The members of the Clinton Police Department, who have the unlucky role of receiving many, many traffic complaints on Black Friday, are advising Clinton commuters and residents to avoid Route 81, especially near Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets if at all possible.
This goes for Killingworth residents as well.
Route 81, as you near the outlet mall from both directions, will be absolutely packed with traffic on Friday, Nov. 23, said police.
"We understand that people needing to get to the Henry Carter Hull Library or The Morgan School have no real alternate route and will just have to do their best dealing with congestion," said police.
"Every year we get complaints about the traffic. The bottom line is there’s going to be traffic and lots of it regardless of the weather," said police.
Black Friday, held the day after Thanksgiving, is a huge shopping day across the country and folks come from all over the state, Rhode Island and New York to shop at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets.
Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days.
The Clinton Police would like to suggest people consider using the following alternate routes:
- For North/South travel use either Cow Hill Road (West of Rt. 81) or Hurd Bridge/ Glenwood Road to Liberty Street (East of Rt. 81).
- It is also suggested that people needing to access I-95 consider getting on I-95 at exit 62 (Hammonasset Connector) in Madison for southbound travel; and exit 64 (Route 145) in Westbrook for northbound travel.
