Meriden Mix: I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Realignment

Abstract: The Needs and Deficiencies Study identified hot spot areas associated with significantly high crashes. Further analysis indicated that safety issues were arising out of multiple factors such as inadequate ramp capacity, inadequate weave distances and confusing ramp geometry. The project team identified five priority movements for targeted improvements to alleviate congestion and improve safety. The micro simulation indicated that the traffic movements on the ramps were streamlined with adequate weave distances and ramp capacity.
The design of the project was developed on FHWA's "Performance Based Practical Design" guidelines. The emphasis was on preservation and repurposing of the existing assets to the extent possible to meet the future traffic demands. What could have been a 1-billion dollar project was broken down in three projects with independent utility and at half the cost. The three projects not only address all the priority needs but also assist the Connecticut Department of Transportation with better cash flow management. This approach of breaking down  one project in to three projects also assisted with expediating NEPA process. One big project would have required an Environmental Assessment (EA) and would have taken much longer time. The broken down projects required Categorical Exclusion (CatEx) which is a relatively simpler and faster process. In summary
1. Innovative solutions were developed to address priority needs and thereby reduce construction costs, environmental impacts, utility impacts, ROW impacts and impacts to EJ communities
2. Innovative approach to NEPA process helped us expedite the design schedule
3. Thanks to three projects, one of the projects (79-245) is procured as a design/build project, one of the projects (79-246) is in bidding process right now and the third project (79-240) is in final design phase.
4. The stakeholders and cities of Meriden and Middletown have positively received these projects