The regional roadway system consists of a hierarchy of road types: freeways, major non-freeway roadways (arterials), and collector and local roadways. The freeways are limited access, grade-separated facilities whose function is to serve longer distance trips and through traffic. Arterial roadways are not limited access and generally have at-grade intersections. They typically serve a dual purpose of carrying longer distance trips, but also serve shorter trips and provide access to abutting land uses. The primary function of collector and local roads is proving access to abutting property.
There are approximately 115 miles of freeways, 560 miles of arterial roadways, and approximately 3,345 miles of collector and local roads within the Capitol Region. In 2015, total travel in the region was about 20.3 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per day. VMT is expected to grow approximately 12% over the next 25 years, which calculates to be approximately 22.75 million vehicles per day by 2040.
To safely and efficiently manage vehicular traffic flow a number of initiatives are being advanced. Congestion management and traffic incident management strategies are monitored and advanced as well as freight initiatives (provide a link to freight) and roadway projects (see below)
- Interstate 84 (http://www.i84hartford.com/)
- Interstate 91 Charter Oak Bridge
- Connecticut Department of Transportation Capital Plan (http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1383&Q=454340)
- Farmington and Hartford: Transportation Safety and Improvement Study