Lamont Lifts Highway Truck Ban, Shuts State Offices After Storm

Governor Ned Lamont lifted the emergency ban on commercial vehicles from Connecticut’s limited access highways Monday morning while closing executive branch state offices to the public as crews continued cleanup from a major winter storm that dumped over a foot of snow across much of the state.

Lamont announced the lifting of the commercial vehicle restriction at 6:30 a.m., roughly 18 hours after the ban took effect Sunday afternoon as snow began falling heavily across Connecticut. The restriction had applied to all commercial vehicles on interstates and limited access highways, forcing truckers to find alternate routes or wait out the storm.

“Road conditions have improved sufficiently to allow commercial traffic to resume on our highways,” a spokesperson for the governor’s office said Monday morning. “However, we’re asking all drivers to exercise extreme caution as cleanup operations continue.”

The decision to reopen highways to trucks came as the Connecticut Department of Transportation reported that most major routes were passable, though officials warned that secondary roads remained hazardous in many areas. Snow totals varied widely across the state, with Fairfield County communities like Greenwich and Stamford receiving 8-12 inches, while parts of Litchfield County saw accumulations exceeding 18 inches.

Despite lifting the truck ban, Lamont ordered all executive branch state office buildings to remain closed to the public Monday, though essential services continued operating. The closure affected state agencies in Hartford, regional offices across Connecticut’s eight counties, and Department of Motor Vehicles branches that handle licensing and registration services.

State employees were directed to work remotely where possible, continuing a practice that became routine during the pandemic but has been used selectively since most offices reopened. The closure does not affect the legislature, which maintains its own schedule, or judicial branch operations.

The storm marked the first significant test of Connecticut’s winter weather response under Lamont’s administration this season. The governor, who has emphasized infrastructure improvements as a key priority, has invested heavily in DOT equipment and personnel since taking office in 2019.

Connecticut deployed more than 600 plows and salt trucks across the state highway system, with additional resources provided by municipalities for local roads. The coordinated response drew on lessons learned from previous storms that left some communities isolated for days.

“We’ve significantly improved our storm response capabilities over the past few years,” said a DOT spokesperson. “The quick turnaround on highway clearing demonstrates that investment in equipment and personnel is paying off.”

The commercial vehicle ban, while disruptive to freight operations, reflected standard practice for severe weather events. Connecticut typically restricts truck traffic when visibility drops below safe levels or when snow accumulation makes maintaining control difficult for large vehicles.

Trucking companies had been anticipating the restriction as weather forecasts called for heavy snow Sunday into Monday morning. Many operators parked vehicles at truck stops along I-95 and I-84 or diverted loads to avoid the affected timeframe entirely.

For Politics & Government watchers, the storm response offered insight into how state agencies coordinate during emergencies. Lamont has streamlined decision-making processes since taking office, centralizing authority while maintaining communication with local officials.

The governor’s office maintained regular updates throughout the storm via social media and press releases, a communication strategy that has become standard practice since the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of clear public messaging during crises.

Power outages remained relatively minor compared to previous storms, with Eversource and United Illuminating reporting fewer than 15,000 customers without electricity at peak impact. Most outages were concentrated in Litchfield and New Haven counties, where heavy, wet snow brought down tree branches onto power lines.

School districts across Connecticut had already announced closures for Monday before the snow began falling, with most superintendents opting for remote learning rather than traditional snow days. The practice, adopted widely during the pandemic, has given districts more flexibility in maintaining educational continuity.

The storm’s impact on Connecticut’s economy remained limited due to its timing over a weekend, though some businesses in tourism-dependent areas like Mystic and Essex saw cancellations for Monday activities. Ski areas in Litchfield County, however, welcomed the natural snowfall as a boost to early-season conditions.

Looking ahead, state officials said they expect normal operations to resume Tuesday, pending overnight temperatures and any additional precipitation. The National Weather Service forecast called for clearing skies Monday night with temperatures dropping into the teens, potentially creating icy conditions on roads that weren’t fully cleared.

The quick resolution of highway restrictions marked a contrast with storms in previous years that kept commercial traffic sidelined for extended periods. The efficiency reflected both improved forecasting and enhanced preparation by state agencies responsible for maintaining transportation networks critical to Connecticut’s economy.

Lamont’s administration has made winter weather preparedness a priority since taking office, particularly after criticism of previous responses that left some communities struggling with prolonged power outages and impassable roads. The emphasis on rapid highway clearing aligns with broader efforts to support Connecticut’s role as a transportation corridor between New York and Boston.