Gov. Malloy Announces Infrastructure Improvements With Upgrades to I-84 in West Hartford and Route 15 in New Haven
Renews Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Transportation Funds
HARTFORD, CT – December 16, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that funding has been approved to advance the upgrade of two major infrastructure projects in need of improvement: I-84 in West Hartford and Route 15 between New Haven and Woodbridge. The funds were approved as part of the Governor’s ongoing “Let’s Go CT!” transportation plan, which will make unprecedented investments to upgrade Connecticut’s transportation system. The Governor aims to revitalize the state’s aging infrastructure to make it best-in-class, attract business, and grow jobs.
“These two projects we are announcing will improve overall driver safety, capacity, and traffic flow on two of our busiest highways: I-84 in West Hartford and Route 15 in New Haven,” Governor Malloy said. “I cannot stress enough how important Connecticut’s economic future and our ability to grow jobs are tied directly to the condition of our transportation system. We can’t afford to wait – the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of making these critical investments. If we want to grow jobs and attract companies in the future, then we need to move forward with Let’s Go CT now. And as we take these steps, we must get a constitutional lockbox for transportation funds on the ballot as soon as possible.”
A total of $3 million in funds have been approved for the final design of safety and capacity improvements that are coming to I-84 in West Hartford, an area that sees over 175,000 vehicles per day. The project will include:
A westbound thru lane from Interchange 39A (Route 9) to Interchange 43
An eastbound auxiliary lane from interchange 40 (New Britain Avenue) to Interchange 41 (South Main Street)
Left and right shoulder widening
Complete replacement of two bridges over Berkshire Road, and widening of the bridge over Ridgewood Road
An additional operation lane to improve merging and safety
Construction on the project is anticipated to begin within the next five years.
The project on Route 15 in New Haven and Woodbridge includes $2 million for the preliminary design for rehabilitation of the Heroes Tunnel (formerly West Rock Tunnel) and Interchange 59 on Route 15. The twin-tube tunnel opened in 1949 and carries the Wilbur Cross Parkway through West Rock Ridge in New Haven. Today, it carries roughly 75,000 vehicles per day and requires constant maintenance due to its poor condition and hazards created by falling concrete, ice, and poor illumination. Rehabilitation will use innovative means to maintain traffic flow during construction and to shorten the duration of construction, which will involve building a third tunnel.
The project also includes the reconstruction and reconfiguration of the existing Exit 59 interchange in New Haven and Woodbridge on Route 15, addressing an area which has substandard geometry.
The design funds for both projects were approved at the December 11, 2015 meeting of the State Bond Commission, on which Governor Malloy serves on as Chairman.
In addition, the Governor today renewed his calls for the state legislature to approve a constitutional amendment to protect transportation dollars and ensure that every penny raised for transportation go towards this purpose.
“Once again next session, we will push constitutional lockbox for transportation dollars,” Governor Malloy said. “These projects are too important, so I will continue to push for a covenant between residents and the State of Connecticut. Dollars dedicated towards transportation should be used only for that purpose.”
Contact
David Bednarz
Office: 860-524-7315
Cell: 860-770-9792
Email: David.Bednarz (at) ct (dot) gov
Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy
