ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON PROPOSED REMOVAL OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON ROUTE 9 AND MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Contributed by Bill Corvo of Middletown.


I have continued my review of the DOT’s proposed modifications to Route 9 in downtown Middletown following a conversation with Stephen Hall, Project Engineer with the Bureau of Engineering and Construction. It is obvious that there are a number of important problems that must be addressed as a result of changes in traffic flow and volume to and from lower Middlesex County. Safety issues are of paramount importance as well.

ROUTE 9 SOUTH MODIFICATION ACHIEVES RESULTS

In my previous comments I indicated major problems which I identified with the proposed Route 9 North exit into Middletown at Rapallo Avenue. After looking over the design modifications for Route 9 South I have come to the conclusion that the proposed changes will achieve the impact of improving traffic flow and improve safety.

BRIDGE AND MILLER STREET CHANGE IS POSITIVE

The resolution of the Bridge and Miller Street issues without having to rely on access to Route 9 is consistent with recommendations which were made by Middletown’s North End Task Force in its “Report and Recommendations to the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Middletown dated June 6, 1988;
 

“Miller/Bridge Street Area

The North End Task Force asks the Mayor and Common Council to review our recommendations for the Miller/Bridge Street area of the community. This area of the North End is almost forgotten. We suggest the following recommendations:

A. That an alternative access route be created, either through Miller or Portland Streets and that the Planning & Zoning and Public Works Departments work together to ascertain the logistics of this proposal;”1

1 The North End Task Force was a special committee named by Mayor Sebastian Garafalo to review serious problems which were plaguing the North End of Middletown in the area from Washington Street to the industrial area in the far north end at North Main Street. The area’s eastern border was the Connecticut River and the western border was Newfield Street. Members of the Committee included John Giuliano, Welles Guilmatrin, Christine Marselli, Emanuel Pattavina, Nilda Perichi, Robert Santangelo and Nathan Shapiro

RAPALLO AVENUE EXIT-CREATES MAJOR CONGESTION

Based on documents provided to the public by the DOT the Rapallo Avenue exit from Route 9 North does not result in improvements of traffic flow in Middletown and raises a variety of safety issues. I believe it is also the most expensive part of the proposed development. The “fly-over” from Route 9 North over Route 9 South and the railroad line running parallel to Route 9 and the railroad line running east to west parallel with Rapallo Avenue also present issues with construction and aesthetics.

The need for some type of modification is not an issue-however the methodology currently proposed for the Route 9 North exit as proposed will not be an improvement. The existing Route 9 was a major improvement over what it replaced i.e. River Road heading north towards Cromwell and Saybrook Road heading south towards lower Middlesex County. It has remained as an improvement for more than fifty years. The modifications required to eliminate the current problems should also be able to be of benefit for at least fifty years. This is not the type of project that is going to be fine tuned down the road after spending in excess of $70 million dollars today.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE 9 NORTH EXIT AT HARBOR PARK

Accordingly, I have taken another look at the possible alternatives to the Rapallo Avenue approach. I have already indicated that the best way to resolve the issues without creating massive congestion in the North End with all of its negative impacts would be to have the Route 9 North exit shifted south in the area of Harbor Park.

One of the apparent problems with having the exit shifted to the Harbor Park area is the proximity of the entrance ramp to Route 9 from the Eastern Drive area merging into Route 9 North just prior to the curve in the highway which would provide the off ramp to the harbor area.

When originally built the Eastern Drive on-ramp served the Connecticut Valley Hospital campus. At that time the population and staff at CVH was substantial, in the neighborhood of approximately 5,000 people. River Road was also used as an alternate conduit for traffic from Pratt and Whitney’s campus into Middletown and Route 9. The CVH population/staff is greatly reduced since that time period and Pratt and Whitney has closed the gate and shut off access to River Road from its campus.

CLOSE EASTERN DRIVE “ON RAMP” AND REPAIR WALNUT STREET BRIDGE

I believe the positive resolution to the Route 9 North exit into Middletown calls for modifications which will achieve the most beneficial result at the least cost. I suggest that DOT examine the closing of the Eastern Drive access onto Route 9 North as part of this solution.

Route 9 North access would still be available at Randolph Road.2 By closing the Eastern Drive access one problem would be eliminated and Route 9 heading north from that point could be widened to help accommodate a better approach for a new exit into the harbor area. The bridge at Walnut Street, which is fairly old would also have to be improved/replaced in order to improve the new access into the harbor area.

2 Approximately 2.5 miles to the south. Alternate access from CVH would be Silver Street to Main Street Extension with access to Route 9 North from that point as well.

REPLACE AND UPDATE RIVER ROAD BRIDGE AND ADD COMMUTER PARKING

As part of the improvements required in the harbor area I would also suggest that the old and currently inadequate bridge at River Road which feeds into Union Street will need to be improved/replaced. Additionally, I would recommend that a portion of the property currently being used by the Water Pollution Control Authority for its treatment plant be converted into a commuter parking lot. The commuter parking lot would also be a major benefit for the harbor area and would be available for use by the general public using other facilities in the harbor.

NET BENEFITS- LOWER COST, LESS CONGESTION, NO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON RESIDNETIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAFER DESIGN

The net result would be that commuters would be able to access a variety of roads and streets to arrive at destinations to the north- including the Arrigoni Bridge. Northern access would be available from Union Street into DeKoven Drive as well as Main Street. Access to points west would be able to utilize Union Street and head towards Main Street or Pleasant Street to be able to move towards Durham, Middlefield and Meriden.

There would be no negative impact on residences by using the harbor exit system and costs should be reduced by avoiding the need for an expensive “fly-over” construction system. This design would also eliminate the need for a “left lane” exit- another safety benefit.

The exit at the Middletown Harbor area would also provide a parking facility and improved access with a new bridge into the harbor area. This would help Middletown in a long-term goal to improve and develop the Harbor area of the community.

I believe that it is important to take the time necessary to get the new proposed design “right” so that it does no harm to Middletown and its citizens while at the same time improves the safety and functionality of this important highway system. Once modified we will have to live with it -good or bad- long into the future.