Press Releases
GOVERNOR MALLOY, CONGRESSWOMAN DELAURO LEAD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR Q BRIDGE INTERCHANGE IN NEW HAVEN
(NEW HAVEN, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Mayor John DeStefano and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez led a ceremonial groundbreaking today for the reconstruction of the I-95/I-91/Route 34 Interchange in New Haven - a $357 million piece of the $2 billion Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge replacement project.
"This ambitious project is the largest and most complex transportation renewal initiative ever undertaken in the State of Connecticut. As many motorists in the area know, these changes are long overdue and will be a welcomed sight for the many people who travel these roads daily," Governor Malloy said. "Relieving the congestion in this incredibly busy corridor is vital to the economic development of the region and, frankly, the state as a whole. Ultimately, infrastructure improvements like these will improve the speed and flow of commerce throughout our state."
The project, formally known as the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program (and informally known as the Q Bridge project because the bridge is located over the Quinnipiac River), is expected to be completed in 2016. The program has or will have created or sustained thousands of jobs (see additional jobs information below). The bridge itself will be a distinctive "signature" structure, with five lanes in each direction, supported by cables stretching from two piers now being constructed in the middle of the river.
"This interchange is a huge step in the right direction and, along with the infrastructure investments happening around New Haven and across the state, will spur our economy and ensure that our Connecticut businesses have the infrastructure they need to compete, to expand, and to thrive. By investing more in our state and national infrastructure, we can create more good American jobs, revitalize our economy, and restore the conditions for long-term prosperity," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "I am proud to be here today with so many of my friends and colleagues who have worked for years to make this day possible, and I look forward to seeing the finished project."
A joint venture of O&G Industries, Inc./Tutor Perini Corporation is building the new interchange under a $357 million contract with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT). It will be completed in stages to help minimize impacts to interstate traffic. Any lane closures on the interstate will take place at night. Local roads may be affected during the daytime, but there are no planned lane closures on I-95 or I-91 between the hours of 6 AM and 7 PM. Lane closures will also be restricted during weekends and holiday periods, especially during the summer months. Real-time updates will be available on the project web site,
www.i95newhaven.com
, which is updated daily to alert drivers of detours, lane closures and other construction activities.
Acting DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said that the Q Bridge program includes operational, safety and capacity improvements to 7.2 miles of I-95 between Exit 46 (Sargent Drive) in New Haven and Exit 54 (Cedar Street) in Branford, as well as transit enhancements, including the new Shore Line East commuter rail station at State Street in New Haven.
Constructed in the late 1950s, this stretch of roadway is part of the heavily traveled northeast corridor between New York and Boston. It is situated in a densely developed urban area with a mixture of commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential development. I-95 currently accommodates traffic volumes in excess of 140,000 vehicles per day in this area, more than three times the 40,000 vehicles per day it was designed for.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have worked closely with the South Central Regional Council of Governments (COG) and other federal and local agencies to develop an acceptable strategy to address transit and transportation needs in the corridor.
For more information, visit the project web site (
www.i95newhaven.com
), or call the Program's Public Information Office at 203-752-1996.
Background on job creation
The FHWA and the construction industry estimate that for every $1 billion spent on a project, 27,800 jobs are created, sustained or supported. That includes 9,500 construction-oriented jobs, 4,300 supporting industry jobs and 14,000 "induced" jobs.
Definitions:
Construction-oriented employment : jobs that are created either by construction firms that work directly on the project or by firms that provide direct input (paving materials, steel, concrete, etc.)
Supporting industries' employment : jobs in companies that provide input to the industries that directly provide materials and equipment used in highway construction. For example, a firm that produces guard rails is counted as 'construction oriented' employment but the firm that provides the sheet steel to make the guard rails is considered part of 'supporting industries' employmentInduced employment : includes jobs supported by consumer expenditures resulting from wages to 'construction oriented' and 'supporting industries' employment.
###
For Immediate Release: June 20, 2011
Contact: Judd Everhart
Department of Transportation
Judd.Everhart@ct.gov
860-594-3062 (office)
860-604-8096 (cell)
Department of Transportation
Judd.Everhart@ct.gov
860-594-3062 (office)
860-604-8096 (cell)
Twitter:
@GovMalloyOffice
Facebook:
Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy