DOT Announces Public Meeting For Route 9 On-Ramp Alterations

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) will conduct a Public Informational Meeting for the Reconfiguration of Route 17 On-Ramp onto Route 9 North (Project No.82-309).

When: Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Where:                 Middletown City Hall, in the Council Chambers (1st floor),

245 Dekoven Drive,

Middletown, Connecticut

What:                   An open forum with Department staff will begin at 6:30 p.m.

with a formal presentation at 7:00 p.m. 

"This is an important change for Middletown and the State really needs to hear from residents whether about they support this potential solution,” said Rep. Matt Lesser (D- Middletown). “The current on-ramp is one of the most accident-prone intersections anywhere in Connecticut and it limits access to our city's waterfront."

The Public Informational Meeting is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning the Reconfiguration of Route 17 On-Ramp onto Route 9 North.

The meeting facility is ADA accessible.  Deaf and hearing impaired persons wishing to attend this meeting and requiring an interpreter, must make arrangements by contacting the DOT’s Office of Communications at (860) 594-3062 (voice only) at least five working days prior to the meeting.  Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to request for assistance.

Details of the proposed concept: This project is designed to develop a plan that will enhance the safety of vehicles at the on-ramp of Route 17 onto Route 9 North, which has a high frequency of accidents. The proposal includes the widening of the existing bridge immediately north of the stop-controlled on-ramp to accommodate a full length acceleration lane and remove the stop-control condition. The widening of the Route 9 Bridge would be facilitated by the relocation of the intersection of Union Street, Harbor Drive and River Road currently located under the bridge. This intersection would be moved further east across Sumner Brook, which would require the construction of two new bridges, and the realignment of the three intersecting roadways.

This concept also proposes to close the existing on-ramp onto Route 9 North located at the north end of Harbor Drive and transform Harbor Drive into a local access road with on-street parking, and various pedestrian amenities.

This project will be concluded at the end of the public comment period for the public informational meeting. At that time, the DOT will consider the initiation of another project to move forward with the design and construction of this concept.

More detailed information is available at the DOT’s Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.  Plans are also available for review at the Middletown City Hall – Town Clerk’s Office, 245 Dekoven Drive, Middletown, Connecticut. Anyone wishing to discuss the project may contact Mr. William W. Britnell.