Stonington ― The state Department of Transportation has addressed safety concerns at the exit 90 and 91 on-ramps to southbound Interstate 95 in response to concerns from drivers and police.

The DOT had implemented a new traffic pattern at the exit 91 on-ramp during construction which residents had said was dangerous as the shortened ramp left cars little time room to merge into traffic traveling at highway speeds.

In addition, cars stopping on the ramp risked being rear-ended as other vehicles attempting to enter the highway came around a sharp bend which blocked visibility.

State Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, said that he had reached out to the DOT earlier this month after constituents contacted him with their concerns and he experienced it himself.

State Rep. Aundré Bumgardner said Wednesday he had also reached out to the DOT about the issue.

DOT spokesman Josh Morgan said the department follows national standards when creating work zones, and that those zones are intended to keep both motorists and workers safe, however the department was able to respond to resident fears about the safety of the merge lane.

“Following the public's concerns, earlier this month, we were able to extend the merge length by approximately 500 feet,” he wrote.

The DOT also recently reconfigured the on-ramp at exit 90 at the request of the Stonington police.

According to the DOT website, construction along the southeastern Connecticut I-95 corridor is intended to improve safety along the roadway and includes milling and repaving on ramps and exit ramps, resurfacing the highway, upgrading lighting and guide rails, associated bridge work and shoulder reconstruction.

Morgan said the department is working to prioritize the work, and the project could be done by the end of the year if the weather cooperates. He said the larger project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.

“Temporary work zones and changes to traffic patterns are needed to complete this safety improvement project. We ask the public for continued patience as improvements are made along I-95 in southeastern Connecticut,” Morgan said in an email.