CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: October 22, 2014

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Bids Opened for I-84 Widening Project in Waterbury

         The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) today opened bids for the long-anticipated I-84 widening project in Waterbury and I-84 Constructors Joint Venture is the apparent low bidder for the contract at $260.55 million. The DOT now has 60 days to review the three bids received and will then award a contract; some preliminary work will begin before the end of 2014, and full construction will begin in the spring of 2015.

         With ancillary project costs such as contingencies and utility work, the project is now expected to cost about $325 million, compared with earlier estimates of $365 million to $400 million.

         “The fact that we are already looking at spending 10 percent less than we had anticipated is great news,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “Not only will we be improving the flow of commerce and commuting in this important corridor, we will be creating thousands of jobs. This is another smart investment in our infrastructure that will keep Connecticut moving forward and bring benefits for years to come.”

         The project involves the full reconstruction of a 2.7-mile section of I-84 from the Hamilton Avenue (Route 69) overpass to the Austin Road interchange (Exit 25A) in Waterbury. It is Phase Three of a three-phase project to widen the highway in one of Connecticut’s most difficult traffic bottlenecks and should be completed in 2019.

            Connecticut’s share of the project cost – previously approved by the State Bond Commission – will be $145 million. The remaining $180 million will come through the Federal Highway Administration. It is estimated that the project will create or sustain 3,000 construction jobs and another 3,700 ancillary jobs.

         “This segment of I-84, constructed in the 1960s, was designed to handle approximately 34,000 vehicles per day but currently handles more than 105,000 vehicles daily,” said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “Today’s bid-opening marks another major milestone for this project and we are eagerly anticipating start of construction.”

Additional project details

         The reconstructed I-84 will have a 12-foot wide right shoulder, three 12-foot wide travel lanes and a 12-foot wide left shoulder in each direction of travel, separated by a 10 foot wide concrete barrier section. Additionally, a 12-foot auxiliary lane will be provided on I-84 westbound between the on-ramp from Harpers Ferry Road and the off-ramp to Hamilton Avenue.

         The proposed reconstruction includes realigning approximately one mile of I-84 in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry Road to eliminate the sharp reverse-curve alignment. Approximately 2,000 feet of Reidville Drive will be relocated to accommodate this realignment. On the north side of I-84, a new frontage road, referred to as Plank Road East, will be constructed parallel to I-84 between Scott Road and Harpers Ferry Road. Roadway improvements are proposed for Hamilton Avenue, Harpers Ferry Road, Scott Road, Reidville Drive, Plank Road, Plank Road East and East Main Street.

         All existing traffic signals will be replaced with new equipment. Proposed structure work includes the construction of nine highway bridges, one pedestrian bridge, 20 retaining walls and six box culverts. The existing pedestrian underpass providing access to Hamilton Park from Hamilton Avenue on the south side of I-84 will be eliminated. Pedestrian access will be maintained along the east bank of the Mad River under the new bridge carrying I-84 over the river. Additionally, the existing pedestrian bridge over the Mad River will be replaced by a new pedestrian bridge, located approximately 95 feet upstream.