Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Charter Oak Bridge

The I-91 Charter Oak Bridge Project in Hartford addressed congestion at Interchange 29 on I-91, which had been consistently listed as one of the worst bottlenecks in the country. The original structure was a single-lane ramp with a steep grade and a significant traffic weave at a massive intersection – causing recurring back-ups on I-91 that resulted in numerous crashes and delays. The new ramp and highway reconfiguration eliminated recurring delays, improved operations, and the reduced crash rate has significantly improved travelling conditions for commuters and positively impacted social, economic, and sustainable development in the area. By rehabilitating and widening some existing structures within the corridor, the $245 million project was able to extend the service life of existing structures, upgrade roadside safety features, improve the existing drainage system and improve operations within the corridor in a cost-effective manner.