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CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546 |
| FOR RELEASE: January 16, 2015 |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot |
Public Scoping Meeting for the I-84 Viaduct Reconstruction Project
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will hold a Public Scoping Meeting for the I-84 Hartford Reconstruction Project on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, from 3:00 to 7:30 PM, at the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103. A presentation will be made at 5:30 PM.
The CTDOT is in the planning phase for the reconstruction of
I-84 in Hartford between approximately Hamilton Avenue and the I-91
interchange. The purpose of the project is to address structural deficiencies,
improve traffic operations and safety, and improve mobility on and along the
roughly three-mile section of I-84 in Hartford. Other project goals include
reducing the highway’s visual and physical impact on adjoining neighborhoods
and better integrating it into the urban environment.
The scoping meeting will provide members of the public with
an opportunity to learn more about the project, to comment on the preliminary
alternatives, and to voice their key concerns. Public input will be used for
the environmental analysis and documentation in conformance with requirements
of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Connecticut Environmental
Policy Act.
Originally constructed in the 1960s, I-84 through Hartford
is the busiest section of highway in the state carrying more than 175,000
vehicles daily, more than three times its original planned volume. The
majority of this 50-year-old highway was constructed on elevated structures, or
viaducts, which are reaching the end of their useful life and must be replaced.
The project planning is being funded by a combination of
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds and state funds. Comments can
be submitted verbally or in writing at the Public Scoping Meeting,
through the project website at www.i84hartford.com,
or in writing to: Richard B. Armstrong, Principal Engineer, Connecticut
Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546.; or
emailed to Richard.armstrong@ct.gov
with the subject heading “I-84 HARTFORD Project.” Comments must be
postmarked by February 20, 2015 in order to be considered within the Scoping
Summary Report. Scoping materials will also be available on the
project website, www.i84hartford.com.
Over the past two years, CTDOT has undertaken a
comprehensive data collection and analysis to fully understand I-84’s traffic,
structural and safety characteristics. During this period, it has engaged
the public and received input through numerous stakeholder interviews,
community meetings, working groups and a public advisory committee. Conceptual
redesign alternatives will be presented at the meeting. Following the meeting
and with input from the public, CTDOT will develop alternatives in greater
detail for a comprehensive comparison analysis, likely to occur through this year
and into next year.