2 - Town of Colchester

In addition, the Town will need to carefully review new development plans in order to provide for appropriate connecting
roads in Colchester. While developers and home-owners prefer cul-de-sacs for privacy, such roads can also increase
congestion on major roads that must carry a higher burden of through traffic. Some possible desirable connections to be
implemented as part of development plans in specific areas are shown on the Transportation Plan map.
During public meetings on the Plan, residents expressed a desire to expand Exit 17 on Route 2 to a full interchange.
However, when this question was asked in the telephone survey, residents were nearly evenly divided about whether this
strategy should be pursued. Creating a full interchange (installing an east-bound on ramp and a west-bound off ramp) at
Exit 17 will provide an opportunity to relieve congestion in the Town Center and better serve development on Old
Hartford Road. The Plan recommends that this interchange improvement be pursued. It is also a long-term goal of the
Town to align Mill Hill Road and Miller Road in this area.
Telephone Survey
Colchester should have more
ramps from Route 2,
especially at Exit 17
Strongly Agree 33%
Mildly Agree 14%
Mildly Disagree 25%
Strongly Disagree 25%
Don’t Know 3%
In order to maximize the capacity and the efficiency of the existing circulation system, the Town should continue to
implement access management techniques along arterial and collector roads. Such strategies include minimizing curb
cuts, spacing road and driveway intersections, interconnecting commercial developments, and other techniques that
minimize access locations on major roads.
In addition, the Town should make intersection improvements along the proposed inner and outer routes in order to
improve traffic flow. The need for these alternate routes is expected to increase as Colchester grows. While such
improvements may not be required in the near future, any opportunity to acquire the necessary right-of-way should be
taken advantage of.
Locations with accident concentrations in Colchester should be addressed. While CTDOT monitors accident
concentrations on State highways, there is no corresponding information available for Town roads. Locations with
noticeable accident concentrations or occurrences should be reviewed for desirable improvements.
During the planning period, the Town should continue to review unpaved roads and improve, abandon, or discontinue
each road segment, as appropriate.
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