Connecticut breaks ground on second phase of highway reconfiguration project

The Connecticut Department of Transportation recently held a ground-breaking ceremony for the second phase of a project to reconfigure the highway interchange connecting Interstate 91, Interstate 691, and Route 15 in Meriden.

The more than $500 million project, which is expected to be complete by 2030, will replace and rehabilitate several bridges, add additional travel lanes, add multi-lane exits, correct roadway geometry, and eliminate dangerous waving points. The goal is to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Phase one began in early 2023 and will repair bridges, add a lane of traffic to I-91, and make related road improvements. The state funded the $80 million phase.

During phase two, work will include reconfiguring the acceleration and deceleration lanes, widening the existing Exit 68W ramp from Route 15 northbound to I-691 westbound, adding a new two-lane exit ramp from Route 15 northbound to I-91 northbound, and re-routing traffic to Exit 16 to provide a two-lane exit ramp with a right-side traffic merge onto Route 15 northbound. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $200 million in funding, and the state provided $50 million.

The proposed third phase also is expected to receive a combination of state and federal funding. Work will include new and widened ramps.

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