Good News for Bethel Commuters: 'Let's Go CT!' Infrastructure Projects Underway

The first $24.9 million dollars has been approved for “Let’s Go CT!” infrastructure improvement projects across Connecticut, according to a press release from Gov. Dannel Malloy.

For Bethel commuters, the commute will be easier with less congestion with the widening of I-84 project in Danbury taking place between exits 3 and 8 which will ease rush-hour traffic.

Malloy announced today that the State Bond Commission voted to fund his “Let’s Go CT!” initiative, which will transform Connecticut’s infrastructure, modernize the system statewide, attract new businesses and grow jobs.

Governor Malloy unveiled the plan  earlier this year. Funding was approved under the state budget.

“Over the next five years, Connecticut will invest billions in transportation, so we can revitalize our aging system. This first round of funding is one piece in a long-term vision to transform our infrastructure - a vision for transportation on a scale Connecticut has never seen,” Governor Malloy said.

“Over time, we all will begin to see the transformation and improvement of our infrastructure - including roads, bridges, and public transit - and that begins here with these allocations today. If we want to improve our state’s economy, if we want to grow jobs and support business, then we must make these crucial investments in our infrastructure. Connecticut’s future depends on it, and that’s why we’re leading on this important issue.”

Today’s round of allocations includes:

Roadways

• $10 million toward the design and engineering for the widening of I-84 in Danbury between exits 3 and 8. This will widen the highway in both directions and will ease rush-hour traffic along that heavily congested section of the highway.
• $1 million to begin design and engineering work to improve the interchange around the area of I-91, I-691 and Route 15 in the Meriden and Middletown area. This is an area that routinely bottlenecks, frequently resulting in traffic jams.
• $1 million toward the design and engineering of the eventual replacement of the Mixmaster on the I-84 and Route 8 interchange in Waterbury.

Public Transit

• $500,000 to begin a study on expanding bus service to parts of the state not currently serviced by public transit.
• $500,000 to take the first steps necessary for expanding CT fastrak east of Hartford into Manchester.
• $400,000 to review how the state can implement a bus rapid transit corridor for Route 1 between Norwalk and Stamford.
• $4 million for the design, engineering, and construction of a new dock yard on the Danbury Branch Rail Line in Norwalk that will allow the state to increase capacity and service on the Danbury Line.
• $7 million to install real-time location devices on all public transit buses statewide, which will utilize GPS and give riders the ability to locate any public transit bus in the state utilizing an app on mobile devices. This is already successfully in use on CTfastrak, and this allocation will expand that capability throughout the entire system.
• $500,000 to begin a study of centralized para transit service coordination statewide.