Rep. Savet Constantine: Ramping Up Safety on the Merritt

Rep. Savet Constantine reports that entering and exiting the Merritt Parkway in New Canaan and Norwalk will be enhanced by the installation of wrong-way driving technology on exits 36 and 37. The state’s Department of Transportation has determined that the exits are at higher risk of wrong way drivers.

According to the DOT, construction is expected to start in the fall. As described in the DOT press release: “This project will install new equipment to the latest standards including pedestals, thermal and CCTV cameras, solar panels, cellular modems, internally illuminated signs, and signs with flashers. This equipment will be deployed along off-ramps as the primary detection for wrong-way vehicles. The detection will then activate flashing red LED lights located on wrong-way signs alerting drivers that they are traveling in the wrong direction and need to take corrective action.”

Simultaneously, a notification by cellular modem will be sent to Connecticut State Police and CTDOT’s Newington Headquarters to make them aware of a potential wrong way driver.