It's something you don't expect: running into a stop sign in order to merge onto a highway. Middletown drivers say it's a recipe for disaster.
"A lot of people don't use that ramp anymore after they've been hit," said Middletown resident Jennifer Saines.
Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew agreed that something needs to be done.
"It's definitely a high-accident area. We all know. We've all been through it. I've almost gotten into several accidents there myself," said Drew.
Out of thousands of locations around the state, the Route 17 on-ramp to Route 9 north ranks as having the second highest accident rate in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Some 375 accidents have been reported there over the past three years.
"Luckily there haven't been too many injuries out here. It has mostly been fender benders, but in terms of the number of accidents, it's very high," said state DOT Principal Engineer of Highway Design Will Britnell.
The DOT pitched its solution to the problem Tuesday night at a meeting at Middletown City Hall.
The idea is to eliminate the stop sign and widen the bridge, which would give drivers a lane to accelerate. Engineers would also relocate the intersection underneath and eliminate the Harbor Drive entrance ramp to Route 9, turning it into a road suited to local needs.
Those living nearby fear that it will encourage car to race through the area.
"We have a tremendous volume of traffic already in the neighborhood. We don't want it to increase in any way," said Saines.
Despite their concerns, drivers say it's time to make a change.
"I don't think anyone disagrees it needs to be fixed. The question is what's the best way to do it," said Drew.
The project is estimated to cost $20-25 million. Construction will take two to three years if the proposal is approved.
