‘Flex lanes’ could cut your commute. CT is a step closer to getting them
"Flex lanes" can use an existing median to add an extra lane – in either direction. The Connecticut House gave them the green light them on Wednesday.
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Sick of sitting in traffic all day?
Relief could be coming.
On Wednesday, the Connecticut House of Representatives approved “flex lanes,” which use existing highway shoulders to add an extra lane during heavy congestion – and can even switch direction based on the time of day.
“FLEX LANES”
How bad is traffic in Connecticut?
“I live my life based on rush hour,” said Larry O'Brien, of Norwalk. “I just got back from the dentist because I wasn’t going to go at 9 a.m. or 4 p.m.”
The Connecticut Department of Transportation thinks flex lanes, also known as “dynamic part-time lanes,” are a simple solution.
“Flex Lanes are used in several other states and are a low-cost strategy with minimal change in infrastructure needed,” said DOT spokesperson Josh Morgan. “Flex lanes do not add to any capacity or create new infrastructure; rather, they maximize the efficiency of existing roadway space to restore and maintain the flow of traffic, reducing delays.”
The first flex lane is slated for Interstate 84 between exits 3 and 7 in Danbury. It would carry traffic westbound (toward New York) in the morning and eastbound (toward Brookfield and Waterbury) in the evening. A trip now averaging 31 minutes could drop to just eight minutes, according to DOT estimates.
Construction is scheduled to begin during Summer 2028 with the project completed by 2031.
The state House gave flex lanes the green light on Wednesday as part of a wide-ranging transportation bill. They could also be designated only for transit buses or High Occupancy Vehicle use.
CAMERA CONTROVERSY
Flex lanes come with some concerns.
They would include automated enforcement cameras, but they could not be used to catch speeders.
“The cameras are only triggered by a violation, so if someone is traveling in the flex lane at a time when it is not – does not have the green light to do so,” said state Rep. Amiee Berger-Girvalo (D-Ridgefield).
Drivers would receive a $75 fine for driving in a closed flex lane.
The legislation originally included a two-year pilot program allowing speed cameras on all state highways, but lawmakers abandoned the idea.
“I’ve never been supportive of this camera approach, and I think it fundamentally points to the bigger problem that we don't have enough public safety officers,” said Connecticut House GOP leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford).
Currently, only local cities and towns can install automated speed cameras, as well as some highway work zones.
WILL IT WORK?
More than a dozen other states already have some form of dynamic part-time lanes.
“When I go to places like Florida or even up here, where it’s a little more spread out than New York is, I feel the difference,” said Shawn Allen, a driver from Long Island, N.Y. “If your artery is too tight, you can’t get nothing through it. Open it up a little bit; let something get through.”
Other drivers aren’t sure it will work.
“I have no clue,” O’Brien said. “Just as long as they don’t put the toll booths back.”
Some places – like Virginia – charge tolls to use flex lanes. Connecticut ended highway tolling in the 1980s.
One lawmaker worries the new traffic pattern will confuse drivers.
“Will the flex lanes be blocked from access when not in use, or are they just purely the shoulders?” asked state Rep. Seth Bronko (R-Naugatuck).
Connecticut State Police also raised safety concerns.
“Dynamic part-time lanes may require additional enforcement, specialized training, updated signage coordination, public education efforts and potential technology or infrastructure adjustments,” said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection commissioner Ronnell Higgins. “The Connecticut State Police is currently operating under staffing challenges, and adding enforcement responsibilities associated with dynamic part-time lanes may further strain already limited resources.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
The bill now heads to the Connecticut Senate, where lawmakers must vote on it by next Wednesday.
It’s unclear if Gov. Ned Lamont supports the legislation.
