Connecticut News

[RobbieL2415]

Sign replacement contract is now out for bid, covering I-91 from Exit 40 to the Mass state line as well as the short CT 190 expressway. 

Items of note:

This removes all pull-thrus within the project limits, including spot replacements at NB Exit 42 & SB Exits 41 & 40. 

Attractions get the shaft... not even any sheets. 

"5 SOUTH"remains the route designation at Exit 44.  Guess they really don't want to advertise US 5 North off I-91 for this exit.

Some interesting mileage signs for the Exit 47 cloverleaf... we get a 2 mile, 1 mile, 3/4 mile combo sign (E-W) then the only split signage we get is at Exit 47-E. 

Thompsonville is gone from Exit 48 signage, and moved to Exit 49.  CT signage will now be the same as those that went up in Mass for CT Exit 49 during Mass' last sign replacement project on I-91. 

My observations:

-ConnDOT really doesn't want anyone using CT 190 and CT 159 to get to Six Flags, it seems. Not even a subtle mention -- no "To Agawam, Mass. USE Exit 47W", for example.

-There really should be signage warning traffic of heavy merges in the vic. of Exits 47-48.

-Don't agree with removing Longmeadow from the signage for Exit 49 NB

-Who tf is going to Stafford via I-91 N? I-84 to CT 32 seems like the faster route.

-Get rid of the text-based signs for truck prohibition. Use the pictograph signs MassDOT has up on I-91 in Longmeadow. No truck driver is going to read them.

-The HOV approach signs are too small IMO

[shadyjay]

Longmeadow will be on secondary ground-mount signage NB.

The Exit 47-48 merge is really no heavier than other merges.  It just seems heavier because its a cloverleaf.

Stafford Springs will be on secondary ground mount signage SB. 

Yes, they should use the pictograph but the problem is it doesn't include buses, which are also prohibited in CT from the left lane.  Not sure about Mass.

Agree, the HOV approach signs are quite small.  And why get rid of the I-91 pull-thru?  No reason why a full size APL can't be used for Exit 40 at Exit 41.

Also, don't understand why there's no longer any reference to any attractions.  Not even any sheets for the Trolley Museum. 

[RobbieL2415]

Longmeadow will be on secondary ground-mount signage NB.

The Exit 47-48 merge is really no heavier than other merges.  It just seems heavier because its a cloverleaf.

Stafford Springs will be on secondary ground mount signage SB. 

Yes, they should use the pictograph but the problem is it doesn't include buses, which are also prohibited in CT from the left lane.  Not sure about Mass.

Agree, the HOV approach signs are quite small.  And why get rid of the I-91 pull-thru?  No reason why a full size APL can't be used for Exit 40 at Exit 41.

Also, don't understand why there's no longer any reference to any attractions.  Not even any sheets for the Trolley Museum. 

Ahh, didn't see the Longmeadow ground-mounted signs in the highway design PDF, but it is in the cross section which I did not look in.

Fair enough about Stafford, I guess.

I suspect that going forward, and because of the speed at which we can get access to information, there will be fewer LOGO and services signs.

[MikeTheActuary]

I apologize if this has been shared before, but I was just introduced to it on Reddit and thought I'd share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6NtX8IfX74

It's the opening credits to the 1958 movie, "The Tunnel of Love", featuring a certain stretch of the Wilbur Cross Parkway (and presumably Hollywood-altered signage).