I-84 Waterbury photo
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy speaks of progress of transportation infrastructure in Connecticut.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the imminent completion of the I-84 widening project in Waterbury, with three eastbound lanes opening and the three westbound lanes opening by mid-September — one year early.
“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. “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 involves the addition of a third travel lane and full width shoulders in each direction and safety improvements to a 2.7-mi. segment of I-84 from Washington Street, east to Pierpont Road in Waterbury.
The work at Harpers Ferry Road, performed during an eight-week detour, included demolishing three bridges, constructing a box culvert, reconstruction of Harpers Ferry Road, and constructing the new east-west frontage road north of I-84, Plank Road East.
“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,” Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker said. “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,” Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary said. “This work will positively affect the city of Waterbury for many decades to come.”
“The construction industry appreciates this opportunity to participate with our partners delivering this project,” Don Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, said. “Reducing congestion, improving safety and fostering economic activity is a formula for a better Connecticut. This is another example of how transportation investments can transform the state.”
“It takes a lot of skilled tradespeople who work long days, nights, in the cold of winter, and on blistering hot days to accomplish a project like this,” Nate Brown, president of the Waterbury Building Trades, said. “The building trades are proud to do their part in making this a successful project.”
“[Due] to the skills and tenacity of our engineers, contractors, and inspectors, we have made great progress on the project,” CTDOT District Engineer John S. Dunham said. “Our goal was to open all additional I-84 lanes to travelers as soon as was feasible, without compromise to the high-quality of the construction.”
With the new alignment of I-84 as the backdrop, Gov. Malloy ceremoniously cut the ribbon that spanned the new Harpers Ferry Road Bridge. A local guest of the Commissioner, Dante DiBella, age 6, who has enjoyed watching the progress on the construction since he was three, viewed the event with construction workers, alongside an excavator.
Once three lanes of traffic in each direction are open on I-84, milling, shimming, and paving of I-84 will continue. Final pavement of all lanes on I-84 are anticipated to be completed in the fall. The westbound 25 on-ramp/Plank Road East/Harpers Ferry Road intersection is anticipated to open in November.
Local road work will continue this year and next spring, including improvements and reconstruction of Reidville Drive, East Main Street, Scott Road and Plank Road East.
For more information, visit i-84waterbury.com.
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