Commissioner Stephen E. Korta

Department of Transportation

2800 Berlin Turnpike

Newington , CT 06111

Dear Commissioner Korta,

Preliminary reports indicate that speed in conjunction with icy or slick road conditions were potentially a factor in yesterday's early morning crash on Avon Mountain . Considering Avon Mountain 's steep slope, its accident history, and the recent formation of the Avon Mountain Accident task force, it is imperative that the Department of Transportation take extraordinary measures to ensure that the condition of the roadway is safe for commuter and commercial traffic.

We called for the formation of the task force so that short term as well as long term measures would be implemented to ensure that everything possible was being done to improve the safety of travel on the mountain. Many measures have been implemented or will be implemented and on behalf of our constituents who routinely travel route 44, we are thankful.

We are disturbed to hear, however, that icy or slick road conditions were potentially a factor and believe that a determination needs to be made as to whether an appropriate level of sand and salt is being dropped on the slick areas of the mountain. Please investigate as to whether or not sand and salt was used yesterday morning and if sand and salt is being dropped often enough to maintain safe road conditions. Travel on a mountain this steep cannot be deemed safe unless there is constant vigilance with regard to the dropping of sand and salt on icy or slick areas.

Please advise us as to what steps have been taken to ensure that icy or slick road conditions have been mitigated.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Herlihy Jonathan Harris
State Senator - 8th District State Senator

Jonathan Harris
State Senator - 5th District

cc: Governor M. Jodi Rell

Pam Sucato, Legislative Liaison