[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

That is not as simple as it sounds. The highway is up against the river and a park on one side and downtown Middletown on the other. The city, the regional planning agency, businesses and residents have made it clear that they do not want to lose any access to or from the highway and they do not want any ramps flying over the highway and blocking views of the river. So what do you do? Tunneling is extremely expensive.

Years ago I attend some planning meetings on this and ConnDOT had some interesting concepts that would have had interchanges on either end of downtown. These groups did not like it. So simply put, there is no easy answer and until some politican with some b***s get elected you will likely not see anything happen. Jay

Ugh - I think it's fair to say that if it weren't for the NIMBY crowd, transportation in Connecticut would be a lot easier.

[keekski]

There are two lights through route 9 in Middletown though. One where 66 is, and the other closer to the Arrigoni Bridge

[MrGompers]

I've heard a number of reasons over the years why RT 9 thru Middletown can't be fixed. One is that a restaurant "Alfredo's Riverside" which basically sits under the Arrogoni bridge would become landlocked. I've also heard that the leader of the Middletown business association who owns the hobby store "amato's" is the biggest voice against removing the traffic lights. Since he\she thinks it would prevent people from shopping at their store. I don't know what's true and untrue anymore since this has been a mess for 30+ years.

This is what I envision can happen with RT 9 thru Middletown. I'm not an engineer so I don't know what's feasible or expensive.

First off the traffic issue starts in Cromwell at West St exit 19 on RT 9 south. During rush hour this exit backs up about 50 cars deep and probably 98% of those cars are turning right onto RT 372 only to then make a quick left onto RT 3 south. (which becomes Newfield St in Middletown) To fix this - install an exit after West St which leads directly to RT 3 Newfield St thereby bypassing the RT 3 RT 372 intersection. There appears to be space here south of the Napa warehouse on Newfield St to accommodate a new exit. Perhaps they can't build there because of wetlands?

Once entering Middletown on RT 9 south I would keep the right hand exit for the bridge, but eliminate all the other exits and traffic lights. I would make one exit to the street running parallel to RT 9 south which could be used as a feeder to downtown although it would probably have to be widened. (I believe this is currently the exit for RT66)

RT 9 north thru Middletown would have more significant changes though. First I would eliminate all the left hand exits heading into Middletown which is why the traffic lights are there in the first place. Instead make the exits on the right and tunnel under the highway to come out onto that parallel street along RT 9. This is also known as a "jug handle" exit which you will see a lot of in New Jersey.

Close all the current entrances to RT 9 and move them to the tunnel instead perhaps. You could have jug handle exits and jug handle on ramps. This may also be called a "clover" type intersection although it would be partially tunneled. I can picture it, but I'm not sure of the exact terms.

BTW, there is currently a pedestrian tunnel under RT 9 to get to Harbor Park. It starts roughly at city hall and comes out to the north end of harbor park.

[JayCT]

You are right that part of the problem is the area around Alfredo's Restaurwant. There is a neighborhood back there with a dozen or so homes that have no access to other than Route 9. ConnDOT proposed taking these homes but the city was completely against that. Your concept for Route 9 SB is good but there is no room for a jughandle going northbound. You would have to take land from the park (which is a no-no these days) or build under the river which is also not possible. That tunnel you mention is really not much more than a culvert for people. It is dark and damp and not suitable for traffic. Also I do not think that the objections were from just the owners of the hobby store. I think they were from most of the businesses downtown. You also must remember that 15 years ago Middletown was suffering with a declining downtown. There was a tragic event where a patient from CT Valley hospital killed a little girl on Main Street and a number of long time businesses shut down leaving vacant storefronts up and down Main Street. Things have changed significantly but still without good highway access, this may not have happened. Like I said there is not an easy answer. Jay