The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that final pavement surface treatment on The Merritt Parkway Improvement Project in Fairfield and Westport may require the daytime closure of Exit 42 southbound and northbound off-ramps on October 8, and 9, 2020.
Crews will be applying a “High Friction Surface Treatment” or HFST to the off-ramp pavement. The HFST requires warmer air and surface temperatures for proper placement which may only be possible during the daytime to complete. When the HFST is installed, the affected ramp will be closed to traffic. Ramp closures will begin at 6AM and may continue to 6PM. Message boards will be placed on the Parkway and on and at ramps to inform motorists of the impending closure date and time. During the ramp closure a signed detour will be in place for affected ramps.
Motorist that normally use the off-ramps at Interchange 42 will be guided to use the following detours:
- EXIT 42 southbound off-ramp closure and access to Weston Road (Rte. 57): Detour will direct motorists to use EXIT 41 southbound off ramp to Wilton Road (Rte. 33) and return to EXIT 42 northbound off ramp via the Exit 41 northbound entrance ramp.
- EXIT 42 Northbound off-ramp closure and access to Weston Road (Rte. 57): Detour will direct motorists to use EXIT 44 northbound off ramp to Black Rock Turnpike (Rte. 58) and return to EXIT 42 southbound off ramp and Rte. 57 via the Exit 44 northbound entrance ramp.
All motorists traveling on the Merritt Parkway are required to obey posted vehicle restrictions and are reminded that no vehicles over 8 feet tall are allowed on the Parkway. The existing vertical clearance under the Newtown Turnpike Bridge is lower than the existing bridge height during construction.