September 26, 2013

GOV. MALLOY ORDERS IMMEDIATE HALT TO ROUTINE ROAD WORK ON I-95, MERRITT PARKWAY AND OTHER STATE ROADS IN LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy has directed the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) to halt all routine roadway maintenance activities in lower Fairfield County, specifically on I-95, the Merritt Parkway, the Post Road (Route 1), Route 7, Route 123 and other busier secondary roads to ease the anticipated increased congestion due to the power disruption on Metro-North's New Haven Line.

Work on the lane expansion project on I-95 in Norwalk has been suspended until further notice, and there will be no lane closures except in the case of an emergency. Governor Malloy said the halt on routine road work in the area will continue until further notice.

"Needless to say, I am frustrated at this situation and continue to press the folks at Con Ed and Metro-North to fix it as quickly as possible. But until the problems are alleviated, we need to take whatever steps we can to help mitigate congestion on roadways," Governor Malloy said. "Our state transportation crews have halted all routine road work in the area and are working to ensure that the expected increase in traffic moves safely and efficiently."

The halted routine maintenance includes mowing, patching, catch basin brush clearing, tree trimming and line striping. All bridge maintenance - which requires lane closure for the safety of workers - is being done at night, and any night work will be stopped and cleared by 6 a.m.

DOT's Service Patrols - the large trucks with flashing lights that assist motorists whose vehicles have broken down - have been placed at various points along I-95 off the roadway to assist with getting those vehicles off the road as quickly as possible and to assist with other congestion mitigation where necessary.

On Thursday morning, the DOT reported that traffic on I-95 and the Merritt Parkway was only slightly heavier than normal for a weekday morning rush.

Updates on the Metro-North situation continue to be posted on DOT's website ( www.ct.gov/dot ) and on Metro-North's website ( www.mta.info/mnr ).

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For Immediate Release: September 26, 2013

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy