The Spectrum

Issue date: 12/8/05 Section: News

Media Credit: The Spectrum/ Elyse Harrell These signs should read; traffic, more traffic straight ahead.

There are three things you're guaranteed to have to deal with in life: death, taxes, and traffic.

Since Jan. 2001 there has been construction on the Sikorsky Bridge in Shelton. The construction is replacing the 60 year-old metal bridge. It will have six lanes, a full shoulder capacity and a new addition of a bike lane.

"I think its ridiculous that I have to sit in 20 minutes of traffic to get to school so that they can build a bike lane. Who's going to ride their bike on the highway?" said Kelly Edgar, senior, Milford.

"Americans will put up with just about anything, provided it doesn't block traffic," once said Dan Rathers, television newscaster.

This is one location that is known for its traffic, partially due to the construction and to the merge from I-95 to Route 15.

"I dread leaving my house because I know I'm going to have to deal with it. I definitely think the people that need to learn how to merge are a big part of the traffic," said Vin Wynne, senior, Shelton.

The construction on the bridge has forced a two-lane shift that is also a contributing factor to the increased breaking on the bridge.

The construction was estimated to be completed in Dec. 2005 but has been pushed back to the middle or end of 2006.

Students commuting from Milford and beyond are likely to get the brunt of this traffic, both in the morning rush to work and the evening rush home when it's at its worst.

There is also construction-causing traffic that is triggering problems for students that commute from N.Y.

The Merritt Parkway Interchange Project at exit 40, effects commuters to and from N.Y.

"When I am going north on the Merritt around 8 a.m. I'm fine, but I see the south side is at a stand still. When I'm southbound around noon time I'm sitting there for 45 minutes tapping my fingers on the steering wheel," said Christina Piazza, junior, Wilton.

This involves the reconstruction of exit 40 at Main Ave., in Norwalk.

"This is supposed to improve the geometry of the on and off ramps and improve traffic operations on Main Ave.," said Paula Sakofs, communications manager for MetroPool.

"It sucks when you just need to get somewhere but you can't get to that place because there is always traffic on the Merritt right around Norwalk. That is the worst spot driving home and I try to avoid it," said Chris Williams, junior, New Rochelle, N.Y.

For students that may be commuting for winter intersession classes, Sakofs said there is a winter shutdown period on this project.

"[This means] there won't be any lane closures on the Merritt resulting from construction during this time," said Sakofs.

There are many places where lane closures and traffic problems can be found before you get on the road.

MetroPool.com is a website that tells the day, time and location of where lanes will be closed; work will be done, as well as alternate routes.

Local radio stations usually also provide traffic reports hourly, such as: 95.7, 101.3, 99.9, 93.7, and 104.1.

While traffic is inevitable, especially during rush hour and construction, there are ways to find out where and when there will be excess back up and ways to find alternate routes.

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