Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto held a groundbreaking ceremony this week to commemorate the start of the second construction phase of the three-phase project to reconfigure the highway interchange connecting Interstate 91, Interstate 691, and State Route 15 in Meriden.
The interchange has historically been one of the most congested and outdated highway corridors in Connecticut. The reconfiguration project, overseen by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), carries the goal of reducing congestion and improving safety by eliminating dangerous waving points, correcting roadway geometry, and adding multi-lane exits.
It is supported by a combination of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and state funding authorized by the Lamont administration.
“This interchange is consistently one of the most congested and dangerous sections of highway in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said at the press conference. “Reconfiguring this highway to improve safety and traffic flow is directly connected with our ability to encourage businesses to locate, expand, and grow jobs in the region because it serves as a critical link for passengers and freight connecting critical corridors between New York and Massachusetts.”
The groundbreaking was attended by Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, as well as several state and local officials.
“I am pleased to be here today on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to celebrate the start of the second phase of construction of this critically important highway interchange for drivers in Connecticut who rely on this corridor to get to their destinations,” Administrator Bhatt said at the press conference. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are committed to getting things done for the American people, creating opportunities that improve safety and quality of life, and making sure federal dollars are helping to modernize our transportation infrastructure all over the country.”
The second phase that is now underway includes:
- Adding a new two-lane exit ramp from State Route 15 northbound to I-91 northbound to reduce traffic congestion on the Exit 68 N-E ramp.
- Closing the existing Exit 17 ramp from I-91 northbound to State Route 15 northbound and re-routing traffic to Exit 16 to provide a two-lane exit ramp with a right-side traffic merge onto Route 15 northbound.
- Widening the existing Exit 68W ramp from State Route 15 northbound to I-691 westbound to two lanes.
- Reconfiguring the acceleration and deceleration lanes to provide adequate traffic weaving distances.
Three-phase project is slated for completion by 2030.
Source: The Office of Governor Ned Lamont, The Register Citizen
