The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is holding a public informational and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) scoping meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Wesleyan University’s Beckham Hall (Fayerweather) at 45 Wyllys Avenue in Middletown. The event will begin 5:00 p.m. with an open house, followed by a formal presentation at 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and reduce congestion due to the presence of two traffic signals on Route 9, leading to crash rates significantly higher than adjacent segments of freeway. This meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments and ask questions regarding the proposed project. Visit the project webpage for more information at https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Projects/0082-0318-Route-9-Middletown-Home.
“This section of Route 9 by the Connecticut River and Middletown’s downtown area experiences a significantly high number of crashes that result in injuries, directly attributable to the two existing traffic signals,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Stephen Hall. “We are holding the second of multiple public information meetings to educate the public on the proposal to eliminate the traffic signals by means of a new off-ramp to River Road from Route 9 Northbound. We encourage the public to attend this meeting to learn about the project and to share their feedback with the CTDOT project team during the final design process.”
Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project are anticipated. A city parcel on River Road that is currently classified as a superfund site is proposed for the new off-ramp. Additional minor sliver acquisitions may be required.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2027 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 $115 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by May 14, 2024, to DOT.Rte9Middletown@ct.gov, or Stephen Hall at Stephen.Hall@ct.gov or (860) 594-2591. Please reference State Project No. 0082-0318 in the email or voicemail.
Accessibility
Parking is available in Lot E across the street from Beckham Hall (Fayerweather). The building is ADA accessible.
The presentation will also be recorded and posted on the CTDOT YouTube channel. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on YouTube.
Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Stephen.Hall@ct.gov or (860) 594-2591.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five 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.