New Seating At Plainfield Plazas Still Sparse Compared to Milford

It’s now easier for Interstate 395 travelers to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee, a doughnut, and a foot long sandwich.

Two Plainfield service plazas reopened Sept. 28 after 15 months of extensive renovations including the addition of Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway.

While there was no seating at first, four metal outdoor picnic tables with benches were added to each plaza in October.

In December, a small table and two chairs were added inside each facility across from Dunkin’ Donuts, hidden beside a large ATM.

According to Connecticut DOT spokesman Judd Everhart, the two-month delay for indoor seating was caused by Project Service, operator of the plazas, as they wanted to see how the “foot traffic flowed inside before making a decision.”

The seating is still much less than that of Project Service’s sister plazas in Milford which have large food court seating areas. 

In Plainfield, the rest stop’s other amenities include restrooms, a Mobil gasoline station and convenience store, a tourist kiosk, a pet walking area, low-emission vehicle priority parking, and truck parking.

Located between exits 89 and 90, Plainfield’s facilities meet top environmental “silver LEED” standards. Solar panels were installed along with state-of-the-art energy efficient heating and air conditioning units. Restrooms use less water and feature motion-activated lights. They are similar to newly renovated plazas in North Haven and Fairfield on Route 15. Its design will be replicated at the Montville plaza on I-395, currently under construction.

The Plainfield plazas are still simpler than its larger Milford counterparts which features Sbarro, McDonald’s, Good to Go Organics, Robeks, Cheeseboy, Panda Express, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Carvel Ice Cream, Statement Gift Shops, retail carts, large Fast Freddie’s Convenience Stores, free Wi-Fi, diesel fuel, truck idle reduction technology, enlarged truck parking areas, and state police offices. 

At Milford, Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway, and McDonald’s have drive-thru service.

Project Service is embarking on a $178 million initiative to renovate 23 service plazas along I-395, I-95 and Route 15. All work is expected to be completed by 2015. The company will manage the plazas for 35 years as part of a contract with Connecticut.

Other plazas closed for renovations are in Branford and Darien on I-95, as well as Greenwich on Route 15.

Unlike any of the other plazas, Branford southbound is expected to reopen with a Burger King. 

Plazas in Madison and Fairfield on I-95 and those in Orange and New Canaan on Route 15 will close in the future for renovations.