House Republican Press Release

February 20, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Sawyer Calls on DOT for Route 6 Changes

Latest Traffic Death Demonstrates Need for Action

HARTFORD- Following another tragic head-on fatality on Route 6 over the past weekend, State Representative Pam Sawyer (R-Bolton), a member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee today called on the State Department of Transportation to make improvements to the road that would reduce the likelihood of more accidents.

Over the past 22 years, there have been 34 such fatalities along this stretch of roadway, earning it the nickname “Suicide Six.”

In a letter to acting DOT Commissioner Emil H. Frankel, Sawyer observed that along the same road, over the state line, Rhode Island has addressed the issue by separating opposing traffic by making the center yellow lines 36 inches apart as opposed to the standard 8, creating a wider center median.  They have also placed a rumble strip running through the center of the road.

Sawyer called on Frankel to contact Rhode Island to determine if these differences have made a measurable reduction in accidents along the stretch of Route 6 which winds through Foster, RI.  She recommended that if such differences in the road have demonstrably improved safety over the border, that DOT should develop a pilot plan on Route 6 developing a wider center median.

In 2005 parts of Route 6 were widened with traffic signals and turn lanes added, greatly reducing accidents since then.

“There have been some improvements to Route 6 between Bolton and Columbia, but this recent tragedy demonstrates that this roadway is still unusually dangerous,” said Sawyer.  “Perhaps a wider median as in the Rhode Island design can substantially decrease the likelihood of accidents caused by crossing the center divide.  If so, we should take the necessary steps to make this roadway safer for everyone traveling on it.”