Norwich — The regional council of governments said the state should improve Route 85 in the near future, whether or not Route 11 is ultimately extended.

The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments voted Wednesday to request the DOT create a "comprehensive improvement plan" for Route 85.

COG will ask the DOT to complete it in time to include associated projects in its capital plan for 2016-20.

The council's executive committee had recommended the council send a letter to the DOT stating that "Route 85 improvements, whether or not Route 11 goes ahead, are critical," said James Butler, the council's executive director, on Wednesday.

Salem First Selectman Kevin Lyden addressed the council on the subject Wednesday.

"The goal is to have safer passage on Route 85, which is the path from Hartford to New London," Lyden said. "Route 11 is so far out on the drawing board that there's no reason not to spend money on safety improvements (to Route 85)."

Lyden said he doesn't mean to offend officials who have worked to expand Route 11 in the future, but he said he believes Route 85 will be the path between Hartford and New London for easily the next 20 to 30 years.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich