West Haven I-95 Exit Ramp Closed for Construction

The old Interstate 95 south exit 44 to Kimberly Avenue has closed in West Haven and drivers are reminded they'll have to use the new exit, formerly exit 45, instead.

In the past,  drivers getting off of the southbound side of I-95 in West Haven at exit 44 have probably experienced the quick change over of lanes. Drivers trying to get on the highway would be shifting lanes while drivers getting off the highway were trying to do the same.

It’s a problem the Department of Transportation plans to fix, closing the old southbound exit on April 21. They plan to tear it down to improve safety, efficiency and have less traffic congestion.

Clive Watson has done it.

“When you’re coming on the highway, it’s just a short distance before it ends for you to get on, so it’s a problem,” Said Watson.

The exit in question makes a loop and goes into Kimberly Avenue.

Mayor Ed O’Brien said the change will re-direct traffic onto Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.

“Then there will be two left turns and they’ll come down to Kimberly Avenue. And then into West Haven,” Said O’Brien.

Demolishing the exit also means there will not be a southbound exit into West Haven off of I-95.

“The exit 45, that’s currently New Haven exit… it’s going to be exchanged to exit 44,” said O’Brien, who isn’t happy with the removal of the exit because it does not take drivers directly into downtown West Haven. However, when it comes to safety, O’Brien said that’s more important.

Drivers NBC Connecticut spoke with agree.

“Yeah, it’s a good idea,” Said Watson.

City leaders say the closure is all part of a larger project: construction of a new mall.

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