SHELTON — What has become a major traffic issue in downtown Shelton is now a priority for the Connecticut Department of Transportation and local law enforcement.
Shelton and Connecticut officials addressing traffic jams caused by bridge work
As published in the Shelton Herald by Brian Gioele.
State Sen. Jason Perillo, state Reps. Amy Romano and Ben McGorty, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments members, Aldermen Eric McPherson and Ben Perry and Derby police met with CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto on Sunday at Common Grounds in the heart of downtown to address traffic congestion stemming from emergency repairs on the Commodore Hull Bridge.
State Sen. Jason Perillo, state Reps. Amy Romano and Ben McGorty, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments members, Aldermen Eric McPherson and Ben Perry and Derby police met with CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto on Sunday at Common Grounds in the heart of downtown to address traffic congestion stemming from While CTDOT officials stressed that the bridge is safe, repair work was necessary to eliminate any weight restrictions.
That work has required the closure of Exit 12A Route 8 northbound on-ramp and Exit 12B Route 8 southbound on-ramp, but CTDOT Communications Director Josh Morgan said the department expects both ramps and all Route 8 travel lanes to open this weekend.
“The Commodore Hull Bridge remains safe for the traveling public,” Morgan said. “If there was ever a concern for public safety, we would shut the bridge down completely. We remind the public to slow down, move over, and stay alert in this active work zone.”
Following the meeting, CTDOT announced several initial steps to mitigate the traffic crisis. The agency will fund the deployment of local police officers to manage surface street traffic during peak travel times.
Additionally, CTDOT will enhance signage throughout the affected area to better direct drivers and help reduce congestion.
Perillo thanked CTDOT for being a partner in addressing traffic, saying “their agreement to cover the costs of local police shows their responsiveness.”
Mayor Mark Lauretti said he has received regular updates from CTDOT since word about the deteriorating bridge broke last week, adding he was pleased to hear work maybe completed by the weekend since he was originally told it could take upwards of several weeks. He also confirmed Shelton Police on Monday had officers working traffic duty downtown to facilitate the flow of traffic.
“This is a perfect example of what can happen when local leaders come together and demand results,” said Perillo. “We’ve been pushing hard to bring this issue to the state’s attention, and today’s meeting shows that effort is paying off.”
Just weeks ago, the local impact of these bridge repairs had received minimal public attention. Now, thanks to persistent advocacy from local leaders, CTDOT has acknowledged the situation as a significant concern requiring immediate action.
“While this won’t be resolved overnight, teaming up with CTDOT and local law enforcement is a critical first step,” Perillo added. “We’re committed to keeping this issue front and center until meaningful improvements are made. The road to a safer, more effective solution is still ahead, but together, we’ll keep pushing until we reach it.”
Romano said the Shelton delegation appreciated the support and patience from residents during the construction that will assist with rapid road and traffic improvements in the coming weeks.
“While there’s still work to be done, I believe we will continue making progress together,” McGorty said. “I want to thank CTDOT’s partnership in tackling these issues directly and their understanding of how this impacts our residents.”
Morgan said deterioration on the gusset plates on Commodore Hull Bridge was discovered during a special inspection in preparation for a future project. The plates connect the truss members together to support the weight of the overall bridge structure and traffic load on the bridge.
Due to the additional deterioration, a 32-ton weight restriction for all vehicles was implemented. CTDOT signed an emergency declaration that allows the department to move forward with permanent repairs more quickly.
The work happening this week involves milling off pavement to facilitate future repairs to the bridge. As this continues, to keep workers and the public safe and accelerate the work, Morgan said Exit 12A Route 8 northbound on-ramp and Exit 12B Route 8 southbound on-ramp are closed.
“We are hopeful that both ramps and all travel lanes on Route 8 will reopen by this coming weekend,” Morgan said. “Crews can then turn their focus to the future repairs needed underneath the bridge.”
Morgan said CTDOT is funding additional officers near the highway ramps and busy intersections to help with traffic congestion.
“More police presence will help keep traffic flowing at crucial bottlenecks,” Morgan said. “We are also adding more signage along the corridor to divert traffic away from the area.”
CTDOT is asking the public to be patient, follow the detours and utilize their GPS. The department is sharing ramp and lane closures directly with GPS providers, so these platforms will have the latest information. The public can also visit CTrides.com to view all public transportation options available.