Route 1 in Branford to be Closed in Both Directions Between I95 South ramps Branford Connector and R

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NEWS RELEASE

2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546

NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: June 29, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062

FAX: (860) 594-3065

WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Route 1 in Branford to be Closed in Both Directions Between I-95 South ramps (Branford Connector) and Route 142 (Short Beach Road) Beginning 9 p.m. Saturday, July 14, until 12 p.m. on Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that U.S. Route 1 in Branford is scheduled to be closed to traffic to facilitate the installation of a new Box Culvert just north of the Amtrak Railroad Bridge. There will be no access to north or south along Route 1 between the I-95 on and off ramps at Exit 53, referred to as the Branford Connector, and Route 142 (Short Beach Road). The closure is currently scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday, July 14, until 12-noon on Sunday, July 15, 2012.

Preliminary roadway work will begin Friday night, July 13, at 8 PM with alternating one-way traffic in each direction, until 6 am on Saturday July 14, 2012. During the day on Saturday, one lane in each direction will be maintained until the full closure at 9 PM, Saturday, July 14.

The project, which began August 13, 2009, extends from Orchard Hill Road to the I-95 on and off ramps (Branford Connector). In addition to the installation of the new Amtrak Bridge, work will include the installation of a new box culvert at Mill Creek under Route 1; installation of new traffic signals at Alps Road, the entrance to the A&P Shopping Center and Route 142 along Route 1; and widening of Route 1 to provide more travel lanes along with improvements to drainage.

Motorist Advisory - Motorists are advised that they should plan ahead and seek alternate routes during the Route 1 closure. An infoline number, (203) 315-0966, has been established for the project that plays a prerecorded message with current project information including the hours of work, and is reachable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DETOUR INFO- 9 p.m. Saturday, July 14, until 12 p.m. on Sunday July 15, 2012.

- U.S. Route 1 southbound traffic will be detoured onto Branford Connector to I-95 south, Exit 52 (Route 100, High Street/Main Street) and back onto U.S. Route 1 (West Main Street).

- U.S. Route 1 northbound traffic traveling between Route 100 in East Haven and Route 142 (Short Beach Road) in Branford will need to reroute onto southbound Route 1 to Route 100 to I-95 northbound to Exit 53 Branford Connector to U.S. Route 1 north.

LANE CLOSURE INFO- At all other times during July 13 through July 15, 2012, motorists can expect lane closures or alternating one way traffic on Route 1.

- Friday July 13, 8 PM to 6 AM: Alternating One Way Traffic

- Saturday July 14, 6 AM to 9 PM: One Lane in Each Direction

- Saturday July 14, 9 PM to 12 PM Sunday July 15: Traffic Closure of U.S. Route 1

DOT Project No. 0014-0157 was awarded to J.F. White/Empire Joint Venture of Westfield Massachusetts on June 29, 2009 at a cost of $44,706,241.35 and is scheduled to be completed in November 2014.

The construction project is one of several transportation infrastructure initiatives being funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and a full listing of Connecticut DOT ARRA projects, please go to our website www.ct.gov/dot under the “Recovery Information” icon in the right hand margin.