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

FOR RELEASE: March 4, 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 a public informational meeting regarding proposed resurfacing, safety and bridge improvements on Route 2 on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, in the East Hartford Town Hall – Council Chambers, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. 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. 42-317.

The limits of the project on Route 2 begin at Maple Street and extend west to the vicinity of Pitkin Street for a length of approximately 2.8 miles.  The purpose of the project is to extend  the service life and to improve the facility by resurfacing the highway and providing safety and bridge improvements within the project limits.  The proposed scope of work includes rehabilitation of the underlying concrete pavement and resurfacing with a bituminous concrete overlay on the mainline and ramps, and reconstructing the median to install a concrete barrier and provide wider shoulders.  The existing drainage system will be modified and the existing guide rail will be upgraded to current standards.  Overhead sign supports and luminaires will be replaced.  Bridge improvements include minor bridge deck repairs and upgrading concrete parapets to current design standards.

The Department is considering the permanent closure of the ramps at Exit 5B (Cambridge St. on-ramp and Sutton Avenue off-ramp) to improve safety and traffic operations along this section of Route 2.  The conceptual plans and traffic study associated with these ramp closures will be presented.

Temporary construction easements to address drainage improvements may be required.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2018 based on the availability of funding.  The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $48 million.  This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 100-percent state funds.

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 proposed project.

The meeting facility is 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) working 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.

If postponement of the public informational meeting is required due to inclement weather or other conditions, it will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at the original hour and location.

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 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 Libatique at (860) 594-3179 or by e-mail at susan.libatique@po.state.ct.us.  Plans are also available for review at the East Hartford Town Hall at the Town’s Engineering Department.