Middletown On-Ramp Is Being Redesigned To Limit Accidents, Congestion

MIDDLETOWN, CT – Route 17 on-ramp leading to Route 9 northbound in Middletown will be redesigned to increase safety for drivers and pedestrians and to improve traffic mobility.

Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced the construction project on Tuesday, April 11.

“Improving the area around Route 9 in Middletown has been high on my priority list. For far too many years, this has been a notorious spot for congestion and accidents, and the current configuration is the source of many of these issues,” Lamont said.

The construction project, to be completed in 2026, includes removing the on-ramp’s existing stop sign and creating a full-length, free-flow acceleration lane that will allow vehicles to merge onto Route 9 without first being required to come to a complete stop.

“This project is critical to improving the safety of drivers through the Route 9 corridor in Middletown,” said Eucalitto. “Every construction project of ours is focused on improving the safety of drivers, making it easier to get to wherever you’re traveling."

The bridge carrying Route 17 over Route 9 will be replaced to accommodate the new acceleration lane, while Harbor Drive access to Route 9 will be removed. In addition, the Main Street Extension intersection will be realigned and signalized, and a new sidewalk will be added to the west side of the Main Street Extension underneath Route 17.

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) said since 2016, Connecticut’s Department of Transportation has been working with Middletown to develop plans to reconfigure the Route 17 on-ramp to Route 9 northbound.

“Improving safety and reducing crashes at the interchange is urgent for motorists who use this ramp every day,” she said. “This project will help reduce congestion, improve vehicle and pedestrian safety and increase access to the waterfront. In addition, this investment will help Connecticut build a stronger economy with more jobs.”

From 2019 to 2020, there have been 319 Crashes and 27 injuries due to the current configuration of the on-ramp.

“This interchange has long been a rampant source of senseless crashes,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said.

Middlesex Corporation was awarded the contract, valued at $50 million.
The construction project is supported by funding Connecticut is receiving from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“A big goal of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is to fund projects that make our roads safer,” Senator Chris Murphy said. “I’m glad to see Governor Lamont use the federal dollars we secured to make it safer to drive in Connecticut by targeting roads with higher crash rates and making improvements that will reduce the number of accidents and injuries.”