Conn. I-84 widening project to finish ahead of schedule

Updated Aug 31, 2018
Photo courtesy of I-84 Waterbury.Photo courtesy of I-84 Waterbury.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently announced that the Interstate 84 widening project is almost complete, WFSB News reports. The three eastbound lanes of Harpers Ferry Road Bridge are now open, while the three westbound lanes of the bridge will open by mid-September—a year earlier than expected.

“The I-84 Waterbury widening project is transforming and revitalizing mobility in Waterbury, and supports our goal to make Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure best-in-class,” Malloy said, according to the news agency. “This project is exemplary and has exhibited fast-paced, high-quality efficiency from its inception in 2015 — and it’s all being done one year ahead of schedule.”

The $330 million project adds a third travel lane, full-width shoulders in each direction and is expected to improve safety on a 2.7-mile stretch of I-84 from Washington Street east to Pierpont Road. Even though the project is wrapping up, milling and paving will continue.

“We are grateful to the City of Waterbury for working with us to develop and implement the detour at Harpers Ferry Road over the past eight weeks,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker, according to the news agency. “This allowed us to complete the necessary work in this vicinity in eight weeks rather than in eight months, as was originally planned. This collaboration helped expedite the early opening of additional lanes on Interstate 84.”

“We are proud to have worked collaboratively with CTDOT and its contractors to improve mobility and safety through this corridor and on local roads,” said Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, the news agency reports. “This work will positively affect the City of Waterbury for many decades to come.”