Connecticut DOT Plans Makeover for Glastonbury Interchange

A difficult interchange in Glastonbury, Conn., is ready for enchancment with a roundabout underneath a two-year, $14.5-million Connecticut Dept. of Transportation undertaking to start inside a month. 

Plans name for the roundabout to assist untangle the complicated intersection of New London Turnpike and the southbound ramps of Route 17 close to Douglas Highway. The present exit ramp terminus on the turnpike in shut proximity to Oak Avenue leads to a five-cornered intersection that has lengthy posed operational and security considerations as site visitors volumes have elevated. As a part of the undertaking, two getting older bridge constructions shall be eliminated together with the at-grade portion of the Route 17 off-ramp.

The state DOT has chosen Terryville, Conn.-based Richards Corp. as undertaking contractor, with STV Inc., tapped to offer development engineering and inspection providers.

In accordance with a 2022 company scoping research, the interchange bridge carrying Route 17 northbound lanes over a southbound exit ramp construction spanning New London Turnpike was discovered to be “functionally out of date as a result of current minimal vertical clearance being lower than present [state DOT] design standards for an current bridge over a freeway.” 

The bridge deck was additionally rated in poor situation, with 30% deterioration, massive areas of map cracking and hole sounding concrete on its. Abutment cracks and areas of peeling paint have been additionally discovered.

Following elimination of the bridge and exit ramp construction, a brand new roadway for northbound Route 17 shall be constructed atop fill, with the brand new roundabout included into the brand new site visitors sample. The roundabout will function a particular 20-ft stamped asphalt apron together with extra pedestrian security parts rigorously built-in into the design. The roundabout can even help deliberate pedestrian enhancements within the space.

Different undertaking aspects embody 400 ft of lane widening alongside Oak Avenue and alternative of all site visitors alerts within the undertaking space with video and radar detection programs added to new span poles.