[theguyfrompluto]

IMO, I-95 is worse during non-peak hours. But, I think the Hartford rush hour is worse. Afternoon rush can start as early 2:30PM and last until 7:00PM. Mornings start at 6AM to about 9:30-10AM. Also, on some nights a Hartford Rush Hour can start in Farmington and go all the way to the I-384 interchange (23 miles.)

Another project CTDOT should think about is rebuilding the "Mixmatser" in Waterbury.

[CTbrooktrout]

I've lived and commuted in both Hartford and Fairfield County and I echo everyone else in saying Hartford does not touch the traffic madness on 95 and the Merritt. I'd support improving 84 to make it safe but otherwise we need to put all efforts into getting traffic flowing smoother in FFC. The area has the opportunity to pull in a lot more businesses from nearby states however with that of course will come more people. We need more high volume development around the stations. I know a lot of smaller communities won't like it however at some point we're going to need to start doing something to carry us for the next 50 years. The current structure and organization of things down here was not designed to carry the load of what FFC has become and where I think many would like to see it go.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by theguyfrompluto

IMO, I-95 is worse during non-peak hours.

No way. Have you ever driven in FFC during rush hour?! Rush hour traffic on 95 and the Merritt extends 20+ miles typically.

[Stylo]

Google Maps "typical" traffic, 8AM Monday.

No comparison.

[Stylo]

At Friday 5PM.

Hartford area can't compare. It's a tiny blip compared to a long drawn out stretch of highway.

[theguyfrompluto]

Originally Posted by Stylo

No way. Have you ever driven in FFC during rush hour?! Rush hour traffic on 95 and the Merritt extends 20+ miles typically.

I have driven through both. On my rush hour experience, the only traffic along I-95 on a Wednesday night was about 5 miles south of Norwalk and between Bridgeport and Fairfield. Other than that, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven was moving at 70-75MPH. Hartford on a Monday night however, was blocked for about 8 miles through Downtown Hartford in both directions. I drove 95 in Spetember and 84 just recently. In fact, traffic ratings and CTDOT named that 8 mile stretch CT's 2nd worse behind the Brideport Metro, which I got stuck in.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by theguyfrompluto

I have driven through both. On my rush hour experience, the only traffic along I-95 on a Wednesday night was about 5 miles south of Norwalk and between Bridgeport and Fairfield. Other than that, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven was moving at 70-75MPH. Hartford on a Monday night however, was blocked for about 8 miles through Downtown Hartford in both directions. I drove 95 in Spetember and 84 just recently. In fact, traffic ratings and CTDOT named that 8 mile stretch CT's 2nd worse behind the Brideport Metro, which I got stuck in.

Then you hit 95 on an especially good day. The fact that you went through Stamford and Darien at 70-75, which are pretty much always backed up, attests to the fact that you experienced a good day. The only towns you went through that typically don't have traffic are Stratford and Milford. You can't judge it based on that one trip. Certain times of the year, especially summer, a Wednesday afternoon can be pretty reasonable. Bridgeport Metro does not include Stamford, which is very bad, and includes Stratford - which rarely has traffic.

Typically, traffic starts in Stamford (sometimes even Greenwich) and is pretty bad all the way until Bridgeport. That's 25 miles, and also includes the Merritt. There's nothing like that in the Hartford area.

If what the posters are saying here plus what those Google Maps average traffic maps are showing isn't enough proof for you, I don't know what to say.

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by theguyfrompluto

I have driven through both. On my rush hour experience, the only traffic along I-95 on a Wednesday night was about 5 miles south of Norwalk and between Bridgeport and Fairfield. Other than that, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven was moving at 70-75MPH. Hartford on a Monday night however, was blocked for about 8 miles through Downtown Hartford in both directions. I drove 95 in Spetember and 84 just recently. In fact, traffic ratings and CTDOT named that 8 mile stretch CT's 2nd worse behind the Brideport Metro, which I got stuck in.

If you went 70 mph right up to Norwalk, then that's real odd. That barely happens at 4am nevermind 4pm.

[jaydez]

So what this post is coming to is everyone wants THEIR traffic fixed but screw the other guy's problem, even if their problem is a legitimate safety problem where yours is just an inconvenience issue.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by jaydez

So what this post is coming to is everyone wants THEIR traffic fixed but screw the other guy's problem, even if their problem is a legitimate safety problem where yours is just an inconvenience issue.

There are safety issues on 95 and the Merritt too.

No, the issue is the traffic problem that has the most economic/environmental impact on the state is clearly not 84 in Hartford.

I rarely drive 95/Merritt in FFC anymore so it's not even a convenience factor for me personally. It's just abundantly clear where the most serious issue is.