There are a bunch of temporary highway exit ramp closures coming our way in Connecticut soon.
This is because the Connecticut Department of Transportation Wrong Way Detection Bi-Annual Inspections are to be done on Interstate 84, Interstate 91 and Interstate 291 in the Greater Hartford Area, according to the agency.
The DOT said the wrong way detection bi-annual inspections will bring temporary “various ramp closures” on those highways, beginning Monday, September 29 and will be completed by Thursday, October 2, 2025.
A DOT spokesperson said the ramp closures are part of the inspections because, “as part of this testing, our team physically tests this system with vehicles to make sure the system reacts correctly and activates.”
“That’s why these short-term ramp closures are needed,” the DOT spokesperson said.
The detection systems use a camera that projects an invisible grid to the off ramp, which then senses if a vehicle is entering from the wrong direction, to the DOT. That activates flashing red lights and the lettering on the “wrong way” sign.
If the person does not stop and they continue on the highway, they hit a second zone and that’s what notifies Highway Operations Center and Connecticut state police, according to the DOT.
The detection systems were mandated by a state law passed in 2023, according to the DOT.
The bi-annual inspections are routine and ensure the Wrong Way Detection Systems remain up to standard, the spokesperson said Monday.
Further, the spokesperson said, it is important for motorists to know this this work is scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the set dates.
These are the locations to be impacted for the tests:
I-84 westbound at HOV Exit to Silver Lane in East Hartford
I-91 northbound at HOV Exit to Route 218 in Windsor
I-91 northbound at Exit 38 in Windsor
I-91 southbound at Exit 31 in Hartford
I-91 southbound at Exit 42 in Windsor Locks
I-84 westbound at Exit 43 in West Hartford
I-84 eastbound at Exit 40 in West Hartford
I-84 eastbound at Exit 40 in West Hartford
I-91 southbound at Exit 25S in Wethersfield
I-91 northbound at Exit 23 in Rocky Hill
I-91 northbound at Exit 24 in Rocky Hill
I-91 northbound at Exit 42 in Windsor Locks
I-91 south bound at Exit 24 in Rocky Hill
I-291 westbound at Exit 2 in Windsor
I-84 eastbound at Exit 43 in West Hartford
I-84 eastbound and westbound at Exit 46 in Hartford
The wrong-way detector system also alerts the CTDOT Highway Operations Center and local State Police Troop barracks in real-time, allowing staff to monitor the activities of the wrong way driver on the ramp, according to the agency.
There were five crashes and seven deaths in 2023 caused by wrong-way drivers. The fatalities included that of state Rep. Quentin Williams, D-Middletown, who was leaving Gov. Ned Lamont’s inaugural ball.
There were 13 crashes and 23 fatalities in 2022, a DOT spokesman has said.
The upcoming inspection work is being performed by TAPCO and CTDOT state forces.
According to the DOT, motorists should expect closures of the listed ramps, Monday to Thursday, starting Sept. 29 through Oct. 16, 2025.
Also, motorists should be “aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area,” according to the agency.
