CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: May 18, 2013

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

DOT announces early completion of traffic shifts in the I-95 northbound/ I-91 northbound area between Exit 46 and Exit 48 for the Q Bridge/I-95 Corridor Project;

 Work Accelerated after Train Derailment

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that construction activities related to traffic shifts in the I-95 northbound/ I-91 northbound area between Exit 46, Long Wharf Drive, and Exit 48, I-91 northbound exit ramp, were successfully completed the morning of Saturday, May 18, 2013, 24 hours ahead of schedule.   In consideration of the situation that occurred on the Metro-North rail lines Friday evening, the Department modified the work plans for this traffic shift over the course of the evening and accelerated the contractor to ensure that this work was completed even sooner than the most optimistic previous  projections.

      The work planned over the weekend of Friday night, May 17, to Monday morning, May 20, 2013, which was necessary to complete traffic shifts on I-95 northbound and the newly configured exit ramp from I-95 northbound to I-91 northbound (Exit 48) was successfully executed. Work was accelerated and completed due to the Metro-North Commuter Rail accident on Friday night in Bridgeport, in an effort to avoid any further travel delays.

      Travel lanes in the I-95 northbound/ I-91 northbound area between Exit 46, Long Wharf Drive, and Exit 48, I-91 northbound exit ramp, have been re-opened. Two lane access has been restored to I-91 northbound and I-95 northbound. Work was completed ahead of schedule on Saturday morning, as it was schedule to finish Sunday morning.

      An aggressive media outreach, alternate route information, advanced notification and additional signage, assisted motorists prior to and during construction activities. Interstate guide signs have been posted to assist motorists with long term temporary restrictions implemented as a result of the traffic shifts.

      The Department commended the contractor, O&G/Tutor & Perini Joint Venture, for their extraordinary response to the Department’s request to accelerate this traffic shift due to the circumstances that developed on Friday night.

      This segment of the project is one of a series of many traffic shifts as work progresses on the construction of the Pearl Harbor Memorial (Q) Bridge, reconstruction of the I-95 / I-91 / Route 34 Interchange and other projects that are part of the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing (NHHC) Corridor Improvement Program.

Long Term Restriction - Long Wharf Drive On Ramp To I-91 North

Motorists from Long Wharf Drive will not have access to I-91 northbound (Exit 48) until Summer 2014.  Traffic will be detoured to East Street, Ives Place and back into I-91 northbound.

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation is working to inform local residents of current and upcoming construction activities through announcements such as this, as well as the I-95 NHHC Corridor Improvement Program website (www.I95NewHaven.com).

      If you have any questions about the program, please call us at 1-203-752-1996 or send an email to info@I95NewHaven.com