CT DOT Developing Plans To Improve Tricky Area In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced it is developing plans to improve Rapallo Avenue, deKoven Drive and Washington Street in Middletown.

The purpose of the project is to "improve safety and reduce congestion in the vicinity of deKoven Drive and Rapallo Avenue" and is necessary because the lane configuration on Rapallo Avenue leads to "excessive congestion" at its intersection with Main Street,DOT officials said.

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Additionally, there is "substandard geometry on Rapallo Avenue that hinders safety," DOT officials said.

The project involves converting the existing bi-directional roadway on Rapallo Avenue to a one-way configuration with a designated right turn lane and a through/left lane at the intersection with Main Street, according to project specifications.

By converting Rapallo Avenue to one-way, the new operations can be achieved with only minor roadway widening and while maintaining all 21 on-street parking spaces, according to DOT officials. The configuration will also improve the pedestrian safety of the crossing along Main Street and eliminate the "current observed illegal left turns" onto Rapallo Avenue from Main Street heading south.

The shoulders on deKoven Drive will be widened to provide additional space for bicyclists and the horizontal curve between deKoven Drive and Rapallo Avenue will be "addressed and improved," DOT officials said.

The present schedule indicates that the design will be completed in November 2026, with construction anticipated to start in the spring of 2027, assuming acceptance of the project, availability of funding and receipt of any required right-of-way and environmental permits, according to DOT officials.

The project will be undertaken with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds.