State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky: End of Year Newtown Update to State Transportation Projects

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

As we come up on 2022, it’s remarkable how quickly this year has flown by and how much has transpired. To say it’s been another challenging, interesting year would be an understatement. There will be time to reflect and look ahead after the holidays, as I prepare for the 2022 Legislative Session, opening on February 9th. Please stay tuned for my pre-session town hall and other January events.

For now, I hope you’re spending a little holiday time with the ones you hold dear, staying healthy and remaining hopeful.

The main reason for this update is to provide an update about significant state transportation projects in Newtown.

1) Traffic Light Activation at Rt. 34 at Bennett’s Bridge Road & Grays Plain Road

At long last, this very dangerous Sandy Hook intersection is only days away from the activation of a new traffic control device. Known for terrible sight lines and fast-moving traffic on Rt. 34, it will be a welcome change for anyone who drives here on a regular basis.

The new traffic signals and overhead traffic detectors are now in place to make this an “intelligent” intersection. Once powered-up the new signal heads will go active and the existing flashing light will go dark and be removed.

2) Reconfiguration of the Area Around I-84, Exit 11

You have, no doubt, seen significant, recent changes to the Berkshire Road area between Toddy Hill Road and the I-84 overpasses. Many of you have contacted me to get the lowdown. Simply put, this is the beginning of the state’s portion of what may be the most significant traffic flow, safety and congestion-relief project for Newtown in decades.

Significant improvements to the area of Wasserman Way, Berkshire Road (Rt.34) and the area around and feeding Newtown High School will reduce volume by as much as 60% in the Wasserman/Berkshire intersection by creating direct access to I-84 from northbound CT Route 34 and the area fed by Toddy Hill Road.

The work is in process now and is expected to conclude on or before March 02, 2024, with very little impact to existing traffic since, most improvements are additions and road work has been directed to not interfere with traffic Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

This project will create a noticeable, positive impact on the entire Exit 11 area. From improved sight-lines to dedicated turn-lanes, greater safety and far less congestion, once complete, up to 60% of peak traffic flowing north from points south on Route 34, as far as New Haven, will no longer enter the Wasserman Way, Route 34 and existing Exit 11 confluence.

3) Rochambeau Bridge Span Replacement

Still ahead of schedule. We expect the new westbound span to be open to traffic during the week of January 3, 2022. Preparation for the second phase traffic shift to facilitate removal and replacement of the eastbound span begins in the Spring of 2022. The new, temporary crossover being installed to make way for the eastbound closure will be engineered to have better vision, be safer, more user-friendly and easier to navigate than the one being removed, hopefully minimizing the slowdowns of the original.

The entire Rochambeau replacement project is expected to be complete by December 2023.

Here are a couple of recent photos of progress on the new Westbound span: