CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: December 4, 2007	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

Work on Merritt Parkway ‘Rock Pile’

And Route 7 Connector to Begin Shortly

[Project # 102-330]

NEWINGTON, CT – Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter announced today that work to remove the rock pile at the Merritt Parkway/ Route 7 interchange, and the removal of a wall of rock at the end of the Route 7 expressway, both in Norwalk, are set to begin by mid-December. Preliminary site work has already begun.

Last month, the DOT awarded a $671,550 contract to M. Rondano Construction Inc. of Norwalk to address both projects. The Rondano bid was well below the DOT’s estimate of $1 million. The highest bid, among six received, was $1.7 million.

The rock pile remains from previous work on a new Merritt/Route 7 interchange, which is now being redesigned by the DOT with input from the Merritt Parkway Conservancy and other interested parties.

The wall at the end of the Route 7 connector, at the intersection of Grist Mill Road, will be blasted out and removed.  In its place, Rondano will construct a gently sloping incline, designed to slow and stop wayward vehicles. Existing “attenuation impact” barriers and ample signage will remain as part of this safety enhancement project. The "T" intersection has been the site of several accidents and some fatalities.

DOT expects these projects to be completed in the spring of 2008.