Press Releases
03/02/2022
CTDOT Holding a Virtual Information Meeting on Route 85 Improvements in Salem and Montville
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a Virtual Public Information Meeting concerning the proposed Route 85 improvements south of Route 82 in Salem and Montville on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m.
Instructions on how to access the meeting and on how to provide comments or ask questions can be found at the project webpage: State Project 85-146
The purpose of the project is to address roadway deficiencies at four separate segments along Route 85 south of Route 82 in Salem and Montville. This 5+ mile section of Route 85 is classified as a Principal Arterial and National Highway System route, and functions as a major north-south route linking the New London and Hartford areas.
The project limits begin just south of the intersection of Route 85 and Route 82 (Salem Four Corners Roundabout) and extends southerly to approximately 800 feet south of the intersection with Lakewood Drive in Montville. The proposed improvements include widening shoulders to accommodate bicycles, upgrading guiderail, addressing vertical geometry deficiencies, addressing isolated drainage, providing vehicle bypass at select intersections, and constructing new climbing lanes where appropriate. The proposed work also includes the relocation of the Route 161 intersection from its present location to approximately 1,200 feet southerly to align opposite Deer Run. The new intersection of Route 85, Route 161 and Deer Run is proposed to be a single lane roundabout. The existing intersection of Route 85 at Grassy Hill Road and Chesterfield Road will be expanded to incorporate improved turning radii, auxiliary turning lanes, and a new traffic signal. Two bridges are proposed to be replaced: Route 85 over Fraser Brook (Bridge No. 02538), and Route 85 over Latimer Brook (Bridge No. 01248), to accommodate current standards and the proposed Route 85 geometry.
Right-of-way impacts associated with the project include partial strip acquisitions for the Route 85 geometry and the Route 161 realignment, easements to slope, and temporary construction easements for the bridge replacements.
Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2024 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permit(s). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $38 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with eighty percent (80%) Federal funds and twenty percent (20%) State funds.
The Virtual Public Information Meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. Persons with limited internet access may request that project information be mailed to them by contacting Jeffrey Pfaffinger, P.E., Project Manager, by email at jeffrey.pfaffinger@ct.gov or by phone at (860) 594-2767. Please allow one week for processing and delivery.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (888) 566-5916 and entering the Participant Code when prompted: 9977843. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). The MS Teams Live Event offers closed-captioning for the hearing impaired and non-English translation options. A recording of the formal presentation will be posted to YouTube following the event and closed captioning (including non-English translation options) will be available at that time. The recording will also be available in the list of DOT virtual public meetings here: CTDOT-VPIM-Library.
Visit the project webpage for options for Apple users. During the Q&A session and the 14-day comment period that follows the meeting, individuals may leave a question or comment via email (preferred) at DOTProject85-146@ct.gov. Individuals may also leave a voicemail question or comment by calling (860) 944-1111. Please reference Project 85-146 in your voicemail.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT’s Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
860-594-3062 · CTDOTMedia@ct.gov
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