MONROE, CT — The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced the reopening of Route 34, between Monroe Turnpike (Route 111) and Coppermine Road, across from the Stevenson Dam, Tuesday.
“Great news!” the state agency said in a post on X. “Thank you to the crews who worked around the clock to get the roadway reopened.”
The DOT said the latest updates on work continuing in other areas can be found at CTroads.org.
“Monroe has had very good communication with the state,” First Selectman Terry Rooney said Wednesday. “However, I am pleasantly surprised with the responsiveness of the state. Manafort Construction stepped up on this project, which helped the state get this done.”
Rooney said paving is being done on Cottage Street by Monroe Public Works Wednesday morning and he expects it to be completed by this afternoon. School is starting tomorrow and Cottage Street is the last town-owned road to be opened to traffic since the massive floods on Aug. 18.
In his 29 years as a Monroe police officer, Chief Keith White told The Sun this is the largest and most impressive job completed by the town highway department.
Though happy with the DOT’s progress on Route 34, the first selectman expressed concern over the potential undermining of water areas along state roads running through the town.
“Although it’s believed most damage can be visually recognized, moving water can do unseen damage that can appear in the future,” Rooney said. “I’m waiting to hear if there is any type of scanning that is available to see voids beneath our asphalt. The state DOT told me they will get back to me soon with a response.”
State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-21st District, released a statement on the reopening.
“It’s excellent news,” Kelly said. “DOT crews have been working around the clock to get this key artery reopened. Local workers and their families depend on Route 34. The local economy depends on this road. We thank the DOT for working tirelessly to address the closure as soon as possible.”
“Thank you to the hardworking and dedicated workers at the Connecticut DOT,” State Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, said Wednesday. “They have spent long hours and done amazing work to get Route 34 open in Monroe. This will significantly help those who commute from other towns make a more direct path to get to work saving them time and stress.”
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
