Press Releases
03/20/2020
CTDOT Modifies Operations during COVID-19 Outbreak
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that it is monitoring and modifying some operations in the wake of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.
For the time being, road and bridge construction projects are continuing as planned. Contractors are being instructed to follow best practices and to follow public health guidelines for sanitizing and minimizing potential for virus transmission.
Highway and roadway maintenance including snow plowing, pothole repair, sign and guiderail repair, tree removal, traffic signal repairs, and other related activities will continue in business-as-usual operations.
Service plazas on I-95, I-395 and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways remain open for highway travelers and are subject to Department of Public Health directives. Take-out food is still being served but visitors are being directed to purchase their items, and remove them from the facilities to minimize any congregation of people. Rest area and Service Plaza facilities are continually being cleaned and sanitized.
As a result of reduced ridership, Hartford Line and Shore Line East train schedules have been reduced, using weekend schedules on weekdays, and holiday schedules on weekends. Metro-North New Haven Line trains – between New Haven and Grand Central Terminal in New York City – are operating normal weekday and weekend service. Commuters should check www.hartfordline.com, www.shorelineeast.com and www.mta.info/mnr for service updates.
CTtransit bus service has also been impacted by reduced ridership, but for now, buses are operating on normal weekday and weekend schedules. CTtransit service updates can be found at www.cttransit.com. Additionally, approximately 100 CTtransit buses have been equipped with transparent, protective barriers providing a partition between drivers and passengers. These 100 buses will be redeployed to the busiest routes to provide the greatest level of protection for drivers, while CTDOT staff continue to review options to expedite delivery and installation of barriers in additional buses.
Also effective today, cash will no longer be accepted on buses and trains.
Anyone feeling sick should not use public transportation, and passengers are encouraged to follow best practices. All passenger equipment is being cleaned and sanitized daily. The CTDOT strongly encourages the public to reserve public transit for essential travel only such as getting to and from work, and to maintain social distance wherever possible.
As for internal CTDOT operations, many employees have been approved for telecommuting. Meetings are being held by teleconference and video conference wherever possible.
The CTDOT is committed to being responsive to the needs of the public during these challenging times. Members of the public wishing to contact agency staff to report problems, concerns or to provide any comments or feedback should visit our website and utilize the"contact us" form, which is being monitored by staff.
“We are coping with this crisis, trying to balance the needs of commuters with our ability to maintain operations,” said CTDOT Commissioner Joseph J. Giulietti. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and thank them for their understanding. At the same time, we ask that the traveling public remain mindful that further service modifications may be necessary. I would also like to thank the nearly 3,000 CTDOT employees for pulling together and helping us get through this.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot