Stratford's Neil Sherman Explains I-95 Exit 33 Rationale

By Neil Sherman

There are two main issues in our discussion surrounding  construction of I-95's Exit 33:

1. the need to redesign Exit 33, as submitted by the state a number of years ago because it was an untenable design, and,

2. recognizing the importance of addressing the impact the southbound off-ramp will have on Stratford’s quality of life and our adjoining neighborhoods, while at the same time ensuring the future vitality of our business community. 

The Economic Development Commission agreed to work closely with Stratford’s Town Council to rewrite the tabled Exit 33 resolution because that resolution needed to incorporate and communicate our ability to listen to our neighborhoods and their concerns about the exit, and ultimately to express that concern to the state Department of Transportation (DOT). 

Our goal is to get the community to tell the state what we need and then to get the state to listen. 

The rewrite of the Council's resolution talks to that need – that is, getting positive Stratford citizen involvement into the design of the exit so that all of Stratford has a say in the exit’s ultimate redesign.  

In addition, we cannot emphasize enough that the design also has to empower support for the commercial corridor on Route 1 as well as support potential new development by providing the sensible traffic patterns necessary to help us market opportunities on Barnum Avenue – a development focus we absolutely must have in Stratford if we’re going to make this community economically successful. 

With our envisioned transit-centered development concept ready to move forward, what we must now do is conceptualize and encourage traffic pattern enhancements supporting current commercial properties while at the same time offering new and exciting venues for additional shopping, eating, living, and selling opportunities. 

The first step in the reconceptualization of this critical area is a frank and open discussion with the state of Connecticut about Stratford’s needs and how Exit 33 can be a catalyst for commercial growth here -- similar to what interchanges in Milford, Orange and Fairfield have done for those municipalities.