CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: January 7, 2016

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

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing the planned closure of the Route 2 westbound ramp to the Founders Bridge (into downtown Hartford) beginning on January 18, 2016, weather permitting.

The closure is necessary for the replacement of the elevated ramp (Bridge Number 2368A) which carries Route 2 westbound to the Founders Bridge and into downtown Hartford.  The ramp will be closed beginning January 18, 2016, until  the anticipated completion date of November,  2016. The work is being conducted as part of the ongoing $22 million bridge replacement and rehabilitation project within the Route 2 / I-84 Interchange.

The elevated ramp is 640 feet long and carries traffic over I-84 eastbound as well as other ramps.  The structure is in poor condition and requires a full replacement. The CTDOT considered numerous options to maintain traffic flow on  the structure during the replacement process, however, due to space limitations, the size and geometry of the ramp, access difficulties as well as high traffic volumes, it was determined traffic cannot be maintained on the structure during the replacement process.

Route 2 Westbound: Motorists will be directed to take Exit 3 and proceed left onto Pitkin Street, right onto Darlin Street, and finally left onto the Route 2 westbound on-ramp (Founders Bridge).

The Pitkin Street off-ramp will be restriped to allow for two left turning lanes. The traffic signal timing on the detour route will be modified to effectively handle rush hour traffic flows.   East Hartford Police will be located at strategic locations with the sole objective of moving traffic safely and efficiently to the Darlin Street on-ramp to the Founders Bridge.

The Department is looking at additional options to accelerate construction of the bridge to compress the duration of the closure.