Connecticut DOT Urges Caution as Crashes Spike in Meriden Construction Zone

MERIDEN, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is warning drivers to slow down and stay alert near the massive construction zone where Route 15 intersects with Interstates 91 and 691 in Meriden, following a sharp rise in crashes.

Since work began in 2023, over 1,200 accidents have occurred in the area — hundreds more than in previous years, according to CTDOT spokesperson Josh Morgan.

“People are driving too fast, they are driving distracted, they are driving impaired — and they are putting themselves and our crews at risk,” Morgan said Friday.

He noted that the troubling trend mirrors a statewide rise in work zone crashes, but the Meriden zone is among the most dangerous.

Nighttime Driving Adds to the Challenge

This Article Includes

1 Nighttime Driving Adds to the Challenge
2 Long-Term Construction, Long-Term Goals
3 Public Patience Urged

Drivers like Retha Shields, who commutes through the zone at night, said visibility and lane confusion make the area especially risky after dark.

“At night time, you can’t see everything that’s around you, and it will definitely cause an accident,” Shields said. “I really believe a detour would be safer.”

Long-Term Construction, Long-Term Goals

The Meriden project is part of a $500 million modernization effort to untangle the outdated and congested roadways, with completion expected in 2030.

“Route 15, 91 and 691 were tangled like spaghetti,” Morgan said. “We’re fixing geometry, expanding exits, and doing what we can to future-proof the area.”

While the work aims to improve traffic flow and safety in the long term, the immediate risks remain a concern for both drivers and road crews.

Public Patience Urged

Morgan emphasized the importance of driver responsibility and cooperation to keep everyone safe.

“If you’re five minutes late to a meeting, that’s better than not arriving at all,” he said. “Please, think of the people working in those zones.”

The surge in roadwork follows the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which boosted CTDOT’s funding by 40%. That increase has allowed the agency to add more crews and accelerate timelines across the state.

As the construction continues, officials say safe driving behavior is critical — especially in high-risk areas like Meriden.

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