NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – The Connecticut Department of Transportation has begun installing wrong-way detection systems across the state.
These installations come after a new state law went into effect on Oct. 1 that would install these systems on at least 120 highway exit ramps that are considered high-risk.
Installations began as early as Oct. 2 and will continue throughout the first week of the month. Below are some of the following locations where CTDOT will be installing the systems:
- Route 3 and I-91 Southbound in Wethersfield: Starting Oct. 2 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- I-81 Westbound Exit 32 ramp in Southington: Starting on Oct. 3 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- I-84 Westbound Exit 57 HOV ramp in East Hartford: Starting Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Route 218 HOV ramp in Meriden: Starting Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
CTDOT officials said modification and extensions could be necessary to the schedule pending weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances.
Kenneth Brickhouse, who lost the mother of his children in a wrong-way crash last year, called the changes “too late.”
Monica Wilson was a few hours away from her 42nd birthday when she was hit and killed. Her two children, ages 7 and 8, were in the backseat. Brickhouse was a few minutes behind them on Route 8 in Bridgeport.
When he passed by the wreck, he asked police about the type of car involved. Then, at the hospital, he asked a doctor about Wilson after hearing one of his sons had several broken bones, and the other a spinal injury.
“He got quiet,” Brickhouse said. “I said, ‘OK, what happened to Mom?’ and he said, ‘I’m sorry, she didn’t make it.'”
Later, the driver of the other vehicle was charged with manslaughter. Police said his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.
The crash was one of 23 fatal wrong-way crashes last year, according to CTDOT.
“She made parenting easy,” Brickhouse said. “She was a beautiful, active mother.”
A GoFundMe to help Wilson’s children has raised more than $20,000.
To learn more about the installation of wrong-way detection systems, click here.