Utility relocation will be the first phase of the $6.3 million project.

The first phase of work on the Park Road/I-84 interchange in West Hartford will be relocating the utilities. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The first phase of a major road construction project in West Hartford – revamping the Park Road and I-84 interchange – will begin in the next few weeks with the relocation of utilities.

Lanes closures will be required to accommodate the work, and motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and avoid using the exit 43 interchange whenever possible.

The initial phase will include the relocation of existing gas mains and utility poles. According to the town, “selective tree removal” will be required to facilitate the work. Director of Community Services Mark McGovern told the Town Council at its most recent meeting that final approvals for the overall project are expected this fall from the Department of Transportation.

“The goal is to start in the spring of 2017,” McGovern said of the road construction work.

At an information session about the project held in December 2015, attended by about 50 people, West Hartford Project Engineer Greg Sommer said that the interchange handles about 29,900 vehicles per day. Problems have resulted from “insufficient storage” of vehicles at the interchange, and the presence of three separate traffic signals in the area which are not fully coordinated. The signal at the intersection of Raymond and Park roads is owned by the town, but the other two just east of the interchange are operated by the state.

When complete, the existing off ramp will be relocated about 200 feet to the west to align with the existing on ramp.

In addition, the sight lines of the exit ramp will be improved by changing the curve and regrading, making the signal and queue much more visible to exiting vehicles. There will also be a second left turn lane added to the exit ramp, according to Sommer. These measures should reduce the length of the queue so it does not extend through the “weaving” area.

According to the town, moving the I-84 off ramp 200 feet west will also reduce the traffic congestion and improve the flow of traffic at the intersection of Trout Brook Drive and Park Road.

As part of the project, the south side of Park Road will be widened to create an additional travel lane, and there will be left turn lanes added at intersection approaches.

Exiting traffic signals will be replaced along Park Road at Raymond Road, the I-84 ramps, and Trout Brook Drive. The new signals will be coordinated.

A portion of the Trout Brook Trail crosses Park Road at the intersection of Trout Brook Drive, and although the crossing will remain at grade level, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements will be incorporated as part of the project.

The estimated project cost is $6.3 million, 80 percent of which will be federally-funded through the Surface Transportation Project. The state and the Town of West Hartford will each contribute 10 percent of the cost of the project.

For additional information and to remain updated on the status of the project, visit the Construction Projects page of the Town of West Hartford website.

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