To combat the epidemic gridlock, the Connecticut Department of Transporation began work to modernize the turnpike in 1990.  By the time the long-range plan is complete, more than half of the bridges will be reconstructed, many interchanges will be reconfigured, and several sections of the turnpike will be widened.  In the $3 billion plan is the replacement of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (Q-Bridge) in New Haven, with a state-of-the-art "signature span," an extradosed design, similar to a cable-stayed bridge.  Along with reconfiguring the I-91/Route 34 interchange and widening to Exit 54 in Branford, ConnDOT will invest $1.2 billion for improvements in the New Haven area by 2010.

 

The first of these projects was the $460 million replacement of the Baldwin Bridge between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook between 1990 and 1993.  Soon following that was the reconstruction of the Lake Saltonstall bridge in East Haven.  Consruction began in 1992, and took three years.

 

The $400 million reconstruction program in Bridgeport is in its seventh year, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.  This project included new technologies to expedite reconstruction of the turnpike, including the use of gantry cranes for work on the P.T. Barnum Bridge over Bridgeport Harbor.  Exits 24, 25, 26, 27, 27A, and 29 are being reconfigured to allow for smoother traffic flow, while the southbound off ramp and northbound onramp of Exit 28 are bring removed completely. Part of the project has been delayed by a number of setbacks. Engineers had to dismantle and reconstruct a new bridge over State Street at Exit 25 when they discovered the new roadway sagging. On March 31, 2004, a truck carrying heating oil jackknifed and exploded, melting the newly reconstructed Howard Avenue overpass at Exit 26. This forced the immediate closure of I-95 and the removal of the damaged bridge. A temporary bridge is currently carrying traffic over Howard Avenue until a permanent bridge can be built.

 

Recently completed is the $60 million widening project between Exits 8 and 10 in Stamford.  A lane was added in each direction, making the turnpike eight lanes in Stamford.  In 1999 work was completed on the $30 million reconstruction of the Saugatuck River Bridge in Westport, and in 2001 work was completed on the $30 million reconfiguration of Exit 41 in Orange.  Both projects added full left and right shoulders to the mainline turnpike, and replaced bridges that were nearing the end of their lifespan.  Also, exit and entrance ramps were made longer and wider to accomodate more traffic and allow smoother acceleration and deceleration.

 

In 2002, work began on a $16 million project to reconstruct Exit 40 in Milford.  This includes replacing the I-95 bridge over Woodmont Road, reconfiguring the ramps to allow for smoother traffic flow and widening Old Gate Lane and Woodmont Road.

 

Starting in 1994, and still ongoing, ConnDOT has be reconstructing the median divider between the Baldwin Bridge in Old Saybrook and the New York state line, adding a left shoulder and increasing safety by making it more difficult for vehicles to cross the median into oncoming traffic.  A four-foot Jersey barrier will replace steel guide rails and 36-inch Jersey barriers, which tractor trailers have occasionally crossed into the opposite lanes.  Along with this project, bridge guide rails and parapets are being reconstructed.  Older steel guide rails are being removed and the parapets are being reinforced with concrete.  They are also increased in height, from 36 inches to 48 inches. 

 

In late 2002 ConnDOT held public hearings in Norwalk and Darien, seeking input on a proposal to widen I-95 from six lanes to eight between Exits 10 and 15.  This would be an extension of the widening that was completed in Stamford.  The project that is currently underway in Norwalk and Darien to reconstruct the median and resurface the highway is not related to the widening proposal, and construction would not begin until at least 2006.

 

The I-95/I-395/US-1 interchange in Waterford is also being reconstructed to improve safety, and to provide a connection to the future Route 11 expressway. 

 

Finally, in 1994 ConnDOT installed the Incident Management System between the New York State Line and Exit 60 in Madison, as a pilot program.  The system integrates real-time traffic cameras, speed monitoring devices, road surface temperature sensors for winter storms, and variable message signs to alert motorists of travel hazards.  All of these systems are linked to the state-of-the-art IMS Control Center at the State Police barracks in Bridgeport.  Additionally, the IMS cameras are available online at the Connecticut Department of Transportation Website.

 

With the success of the IMS along the Connecticut Turnpike in reducing travel delays, the system is currently being installed in the Hartford area.  By 2010, ConnDOT plans to have the IMS in place on all of its expressways.