What is the Route 2 Extension to I-91 Project?
Through State Project No. 0042-0333 the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is proposing a direct connection between I-91 and Route 2 to alleviate congestion, improve safety and reduce traffic volume at the existing I-84/I-91 Interchange, and eliminate geometrically deficient ramps on the Bulkeley Bridge and I-84 in East Hartford. The proposed improvements would include an extension of Route 2 beyond the Governor Street ramp in East Hartford providing a direct connection to I-91, north of the existing I-84/I-91 interchange, with a new bridge over the Connecticut River north of the CT Southern Railroad Bridge. The project is currently undergoing federal and state environmental reviews and preliminary engineering.
Project Background
Part of the Greater Hartford Mobility Program (GHMP), the Route 2 Extension to I-91 is one of several independent projects that emerged from the findings of the Greater Hartford Mobility Study (GHMS) that will advance through environmental review and preliminary engineering. The GHMS was a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study—a broad, regional effort to evaluate how best to move people and goods across transportation modes in the Greater Hartford area. It identified and prioritized improvements that aligned with regional goals to put forth one vision and plan to serve mobility needs across Greater Hartford. While the study screened a range of alternatives and provided preliminary recommendations, its analysis was only conceptual.
Since the proposed project includes a new highway alignment and river crossing, it must undergo the highest level of reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) before design and construction could begin. These detailed documents will evaluate potential impacts and explore alternatives, including a “no-build” option, which evaluates impacts if no changes are made. Public input will be used to guide decisions throughout the process, with opportunities for the public to receive updates, attend meetings, and provide feedback as the project moves through environmental review and preliminary engineering.
The Latest:
The Route 2 Extension to I-91 project team is currently:
- Collecting existing condition data for both the built and natural environment
- Conducting biological surveys
- Refining the project’s purpose and need
- Creating various concepts for the new river crossing
- Coordinating with federal and state regulatory agencies
- Meeting with area stakeholders to introduce the project and get initial input
