NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A major traffic shift on I-95 northbound in New Haven went into effect on Saturday morning. The original traffic pattern was in place for the past 60 years. The shift is causing some confusion on the roads.
There are now bright orange signs on I-95 telling drivers where to go. Many drivers say they made following the new traffic pattern easier, but some still weren’t sure where to go.
“We’re lucky we made the right turn because I know where we are, but I bet you if you weren’t from here there were people getting lost,” said Steve Sivakoff, who was heading north on I-95 from Westport.
Related: Drivers react to major traffic shift now in effect in New Haven
Exit 48, which is the on-ramp to I-91 northbound, has been on the left side of I-95 for decades. It has now been moved to the right. Drivers heading north on I-95 now need to bear left, not right.
“For every day drivers it’s extremely different because we’re always used to going to the left when you go to 91,” said Vanessa Lopez, who takes I-95 to get to work.
Signs warned drivers of the ramp closures, delays and detours they’d face overnight during the construction. Crews put up new signs and moved lanes. Despite all the work that had to be done, it was finished on time and the new traffic pattern went into effect by 8 o’clock Saturday morning.
“It doesn’t impact me but I’m seeing some confusion from some of the other drivers on the road,” said John Leslie, who was heading north from Stamford. “It’s something to get used to.”
Related: Delays expected as New Haven traffic shift begins
Drivers still saw some delays during the day on Saturday, as people figured out the new traffic pattern. For now they’ll have to rely on the signs to figure out where to go, since their gadgets aren’t yet up to speed.
“The GPS was saying go that way and I’m like this is new and we found our way, but I reckon there was some people really lost,” said Sivakoff.
“I did send Google a feedback and let them know that they were wrong this morning,” said Lopez.
The DOT says the construction went smoothly last night, though there were three minor accidents related to the construction.
