O&G is the general contractor for CTDOT Project No. 0079-0246 – I-91, I-691, Route 15 Interchange Northbound Improvements in Meriden
This interchange has been one of the most congested and outdated highway corridors in Connecticut. The $185M northbound reconfiguration project is the second phase of three projects designed to address traffic operational and safety concerns associated with capacity, congestion, and weaving along Route 15 NB and I-91 NB, as well as capacity deficiencies on the Route 15 NB off-ramp to I-691 WB and mainline I-691 WB.
Both I-91 and Route 15 mainlines will be reconfigured, the existing ramp connection from I-91 NB to Route 15 NB will be replaced with a new two-lane off-ramp, and the existing off-ramp from Route 15 to East Main Street will be replaced. Additionally, the existing off-ramp from Route 15 NB to I-691 WB will be widened to two lanes.
Work on the project includes demolition, rehabilitation, and replacement of several bridges, and widening and construction of multiple retaining walls. Other tasks include extensive earthwork, drainage installation, roadway reconstruction and widening, electrical work, and landscaping and traffic safety improvements.
Phase 2 construction is slated for completion in the fall of 2028 with all three projects to be completed by 2030.
Project Phase Details:
The first phase of the Interchange Improvement Projects (CT DOT Project 0079-0245) was a Design-Build Project which began in early 2023 and is aimed at repairing bridges, adding a lane of traffic to I-91, and making related road improvements. This includes:
- Realigning and widening the ramp from I-691 eastbound to I-91 northbound (Exit 1A old Exit 11) to two lanes to meet traffic demand.
- Bridge replacement due to the proposed ramp realignment and widening.
- Adding an auxiliary lane on I-91 northbound to relieve congestion caused by a steep uphill grade.
- Bridge widening due to the added lane.
This second phase that is now underway includes:
- Adding a new two-lane exit ramp from Route 15 northbound to I-91 northbound to reduce traffic congestion on the Exit 68 N-E ramp.
- Closing the existing Exit 17 ramp from I-91 northbound to Route 15 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.
- Widening the existing Exit 68W ramp from Route 15 northbound to I-691 westbound to two lanes.
- Reconfiguring the acceleration and deceleration lanes to provide adequate traffic crossover distances and improve traffic flow.
- Complete replacement of three existing bridges, construction of one new bridge, rehabilitation and widening of four bridges, and complete removal of one existing bridge.
Proposed improvements for a third phase include:
- A new two-lane exit ramp from Route 15 southbound to I-91 southbound to reduce traffic congestion on the existing Exit 67 ramp.
- A new two-lane I-91 southbound ramp to Route 15 southbound to reduce traffic congestion on the existing Exit 17 ramp.
- Widening the ramp from I-691 eastbound to Route 15 southbound (Exit 10) to two lanes.
- Widening the ramp from I-91 southbound to I-691 westbound (Exit 18) to two lanes.
