1. Notice of Scoping for the Reconfiguration of Route 17 On-Ramp to Route 9 Northbound
Address of possible location: The project is located on Route 17 between Log Mile 21.65 and 22.50. Route 9 overlaps Route 17 through a portion of this project between Log Mile 23.46 to 23.90. Main Street Extension is a local roadway located south of downtown Main Street. Union Street, River Road and Harbor Drive are also local roadways and provide access to Harbor Park and waterfront properties. See link to location map below.
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Middletown
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to reduce rear-end crashes at the Route 9 Northbound and Route 17 Northbound interchange. The project is needed because the existing stop-controlled on-ramp from Route 17 onto Route 9 Northbound has a crash rate significantly higher than similar adjacent freeway segments.
The proposed work includes providing a full-length acceleration lane for Route 17 Northbound traffic to merge onto Route 9 north. Reconstruction of Bridge No. 00638, which carries Route 9 over Union Street, will enable widening the structure to the west as well as addressing maintenance concerns. The proposed acceleration lane will require realignment of Route 9 as well as the closure of the Harbor Drive on-ramp onto Route 9.
After closure of the Harbor Drive on-ramp, the Main Street Extension and Route 17 interchange will serve as primary access to Route 9 for the southern section of downtown Middletown. Proposed improvements at Route 17 and Main Street Extension include adding dedicated turn lanes to Main Street Extension and the Route 17 off-ramps. The Route 17 Southbound off-ramp will be realigned and signalized to create a more typical intersection configuration. New sidewalks will be added to the east side of Main Street Extension to increase pedestrian connectivity. Additionally, a noise wall is anticipated along the Route 17 Northbound on-ramp from Main Street Extension.
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Project Plans: Click here to view preliminary project plans.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday February 18, 2022
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public scoping meeting. Such requests must be made by: Friday January 28, 2022.
Other Information: This project was reviewed for impacts to cultural resources and its was determined that the proposed action will result in No Historic Properties Affected.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to (E-Mail preferred):
Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Kevin.Fleming@ct.gov
If you have questions about the scoping for this project, contact (E-Mail preferred):
Name: Salvatore Aresco, P.E., Project Manager
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3239
E-Mail: Salvatore.Aresco@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3045
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.