The Connecticut Department of Transportation is developing plans for a pavement preservation project that will address a roughly 5.8-mi. section of Route 2 in Colchester and Marlborough during the 2027 construction season.
The project will involve milling and overlaying the existing pavement on both the eastbound and westbound sides of Route 2. The work is intended to preserve the highway before more extensive pavement deterioration occurs and is part of CTDOT's broader approach to maintaining the state's transportation infrastructure.
On the eastbound side, the project will begin in Marlborough near Bridge No. 01710, which carries Park Road over Route 2, at approximately Mile Point 14.60. From there, the work will continue east into Colchester, ending at Bridge No. 03461, where Route 2 passes over Route 149, also known as Westchester Road, at approximately Mile Point 20.37.
The westbound project limits are essentially the reverse. Work will begin in Colchester at Bridge No. 00392, where Route 2 crosses over Route 149 at Mile Point 20.37, and continue west to the vicinity of Bridge No. 01710 in Marlborough.
In addition to the mainline highway, the project will include pavement treatment on associated Route 2 on- and off-ramps. CTDOT anticipates that some ramps may need to be closed temporarily while construction activities are underway. If closures are necessary, the department says short-term, off-peak detours will be used to maintain access while limiting disruption to motorists.
Preserving Route 2 Before Major Reconstruction
Rather than waiting for pavement to deteriorate to the point where full-depth reconstruction is required, pavement preservation projects use treatments such as milling and resurfacing to extend the useful life of a roadway.
CTDOT's pavement preservation program is tied to the department's Transportation Asset Management Plan, or TAMP. The plan provides a framework for managing transportation assets over their life cycles and prioritizing investments based on the condition and performance of roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
For a heavily traveled highway such as Route 2, maintaining the pavement while it remains suitable for preservation can help protect the state's investment in the roadway and improve pavement performance over time. CTDOT said the project is specifically intended to help the department meet its TAMP goals by extending overall pavement life.
Route 2 is a major east-west highway across central and eastern Connecticut. The section included in the project connects Marlborough and Colchester and provides access to surrounding communities and regional destinations. Route 2 also serves as an important connection between the Hartford area and southeastern Connecticut.
The project is currently in the design phase. CTDOT's present schedule calls for design to be completed in October 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2027. The schedule remains subject to acceptance of the project, availability of funding and receipt of any required right-of-way and environmental permits.
The project will be funded entirely with state funds.
Because construction is still in the planning stage, CTDOT has not yet released a detailed construction schedule or specific traffic-management plan.
