Project Description and History


The I-84 corridor between the New York state line and the City of Waterbury was constructed in the 1960's and 1970's as part of the Federal Interstate Highway System.  Regionally, I‑84 is a crucial east-west corridor linking southern New England to New York and eastern Pennsylvania, providing connections with major interstates such as I-90 in Massachusetts, I‑684 in New York, and I‑380 in Pennsylvania. 
Since I-84 bisects Connecticut, it acts as a pivotal transportation route for interstate traffic through the state, and links the communities of Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, Newtown, Southbury, Middlebury, Oxford and Waterbury within the study area.  It provides connections with many major state routes, such as Routes 7, 8, 25, 34 and 6.  I‑84 is a limited access, divided highway which varies from four to eight lanes within the study area.


Due to the increased usage of the I‑84 corridor and deficiencies in the highway and its interchanges, this section of I‑84 currently operates beyond its capacity.  Based on the findings of the I‑84 West of Waterbury Needs and Deficiencies Study, dated November 2001, and the I‑84 Corridor Deficiencies/Needs Study, dated June 2000,the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials, the Council of Governments of Central Naugatuck Valley, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have identified the need to provide transportation system improvements to the I-84 corridor between the New York state line and the City of Waterbury. 

 

I-84 west of waterbury needs and deficiencies study I-84 Deficiencies/Needs Study
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These studies determined that this section of I-84 was operating beyond its capacity.  Throughout the progression of the two deficiency and needs studies, federal, state and local agencies, as well as the public, were able to participate in the development of alternatives for the project.


In a letter dated January 17, 2003, CTDOT requested approval from the FHWA to select a consulting firm to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for improvements to the I-84 corridor from the  New York state line to Interchange 18 in Waterbury.


Approval was granted by the FHWA on January 22, 2003, indicating their concurrence with CTDOT's request to select a consultant to proceed with preparing an EIS.  Close Jensen and Miller, P.C. (CJM) was selected.


A Notice of Intent (NOI) was issued on March 31, 2005, and published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2005.


In February 2009, CTDOT authorized CJM to begin work on the EIS.  Other agencies expected to assist are the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO), the Council of Governments of Central Naugatuck Valley (COGCNV), and town officials of the communities in the study area.  The study will research and document the environmental impacts of alternatives being considered and is projected to last 30 months.

The alternatives that were identified and evaluated in the previous feasibility study, in addition to those suggested by the Cooperating and Participating Agencies, will be documented and considered in the EIS.  These alternatives will be assessed and reviewed by all involved agencies prior to determining which alternatives will be fully evaluated for environmental impacts in the EIS.  The ranges of alternatives that will be considered for this study include the following:

  • No Action
    No improvements made to the I-84 corridor (short-term improvements with independent utility will be pursued as separate projects)

  • Additional Capacity on I-84
    A third mainline will be added in each direction, including interchange modifications

  • Transit Initiatives

  • Transportation Systems Management (TSM)
    Incident Management
    Variable Message Signs

  • Transportation Demand Management (TDM)