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

FOR RELEASE: March 9, 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 (Department) will conduct a public informational meeting concerning the proposed Interchange No. 58 improvements on Route 15 at Route 34 on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 in Orange at the Town Hall (617 Orange Center Road, Orange, Connecticut 06477).  An open forum for individual discussions with Department officials will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a design presentation at 7:00 p.m.

The project is identified as State Project No. 0106-0128.

The purpose of the project is to provide safety and operational improvements to the Route 15 ramps to/from Route 34 Westbound.  The proposed improvements address a pattern of high rear-end crashes at the interchange by providing a Northbound Route 15 acceleration lane from Route 34 Westbound and a Southbound Route 15 deceleration lane onto Route 34 Westbound.  It is proposed to reconstruct the median to provide the required roadway width, install concrete median barrier, and modify pavement markings along the mainline.  This project also proposes to relocate the Route 15 southbound off-ramp intersection with Route 34 westbound, approximately 150 feet east towards the bridge carrying Route 34 over Route 15.  The newly formed intersection will provide two right-turn lanes from Route 15 to Route 34 and will also include approximately 650 feet of storage for both lanes.  The remaining legs of the interchange will receive tree clearing to improve sight lines.

Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project are not anticipated.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2020 based on the availability of funding.  The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $4,620,000.  This project is anticipated to be undertaken with eighty percent (80%) percent Federal funds and twenty percent (20%) 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 at (860) 594-3062 at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting.  Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS).  Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

If postponement of the public informational meeting is required due to inclement weather or other conditions, it will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 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 Mr. Michael S. Cherpak at (860) 594-3155 or by e-mail at Michael.Cherpak@ct.gov.  Plans are also available for review at the Town of Orange.