House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

August 15, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. Noujaim, Mayor Jarjura Meet with DOT Officials on I-84 Upgrades, Other Waterbury area Projects

 

I-84 East Upgrades Done; I-84 West Paving to Start after Labor Day

 

Improvements to I-84 eastbound in the Waterbury area have been completed and paving work on the westbound section of the highway is scheduled to get underway after Labor Day, with completion expected by November 1^st, state Representative Selim Noujaim said today.

The announcement came after Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury, and Mayor Michael Jarjura met Thursday with Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie, Deputy DOT Commissioner H. James Boice, and other DOT officials to get updates on the I-84 improvements and other Waterbury area projects.

Work on the eastbound section was delayed because unanticipated heavy rain this summer interfered with the installation of new drainage pipes, Representative Noujaim said.

In addition to widening and repaving sections of I-84 in the Waterbury area, the state Department of Transportation had to correct major problems with drainage system improvements that resulted from shoddy work by one of the project’s contractors, Representative Noujaim said.

“Mayor Jarjura and I, and the rest of the Waterbury delegation, are closely monitoring the I-84 work,” Representative Noujaim said. “When completed, the project will enhance traffic flow and safety in the Greater Waterbury area and help stimulate economic growth and create jobs in the city. Having regular meetings with Commissioner Marie and other DOT officials directly involved with the I-84 work and other area transportation projects is important to us.  We need to know whether the projects are on track or if unforeseen problems have arisen that could delay them so we can pass the information on to citizens and the business community. We want to do whatever we can to help ensure they are completed on time and that our overburdened taxpayers receive the best possible value for the dollars they send to Hartford.”

The second phase of the I-84 project, the widening and repaving of the section of the highway from Austin Road to Hamilton Avenue, is scheduled to get underway in 2010 after final designs are completed and contracts are awarded, Representative Noujaim said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection is currently investigating the relocation of the Mad River. When the review is completed, public hearings will be scheduled to address watercourse issues, Representative Noujaim said.

The Department of Economic and Community Development has completed a feasibility study on the Waterbury Intermodal Transportation Center. A draft environmental study for the project is expected in March of 2009. The final environmental study should be completed by the fall of 2009, Representative Noujaim said.

Funding for the project has been authorized but will not receive final approval by the State Bond Commission until after the final environmental studies are completed, Representative Noujaim said.