CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: June 22, 2011

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

---

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that construction activities for the realignment of U.S. Route 44 (Burnside Avenue) between Ann Street and Zebulon Street are scheduled to begin on or about Wednesday, July 6, 2011, in the Town of East Hartford.

The project consists of the realignment of U.S. Route 44 (Burnside Ave.) to soften the two curves between Ann Street and Zebulon Street for an approximate length of 1800 feet.  The roadway work will include construction of four (4) 12 ft lanes and two (2) 4 ft shoulders. Bidwell Street will be extended and realigned to “Tee Up” with Route 44. New drainage systems will be installed as and a small water quality basin will be built to intercept “first flush” flows to improve storm water quality before wetland entry. Traffic signals will also be upgraded.

Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 44 between Ann Street and Zebulon Street.

The allowable hours of work are:

Monday-Friday: Route 44 between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM

DOT Project No. 0042-0292 was awarded to Empire Paving, Inc. Inc. of North Haven, CT on May 13, 2011 at a cost of $2,160,259.00 and is scheduled to be completed in November of 2012.