State Project 82-318 – Removal of the Traffic Signals on Route 9 City of Middletown Project Schedule Status – March 2026

Current Status
Finalized Cultural Resource Evaluation

• The Cultural Resource Evaluation, which was required to satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA), has been completed. The evaluation determined that there would be no adverse effects as a result of this project. The term “cultural resources” covers a wider range of resources than “historic properties,” such as sacred sites, archaeological sites not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and archaeological collections. It also includes any prehistoric or historic district, site, building structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. [36 C.F.R. § 800.16.(l)(1)] Properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations may be determined to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register. [16 U.S.C. 470a(d)(6)(A)] .
• Subsurface investigations have been completed, and no sensitive resources are anticipated to be affected by the proposed project. Above-ground structures have been evaluated to ensure there are no new structures eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and that any currently listed structures are not being impacted.

Developing Permit Plans and Applications
The following permits are expected as part of this project:

• Individual Flood Management Permit
• Section 401 Water Quality Certification
• Inland Wetlands Permit – General
• USACE Section 404/ Section 10 Pre-Construction Notification
• CTDEEP Structures, Dredging, Fill, and Tidal Wetlands
• Stormwater Discharge Permit

These permits are required to ensure there are no adverse effects to the environment resulting from this project.
The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers require review times of up to 18 months to fully evaluate project impacts.
Coordination with these regulatory agencies has provided more clarity on the timeline of the project and has resulted in an extension of the design phase by approximately one year.

Next Steps
NEPADocument Reviewand Approval by Federal Highway Administration
With the completed Cultural Resource Evaluation, CTDOT will submit the NEPA documentation to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for review and approval to progress with final design activities.
In addition to the Cultural Resource Evaluation, FHWA will review the project’s potential impacts on the following resources and factors:

• Socioeconomic impacts
• Use of parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and scenic roads
• Water resources
• Natural resources, including threatened and endangered species
• Sea level rise
• Air quality
• Noise levels

Given the size of the project, CTDOT anticipates a lengthy review of this documentation by FHWA.

Permit Application Submittal and Review
Permit applications are expected to be submitted to the regulatory agencies in May of 2026 with permits expected to be approved and issued in July of 2027.

Project Schedule

• Design Completion Date:       May 26, 2027
• Project Advertising:               June 23, 2027
• Project Award:                       September 17, 2027
• Notice to Proceed:                November 1, 2027
• Construction Completion:     November 31, 2031