believe how far up Alt 26 has reached,which is putting stoplights on US-7 at the CT-15 ramps.  It's like a political election, you're waiting to see who is the winner. I'm rooting for Alt 21D with NO stoplights.


Just go to page 5 and read the general comments about induced demand and other forms of transportation.  If this were Texas, none of this would even be mentioned. This is the poster child project for NIMBYism and the Bike/Ped movement.

http://7-15norwalk.com/documents/2021-11-30and12-1%20Q-A%20Session%20Meeting%20Summary.pdf

If it makes you feel better, the 2019 meeting had several commenter advocating for the extension of Super 7
http://7-15norwalk.com/documents/7-15%20Scoping%20Summary_FINAL_Jan20192.pdf

[The Ghostbuster]

From what I hear about transportation in Connecticut, I expect they will do either Alt. 26, or they won't do anything at all. As for those advocating extending Super 7, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN (those advocating it, and almost everyone else, would probably be screaming "bloody murder" against it if there was even a sliver of a possibility that it might happen)! I would be completely shocked if even 1 inch of new freeway or parkway was ever constructed within the state of Connecticut.

[MikeTheActuary]

I don't recall seeing it mentioned here, but while running an errand this afternoon on I-91 northbound, I observed that there are little green signs posted identifying a couple of the state highways crossing the interstate on overpasses.

The one that caught my eye:  "CT 510"

It is not present in this GSV image from December 2021: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9429376,-72.60614,3a,75y,11h,88.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sY7NiPMgqMbt7ETL5xp_g_A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[abqtraveler]

From what I hear about transportation in Connecticut, I expect they will do either Alt. 26, or they won't do anything at all. As for those advocating extending Super 7, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN (those advocating it, and almost everyone else, would probably be screaming "bloody murder" against it if there was even a sliver of a possibility that it might happen)! I would be completely shocked if even 1 inch of new freeway or parkway was ever constructed within the state of Connecticut.

I would say the "No-Build" option would be better than Alternative 26.  Anyone who thinks of putting a traffic light on a freeway with traffic going at 70 MPH must be insane!

[BlueOutback7]

CT 9 in Middletown says hi.

[abqtraveler]

CT 9 in Middletown says hi.

But Route 9 in Middletown was a situation where the surface road with traffic lights were there before the freeway was built, so there is some reasoning behind that. There is no logical reason behind putting a traffic light on the Route 7 freeway. I would say leave the interchange alone--it works just fine as it is. 

[BlueOutback7]

Who puts a traffic light on a freeway anyways? Only Connecticut.

[vdeane]

Who puts a traffic light on a freeway anyways? Only Connecticut.

Not trying to defend Connecticut here, but Pennsylvania says hello.

[yakra]

Oh, this is easy!

[cl94]

Regarding the 7/15 interchange, one thing you need to remember here is that CT 15 is the Merritt Parkway. That road is the poster child for NIMBYism. You cannot do anything that significantly alters the character of that road without insane public opposition, which means no new bridges over the road. Because of this, CT's hands are tied when it comes to completing that interchange. The expressway ends a mile to the north with zero chance of ever being extended. I wouldn't say that new freeways in Connecticut are completely out of the question, but they likely are in Fairfield County.

[BlueOutback7]

There really is nothing you can do about the CT 15/US 7 interchange. You would need to demolish businesses to make it happen. US 7 has way too much development in the way to be able to punch a limited access freeway through there without causing a fuss. Fairfield County has always been NIMBY and will remain that way. Connecticut is a tough place to build anything.

[abqtraveler]

Who puts a traffic light on a freeway anyways? Only Connecticut.

Not trying to defend Connecticut here, but Pennsylvania says hello.

Yes, there is the I-70 Breezewood mess and I-180 surface road in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I've driven on I-180 in Cheyenne and there's not a whole lot of traffic on it. Still don't know why they signed it as an interstate since it's also signed as BUSINESS I-25 and US-87.

And let's not forget a lot of New York's parkways that have substantial freeway sections, then suddenly you hit a traffic light placed at the most random spots.

While we're at it, there's I-676 in Philadelphia that becomes a surface road with traffic lights just before the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and I-78 on the New Jersey approach to the Holland Tunnel that does the same thing.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Who puts a traffic light on a freeway anyways? Only Connecticut.

As is the case for all New England states, Connecticut has talked for years about improvements to the traffic lights on Route 9 in Middletown. At one point, some organization had proposed re-routing Route 9 over the Connecticut River into Portland and then back into Cromwell north of the lights. Obviously, this would benefit Middletown, as it would free up lots of riverfront real estate. And obviously, it didn’t happen.

I believe the state’s latest plans promise to do that, but even if they did, it would take years to happen. I would imagine that numerous obstacles will have to be overcome, such as cost, bureaucracy, labor and supply issues, NIMBYism, and environmental issues with the floodplain.

[yakra]

Wasn't there a Middletown plan involving left exits a few years back?

[kurumi]

Wasn't there a Middletown plan involving left exits a few years back?

yes: https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Projects/0082-0318-Route-9-Middletown-Home. Active 2016 - 2018