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

FOR RELEASE: April 14, 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 (Department) will conduct two public information meetings concerning the proposed relocation of I-91 northbound Interchange 29 and widening of I-91 northbound & Route 15 northbound to I-84 east.  The first will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in the Hartford Public Works Department, Keith Chapman Conference Room (2nd Floor) located at 50 Jennings Road, Hartford, CT 06120.  The second (a repeat of the first meeting), will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016, in the Raymond Library, 840 Main Street, East Hartford, CT.  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. 63-703.

The purpose of the project is to address safety concerns associated with congestion and operational deficiencies at the I-91 northbound Interchange 29, which routinely experiences significant traffic delays and above average crash frequency.  Much of this can be attributed to the steep vertical grade and single-lane configuration of the ramp, the heavy traffic weave on the Charter Oak Bridge, and the near-capacity traffic volumes on I-91.

The proposed improvements include widening I-91 northbound to extend the four-lane travel section from Interchange 27 to Interchange 29 to relieve congestion, address significant safety concerns, and provide an efficient I-91 to I-84 connection.  It is also proposed to remove the existing ramp at I-91 northbound Interchange 29 and provide a major diverge south of the I-91 bridge over Route 15 to address the existing adverse vertical grade and limited capacity of the existing ramp.  The new I-91 diverge will consist of three lanes to the right, maintaining I-91 traffic (existing condition), and two lanes to the left, conveying traffic to Route 15 northbound via a new structure over Route 15 southbound.  The existing pavement markings on the Charter Oak Bridge will be modified to accommodate the additional northbound lane from I-91.  Additional improvements include widening of Route 15 northbound to three travel lanes, from the Charter Oak Bridge to the Silver Lane underpass to address congestion concerns on Route 15 and allow a more desirable distance from Interchange 29 on I-91 to merge from three travel lanes to two prior to its merge with I-84 East.  The existing noise barrier walls on Route 15 northbound will need to be relocated to account for the road widening.  Noise barrier walls could potentially be added to Route 15 southbound from the Silver Lane on-ramp to the bridge over Main Street.

There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements to allow for drainage easements and temporary construction easements.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2018, based on the availability of funding.  The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $287 million.  This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80-percent federal funds and 20-percent state funds.

The public information meetings are 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 facilities are ADA accessible.  Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Office of Communications (voice only) at (860) 594-3062 at least five (5) business 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 meetings 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 Susan M. Libatique at (860) 594-3179 or by e-mail at susan.libatique@ct.gov.  Plans are also available for review at the Permitting Office in the Hartford Department of Public Works and at the Engineering Department at the East Hartford Town Hall.