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CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546 |
| FOR RELEASE: November 15, 2013 |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot |
Public Informational Meeting Concerning Proposed Improvements on Route 15 at Northbound Interchange 65, Route 150 over Route 15 in the Town of Wallingford
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) will conduct a public informational meeting concerning the proposed improvements on Route 15 at northbound interchange 65, Route 150 over Route 15, on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 (Snow Date: December 11, 2013) in Room 315 of the Wallingford Town Hall, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, Connecticut. An open forum for individual discussions with Department officials will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 7:00 p.m.
The project is identified as State Project No. 148-200.
The primary purpose of this project is to enhance safety and reduce congestion at the interchange. The new design will eliminate the existing stop sign controlled entrance ramp condition, improve safety, and increase capacity on River Road. The new ramp location and associated roadway improvements will minimize delays, improve traffic flow and address safety concerns.
The scope of work includes constructing a more conventional at-grade on-ramp immediately east of the northern parapet of the bridge carrying Route 150 over Route 15 (Bridge No. 0792). It will be aligned parallel to and between Route 15 and Community Lake Park. The westbound approach of Route 150 will be widened to provide an exclusive right-turn lane onto the new on-ramp and the Community Lake Park driveway. Removing the disconnected stretch of sidewalk along the southern parapet of Bridge #0792 will allow Route 150 to be widened for the installation of an eastbound left-turn lane onto the new on-ramp.
The intersection of Route 150 and the new on-ramp will be signalized and the new signal will be synchronized with the existing signal at the intersection of River Road. Route 150 at Masonic Avenue also warrants a new traffic signal which will be coordinated with the new on-ramp signal and the River Road signal. Sidewalks will also be extended along the north side of Route 150 from the Community Lake Park driveway to the Route 15 overpass requiring a sliver acquisition and sloping easements from the park. The existing sidewalk along the overpass currently terminates at the west end of the bridge parapet and will be extended to the intersection of Route 150 and Masonic Avenue.
The western side of River Road will be widened to accommodate the extension of the existing northbound left-turn lane. Although the Exit #65 on-ramp is being relocated, the off-ramp will remain at its current location. Relocating the existing on-ramp to the parkway reduces congestion at the Route 150 and River Road intersection. Reducing left-turn movements from Route 150 westbound further improves capacity and lowers the potential for crashes.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2016 based on the availability of funding. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $4.3 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 90% Federal Funds and 10% State funds.
The public informational meeting is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project.
The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Office of Communications (Voice only) at (860) 594-3062 at least five working days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance.
Plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review. Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project. More detailed information is available at the Department’s Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Anyone wishing to discuss the project may contact Mr. Timothy M. Wilson at (860) 594-3189 or by e-mail at Timothy.Wilson@ct.gov. Plans are also available for review at the Wallingford Town Hall.