Posted on October 27, 2021
I want to update you on several state transportation projects in Newtown that are at various stages of completion.
1) Reconfiguration of I-84, Exit 11 ramp access and significant improvements to reduce congestion and enhance safety in the area of Wasserman Way, Berkshire Road, including direct access to I-84 from northbound CT Route 34 and the area fed by Toddy Hill Road. Improvements will also greatly improve traffic flow and safety in the area around Newtown High School. The work will start the week of October 18, 2021 and is expected to conclude on or before March 02, 2024.
Commencing Monday, October 18, 2021, alternating one-way traffic can be expected for a short time at the start of roadway construction. Whenever possible two-way traffic will be maintained. The road work has been directed to not interfere with traffic Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
This project will create a noticeable, positive impact on the entire Exit 11 area. From improved sight-lines to dedicated turn-lanes, greater safety and far less congestion, once complete, up to 60% of peak traffic flowing north from points south on Route 34, as far as New Haven, will no longer enter the Wasserman Way, Route 34 and existing Exit 11 confluence.
2) Rochambeau Bridge span replacement on or ahead of schedule. I toured the site on Thursday, October 14, 2021 and was happy to hear from the project engineer that this large project is on or a little ahead of schedule. We expect the new westbound span to be open to traffic on or before December, 2021 and, in preparation for the removal and replacement of the eastbound span, to see a new, safer, more user-friendly crossover to be complete and in-service by Spring, 2022. The entire project is expected to be complete by December 2023.
This week’s visit also allowed me to continue and push to advance ongoing conversations about the three-laning of I-84 from Danbury to Waterbury; sound barriers; and needs of local residents for suppression of “engine-braking” noise from rumbling heavy-trucks, just a few feet from their homes. We have a supportive DOT Commissioner who is a good listener and understands our issues here.
3) At long-last, completion of nearly four years of foundation repairs in the area of I-84 east and westbound in the area around Exit 9. Incontrovertible evidence that the DOT’s contractor is finally gone is the removal of the construction equipment and trailers from the Exit 11 median. I asked DOT for restoration and mowing at that site and, they committed to mowing but told me that site will now be used as a staging area for the Exit 11 reconfiguration project so, complete restoration will wait for now.
4) Paving and striping of I-84 east and westbound and the ramps between Exits 10 and 8 is finally wrapping-up by end of October. This entire process became dependent on completion of the aforementioned highway foundation repairs so, it seemed to go on forever. Once the last drop of paint is sprayed, I hope, as I’m sure do you, that the unpredictable and frequent bottlenecks are relieved in the often-cursed I-84, western Newtown corridor.