Norwalk I-95 Expansion Project Nearing Completion

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Wednesday that the I-95 expansion project in Norwalk is nearly done and a new northbound lane has already been opened.

The southbound additional lane will open next month.

The project started in 2012 to help ease traffic between exits 14 and 15. It will give drivers additional time to get in their desired lane.

“This is just another way we’re working to transform our transportation system. For years, this section of I-95 in Norwalk was the cause of a major bottleneck resulting in pervasive gridlock that slowed commerce and lowered quality of life,” he said. Today, I am proud to announce that our efforts to expand this area of the highway are nearing completion.”

More from Malloy’s office:

The new 2,300-foot southbound lane begins at the Route 7 southbound on-ramp to I-95 (Exit 15) and extends to the Route 1 exit (Exit 14). The new northbound lane is approximately 2,100 feet in length. The project also realigned the Exit 14 ramp to Route 1 (Connecticut Avenue).

“Every day, more than 140,000 commuters, truckers and motorists travel this stretch of I-95 – often in bumper-to-bumper traffic,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) said. “Improving our transportation network is critically important to our economic future and our quality of life. This project will help alleviate traffic, make our roads safer, and improve the lives of Fairfield County residents and drivers using our roads.”

“This is a great example of the investments we are making around our state to improve traffic flow and enhance safety,” Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker said. “I-95 is an economic lifeline across southern Connecticut, carrying commuters, tourists and truck-hauled freight in and through Connecticut. This project will go a long way toward improving the flow of traffic in this busy corridor.”

As part of the $45 million project, three bridges at Taylor Avenue, Cedar Street and Fairfield Avenue, each carrying local streets over I-95, have been reconstructed to span the new auxiliary lanes and increase vertical clearances over the highway.

The project includes the addition of left-turn lanes at four upgraded, signalized intersections on Route 1 to improve traffic efficiency. New curbing and seven-foot-wide sidewalks have been installed along both sides. As a result of community input, the sideway along the north side of Route 1 to Scribner Avenue has been extended. In addition, a new drainage system will alleviate flooding, reduce the peak discharges at the nearby Norwalk River outfall, and improve overall storm water quality.

The DOT has worked to ensure that the design is compatible with other City of Norwalk projects, such as the Cedar Street Streetscape Project, the new fire station, and the West Avenue roadway improvements.

The work is being completed by O&G Industries of Torrington under contract with the DOT, and has created or sustained about 80 jobs.

Image via Gov. Malloy Office