Map Shows Route 9 Plans

Close-up of Rapallo Avenue Plans
(click to enlarge)

As previously reported, the state Department of Transportation has developed a new plan for automobile traffic between Route 66 and Route 9, in order to satisfy its goal of eliminating 2 traffic lights on Route 9.

The DOT will present its plans at a public hearing on March 22nd, at 7PM, in the Middletown High School auditorium.

The "Scoping Notice" from the Council on Environmental Quality has the same text as the DOT, but also includes for the first time a color map that makes the plans easier to follow.

DOT plans would alter Route 9, Main Street, Rapallo Ave, Grand Street, Washington Street, Spring Street, and Hartford Avenue (click to enlarge)

Full scoping notice below the jump.

5. Notice of Scoping for Removal of Traffic Signals on Route 9 and Associated Improvements

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Middletown

Address of Possible Project Location: Route 9 to include Washington Street (Exit 15) and Hartford Avenue (Exit 16).  Route 17 overlaps a small section of Route 9 in this area.  

Project Description:  CT Route 9 is a north/south running freeway except for a short section of non-freeway in the downtown Middletown area where it overlaps with Route 17. This section of Route 9 stretches for approximately 0.36 miles (Exit 15 to Exit 16) and includes two at-grade signalized intersections. These signalized intersections contribute to significant delays and crashes.

The existing three-way signalized intersection of Route 9 and Hartford Avenue (Exit16) provides access to and from Hartford Avenue in the northbound and southbound directions of Route 9. The proposed design will eliminate the left-turning movements from Route 9 northbound onto Hartford Avenue in order to reduce conflict points and remove signalization. An at-grade deceleration lane will be provided for Route 9 southbound traffic in order to maintain access to Hartford Avenue. Access to Route 9 northbound will be maintained by constructing a bridge to convey Route 9 southbound over Hartford Avenue. Route 9 southbound will be accessible from Hartford Avenue with a free-flow acceleration lane.

In order to provide access to downtown Middletown from Route 9 northbound, a bridge will be constructed to convey northbound vehicles over Route 9 southbound as well as the railroad track and yard. The off-ramp will intersect Rapallo Avenue at a new signalized intersection. To the west of this intersection, Rapallo will be one way towards Main Street while two-way travel will be maintained to the east.

The existing traffic signal on Route 9 at the intersection of Washington Street extended allows for access to Washington Street from the northbound and southbound directions (Exit 15) and from Washington Street to Route 9 southbound. The proximity of deKoven Drive to this intersection creates a large footprint with abnormal traffic operations. The proposed design will eliminate the Route 9 northbound and southbound (Exit 15) access to Washington Street to reduce conflict points. Access to Route 9 southbound from Washington Street will be maintained with an at-grade acceleration lane. The lane configuration on Washington Street will be modified to provide a dedicated left turn lane onto deKoven Drive as well.

This project is in the immediate vicinity of two additional proposed projects: Saint John's Square/ Main Street Intersection Improvements, and Sidewalk Bump-outs on Main Street between Union Street and Liberty Street.  Although these projects are in close proximity to one another they are each stand-alone projects with independent utility and value. All three projects will be discussed at the public scoping meeting.  

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project area.

Project Plans:  Click here to view proposed project plans.  Included in the plans is the proposed work for the Sidewalk Bump-outs on Main Street, and the St. John's Square /Main Street Intersection Improvements.  The approximate footprint for the Removal of Traffic Signals and Associated Work is shown with a red border.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Friday, April 6, 2018

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

DATE: Thursday, March 22, 2018 (Snow date March 23, 2018)

TIME: Presentation to begin at 7:00 P.M.

PLACE: Middletown High School Auditorium, 200 La Rosa Lane, Middletown, CT

NOTES: The meeting location is ADA accessible.  If language assistance is needed please contact the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications at 860-594-3062 (voice only) at least five days prior to the meeting.  Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS).  Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

Written comments should be sent to:

Name:	Mr. Erik A. Jarboe, P.E.- Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency:	Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address:	P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail:	Erik.Jarboe@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name:	Mr. Stephen D. Hall, P.E. - Project Engineer
Agency:	Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address:	P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131
Phone:	860-594-2591
E-Mail:	Stephen.Hall@ct.gov

Other information: Project plans will be available at the Middletown City Hall Town Clerk's Office two weeks prior to the meeting