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

FOR RELEASE: March 15, 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’s Office of Highway Design will be holding a public information meeting regarding proposed safety improvements on Route 85 between Skyline Drive and the picnic area.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at the Salem Town Hall, Conference Room #1, 270 Hartford Road, Salem, Connecticut.  A design presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a question and answer period immediately following.  The snow date for this meeting is Thursday, March 31, 2016.

The proposed improvements in front of the Garden Center will consist of widening Route 85 (New London Road) to provide enough room for left-turn by-pass capability in the southbound direction. Providing the by-pass capability will reduce congestion and the potential for rear-end collisions.  Route 85 at the north entrance to Skyline Drive, and throughout the curve, will be widened on both sides of the road and will have the earth embankment on the inside of the curve cut back to improve the sightlines at this location.

The present schedule indicates that construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2017 and completed in fall of the same year.  The estimated construction cost for the project is approximately $1.2 million.  Funding is anticipated to be undertaken with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.

The public information meeting is being held to offer a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning the proposed project.

The meeting facility is ADA accessible.  Deaf and hearing impaired persons wishing to attend this meeting and requiring an interpreter must make arrangements by contacting the Department’s Office of Communications at (860) 594-3062 (voice only) 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 request for assistance.

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. William W. Britnell at (860) 594-3274 or by e-mail at William.Britnell@ct.gov.  Plans are also available for review at the Salem Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office.