Council Member Touts Benefits of Full Exit 33 Interchange

                                By JASON SANTI

Regarding the creation of a full entrance and exit at Exit 33 off I-95, I believe that the benefits for the town and state would far outweigh the costs because of better traffic flows and economic development potential.

Currently, the areas around this interchange are economically depressed and could use some reinvigorating. Even though businesses do thrive there, they could be doing a whole lot better with more direct access to the highway.

They are struggling like everyone else, and, for customers not have direct access to patron their shops-most likely is hurting them to some extent. Not to mention the fact our downtown and Devon are like parking lots because of all the excess traffic on exits 32 and 34.

Interchange 33 was only designed as a partial interchange with one off ramp and one on ramp.  The new full interchange would correct the traffic flow problems and increase economic development and safety potential.

The partial interchange plan was a short-sighted design and has hurt Stratford ever since.

The toll-booths were in part the cause of such shortsightedness. There is not much to gain if this partial interchange is left to remain as-is. We have no direct access from I-95 to Rt. 1 as most other towns in Connecticut do.

This is why this project is so critical to our town, with the impending rebirth of Shakespeare Theater and the Army Engine Plant. This would be a great plan to have the infrastructure in place to handle the new redevelopment!

The reason I put forth the resolution is due to the fact, we have to let the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and the governor know that we fully support this project.

Now is the time, with the governor looking to spend money on infrastructure, this could be our last chance to get this project  moving.

I do realize this only a symbolic measure, but it does let our state officials know we support it.   By the way, the Economic Development Commission, many businesses, many residents, many elected officials and the Chamber of Commerce support this.

I believe it is now or never!