Parade Info, Traffic Construction, and more

March 22, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Saturday!

In this week's eblast, you can read about what I've been up to around the district, upcoming lane shift and traffic control signal construction, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 
Lane Shifts and Traffic Control Signal Construction

The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced a lane shift along I-95 northbound between the Exit 89 on-ramp to just past the bridge over Deans Mill Road will be in effect starting the week of March 31, 2025 and ending by June 2025. During this lane shift period, the Scenic Overlook Area will be closed for a duration of no more than 8 weeks to facilitate construction improvements in this area.  
 

Pavement line striping and traffic control devices including concrete barriers, drums and signage will guide motorists through the work zone. 

Please use caution and maintain a safe speed when driving through work zones.
 

Oversize/Overweight Restriction Information:

New Lane Widths: 11.5’

New Shoulder Widths: 1’

New Overhead Height: N/A

New Weight Capacity: N/A

Restriction Anticipated Start Date of Restrictions: 03/31/2025

Restriction Anticipated Completion Date of Restrictions: 05/31/2025

In addition, the CT DOT will be installing and revision traffic control signals at Route 213 (Ocean Avenue) at Willetts Avenue Tuesday, April 1, and is scheduled to be completed on Friday, August 22.
 

There will be various lane closures from April 1, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Traffic control signing patterns flaggers, state and local police officers will guide motorists through the work zone.
 
New London's Veterans March

Last weekend, I was proud to take to the streets with neighbors in our community to rally for veterans who are at risk of losing their jobs and access to vital programs and resources due to federal cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Our veterans risked their lives for our countries, and it is wrong to repay them by stripping their healthcare and eliminating their jobs. As your state representative and a member of the Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs, I will always take a stand to protect our veterans, just like they protected us.
 
Funding for the Garde Arts Center and Planned Parenthood

In last week's Community Innovation Fund 2030 board meeting, I was thrilled to see two critical New London projects receive funding:
  • $4 million for the Garde Arts Center, Inc. to renovate and expand the Mercer Community Hall to offer affordable event space, support arts and workforce opportunities, and retain activities within the city
  • Over $2 million for the Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, New London to renovate and expand their New London property to become the home of PPSNE's New London health center
The Community Investment Fund seeks to help develop historically underserved communities, and the funding of these two projects will help bring our community together and provide much needed resources to our residents.
 
LEND Program at the Capitol

It was great to join State Representatives Jill Barry and Mike Demicco State Senators Derek Slap and Jeff Gordon to meet up with members of the UConn Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program for LEND Legislative Advocacy Day last week.

Members of the program spoke about some of the issues that affect individuals with disabilities, and it was powerful to hear their experiences firsthand. It's conversations like these that really make an impact in the legislative process, and I thank members of the LEND program for being open about the issues that matter most to them.
 
New London's St. Patrick's Day Parade + Mystic Parade Information

I had a blast attending and marching in New London's St. Patrick's Day parade last weekend! Seeing the enthusiasm of the crowd, volunteers, organizers, and marchers reminded me how special of a community we live in.

And the festivities don't end there!

The 20th Annual Mystic Irish Parade will take place this Sunday, March 23 at 1pm!

The event will begin at the South Parking Lot of Mystic Seaport and end at the Groton Police sub-station (Mystic Museum of Art) . You can see the entire route below.

The event will be busy, so please read below for information on parking:

Downtown parking can be found at the Mystic Arts Center Parking lot, 9 Water Street, this is were the parade ends and is signified by the star on the map above. Lots of additional smaller parking lots can be found along the parade route or on the many side streets along the route, please reference the map above for locations of side streets. Parking is also plentiful in the Olde Mistick Village parking lot, however it is a mile walk from there to the parade route.

You can read more about the parade here!
 
Year-Round School Programming at New London Public Schools

Below is a message from the New London Public School system on expanding year-round school programming:

Based on the success of, and increased interest in, Connecticut’s only multi-aged, multi-session, year-round schooling model, New London Public Schools is considering increasing sections to include opening new sections at CB Jennings International Elementary Magnet School as well as in preschool and in the 6 and 7th grades. The district is also seeking additional business and community partners to enhance enrichment and learning opportunities for students, teachers, and families. 

 

Currently, the program serves 130 K-5 students at Winthrop STEM Elementary School and Nathan Hale Arts Magnet Elementary School, offering six weeks of schooling with two-week breaks, rotating for twelve months of the year. Several new options for extended learning are in the process of being planned for the “break times”.

 

Information sessions for parents and families will be held on Monday, April 21, 6pm; Friday, April 25, 8:30 am; and Monday, April 28, 4pm at the district’s Welcome Center (3 Shaw’s Cove #201). To register, call 860-444-3181. For more information, contact Janet Farquhar, Director of Magnet Pathways at farquharj@newlondon.org or https://yearround.newlondon.org/. 

 

Out-of-district students from all cities and towns in Connecticut are welcome. The deadline to submit your child’s application is April 4, 2025 for session-based schooling which will start on Monday, July 7.
 
Grant for Groton Schools

If you have a moment, I highly encourage you to read this article from The Day detailing Groton Public Schools' farm-to-school program.

The program just unveiled a hydroponic shipping container farm that will help provide fresh food for the community, which they bough after the school was selected by the state Department of Agriculture for a $250,000 CT Grown for CT Kids Grant.

I was honored to present a citation to the school district from the General Assembly recognizing how these innovative ideas are teaching our students valuable lessons while helping make our community healthier!
 

Sincerely,

Dan Gaiewski
State Representative

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