1. Post-Scoping Notice for I-84 Hartford Project
Municipality where it would be located: Hartford
CEPA Determination: On December 16, 2014, the Connecticut Department of Transportation published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed action in the Environmental Monitor. A public scoping meeting was held on January 21, 2015.
It was determined that the potential impacts associated with the project would require a joint Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIS/EIE) to satisfy both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was the lead Federal agency for NEPA compliance, and on September 30, 2016 FHWA published a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register for the preparation of an EIS/EIE.
The purpose of the proposed project was to address structural deficiencies, improve traffic operations and safety, and improve mobility on and along the I-84 corridor within the project limits, while maintaining access for the City of Hartford and adjacent communities. The EIS/EIE began to study a reasonable range of alternatives to address the proposed project's purpose and need. Alternatives under consideration included (1) No Build Alternative; (2) Elevated Highway Alternative; (3) Lowered Highway Alternative; and (4) Tunneled Highway Alternative.
Numerous public informational meetings, interagency coordination meetings, and project advisory committee meetings were held, however a draft EIS/EIE was never completed or released. CTDOT has determined not to proceed with the project, as described in the Scoping Notice, at this time.
CTDOT has instead chosen to pursue a larger scale study looking at mobility in the Hartford area, and intends to utilize the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process to identify possible future projects. The new study, to be called the Greater Hartford Mobility Study, will be initiated to identify and prioritize possible projects, based on regional purpose and needs.
On April 20, 2020 FHWA published a notice of rescission of the NOI in the Federal Register to officially close out the NEPA process for the I-84 Hartford project. CTDOT will initiate new NEPA and CEPA studies, as appropriate, to assess the potential environmental impacts of future actions that involve the study area.
Additional information regarding the I-84 Hartford project history and the future Greater Hartford Mobility Study can be found at : http://www.i84hartford.com
Agency contact:
Name: Mr. Andy Fesenmeyer, Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: (860) 594-3228
E-Mail: Andy.Fesenmeyer@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency.
Agency contact:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: (860) 594-3045
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov