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

FOR RELEASE: March 29, 2018

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 closure of the Route 2 eastbound ramp from the Founders Bridge to allow for the rehabilitation of Bridge 2369 in East Hartford.  The ramp will be closed Friday, April 20, 201, at 10:00 AM and will remain closed until October 12, 2018.

The rehabilitation of Bridge 2369 includes a superstructure replacement providing three simple spans consisting of steel beams with a composite reinforced concrete deck.   The superstructure replacement will be completed in two stages.  During each stage, the number of traffic lanes on the bridge will be reduced to one and traffic from I-84 eastbound to Route 2 eastbound will be maintained with the a single lane.  

DOT Project No. 0171-0431, was awarded to The Middlesex Corp. of Littleton, Massachusetts on August 24, 2017 at a cost of $22,067,950.00 and is scheduled to be completed in January, 2020. This project consists of 4 independent bridges, three in East Hartford and one in Willington. Press releases will be issued for the other three as needed.

The Route 2 east ramp will be closed Friday, April 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM and will remain closed until October 12, 2018.

Motorists on Route 2 east from the Founders Bridge will be directed to take the Exit 3 Pitkin Street off-ramp, and proceed left onto Pitkin Street, through the intersection at Darlin Street, and turn right onto Jayce Street (and finally straight at Jayce Street & East River Drive) to merge back onto Route 2 east.

Prior to the closure, Exit 3 will be widened to two lanes. The pavement markings on Pitkin Street will be modified to allow two eastbound lanes until meeting Jayce Street. These modifications will allow the ability to turn left from both lanes leaving the exit ramp, and provide an exclusive right turn lane onto Jayce Street.

Motorists traveling on Route 2 East will still be able to use Exit 2 to I-84 East. The shoulders of Exit 2 under Bridge 02369 will be closed for the duration of the bridge reconstruction.

Motorists traveling on I-84 East will still be able to use Exit 55 to Route 2 East. The exit will be reduced to one lane over Bridge 02369. The lane reduction is necessary as part of the reconstruction of Bridge 02369.