December 6, 2023

Bozrah & Colchester: Important Update from the Connecticut Department of Transportation

This article was archived from the previous WordPress site. Formatting and media should be close, but may not match the original post perfectly.

In light of the many recent and tragic wrong way accidents that are impacting Connecticut roadways, the Department of Transportation will be designing Wrong Way Detection Systems for select highway ramps that are considered as a high-risk statewide.

Locally, there will be plans to install these systems on off-ramps along sections of Route 2 in Bozrah, and Colchester.

Bozrah – Route 2 – East – Exit 23

Colchester – Route 2- East – Exit 21

Colchester- Route 2 – East – Exit’s 16 & 21

Here is all of the information that was provided by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is designing Wrong Way Detection Systems to be installed at 27 limited access highway off-ramps that are considered high-risk locations for wrong way drivers. A full location can be found below.

This project will install new equipment to the latest standards, such as pedestals, thermal and CCTV cameras, solar panels, cellular modems, internally illuminated signs, and signage. This equipment will be deployed along off-ramps as the primary detection for wrong-way vehicles. The detection will then activate flashing red LED lights located on the borders of internally illuminated wrong-way signs alerting drivers that they are traveling in the wrong direction and need to take corrective action. Simultaneously, a notification by cellular modem will be sent to Connecticut State Police and CTDOT’s Highway Operations Center to make them aware of a potential wrong way driver.

“We continue to do what we can to prevent wrong way driving crashes from happening,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Jonathan Corilla. “These signs are a key component of our continued efforts to improve safety and stop wrong way drivers.”

The design plans for this project are expected to be completed in March 2024 with a tentative advertising date of May 2024.

It’s important to CTDOT to ensure the public’s feedback and thoughts are heard and included. If anyone has any questions or comments on this project, contact Lisa N. Conroy, Principal Engineer, at (860) 594-2744 or by email at lisa.conroy@ct.gov. Please reference to State Project No. 0172-0530.

For more information on ongoing CTDOT wrong way driver mitigation measures, please click here.