CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456
FOR RELEASE: June 5, 2012
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Public Information Meeting Concerning Proposed Safety Improvements, Resurfacing, Enhancements and Bridge Improvements on the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) in the City of Stamford and the Town of New Canaan
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) will conduct a Public Informational Meeting concerning the proposed Safety Improvements, Resurfacing, Enhancements and Bridge Improvements on the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) in the City of Stamford and the Town on New Canaan on Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Stamford Government Center, Senior Center Auditorium (2nd Floor), 888 Washington Blvd. Stamford, Connecticut.  Department personnel will be available at 6:30 p.m. to answer questions prior to a formal design presentation at 7:00 p.m.
The project is identified as State Project Number 135-270.
This project involves the resurfacing of Route 15 in both directions as well as various safety improvements from the Greenwich/Stamford town line to 220 ft. north of the South Avenue Bridge in New Canaan for a total length of 6.53 miles. 
All proposed work will conform to the “Merritt Parkway Guidelines for General Maintenance and Transportation Improvements” recommendations prepared by The Merritt Parkway Working Group in June 1994. In addition, the project involves the rehabilitation of the existing landscaping by returning it to its original park-like setting in accordance with the "Merritt Parkway Landscape Master Plan" dated October 1994.
The existing guide rail will be replaced with Merritt Parkway Guide Rail (a steel backed timber railing). The existing rock ledges close to the roadway will be evaluated, and if warranted, will be cut back or shielded with either the Merritt Parkway guide rail or concrete barrier.  A single unit concrete curb and gutter system will also be installed along the grass median.
Numerous bridges located within the project limits will require minor cosmetic work (various parapet work, graffiti removal, surface and crack repairs to concrete, fencing, overlay, etc).  Some bridges will require major work and will be separated into individual bridge projects.  Project No. 135-304, Project No. 135-316, Project No. 89-125, and Project No. 303-007 will address these specific bridges but will still be included in the Project No. 135-270 contract.
The Public Informational Meeting is 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 improvement project. 
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 at least five working days prior to the meeting.
Plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review.  Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project.  More 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. Timothy M. Wilson at (860) 594-3189 or by e-mail at Timothy.Wilson@ct.gov.