House
Republican Press Release
October 2,
2006
Press
Office: 860-240-8700
HARTFORD- State Representative Selim Noujaim
(R-Waterbury) today expressed shock and disgust over revelations that poor
reconstruction work on Interstate 84 by Waterbury will further delay an already
overdue project, and continue to interfere with the commute of motorists in the
Waterbury area.
Federal authorities are currently investigating the numerous
problems with the project such as faulty drainage, cracked piping and other
inadequate work. The deficiencies were not properly inspected by the private
engineers hired to do so.
Representative Noujaim contacted
the office of state attorney general Richard Blumenthal requesting legal
action. The Attorney General issued a statement today indicating that there is
an ongoing investigation into the issue in cooperation with the Department of
Transportation.
"With the news that portions
of interstate 84 between Waterbury and Cheshire would be dug up again
to repair drainage problems on the newly widened highway, Waterbury once
again absorbs the brunt of a state project being badly managed and inexcusably
delayed,” said Noujaim. “I am truly distressed by the lack of responsibility on
the part of the workers, engineers, and inspectors. Waterbury residents have
suffered the agonies of traffic congestion and delays on interstate 84 for too
long with no end in the foreseeable future. The guilty party must be
identified, held accountable, and face legal action.”
The cost of making repairs to the
$52 million project is not yet known.
