[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

The embarrassment is the comment below.... I-84 should have been a minimum of 3 lanes from Brewster to Hartford shortly after I-86 was completed. That road had traffic problems when I lived in Danbury back in 1981/1982. The construction should have all been in the late-1980s or early 1990s.

I-91 from Hartford to Springfield was also two lanes in each direction until the early 1990's. Maybe that's partly why i-84 is still two lanes since the state couldn't take on two major projects at the same time or they didn't have enough money.

[Henry10]

Originally Posted by JayCT

So you are advocating a massive increase in the gas tax PLUS implementation of tolls to pay for these projects that "think big"? Remember Connecticut has limited funds to pay for these projects. And there are limited Federal funds available to the state so these types of massive projects are not easy to implement. Like the Big Dig in Boston, a special Congressional allocation of money is necessary and getting that is not easy, if possible at all. Why should Congress provide billions of extra dollars to a small state where the need for such an elaborate project is questionable at best.

And act7ually Congressman John Larson has proposed a massive project to bury I-84 and I-91 in Hartford. Of course there is no money to pay for such a project but still it is out there just waiting for someone like you to advocate it and figure out a way to pay for it. Jay

Two pages ago I showed that there is a 3rd way to pay for this. No tolling of existing roadways, no hike to the gas tax.

How do others pay for it? C’mon, this is not rocket science. We won’t get anywhere with the same mindset that brought us this pickle.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by East of the River

Well 84 in the Waterbury area has basically been under some form of construction for over 20 years most of it with severe time and budget overruns.

Because of the cost and scale of the project, the reconstruction and widening of I-84 in eastern Waterbury and Cheshire was broken down in sections. The first section, which was in downtown east of the Route 8 stack was completed several decades ago was the most important since the highway was too narrow, had a lot of traffic and had a high accident rate. The second section in eastern Waterbury and Cheshire, was completed a number of years back and was the easiest and least expensive because it did not impact a lot of private properties or wetlands. The current project completes the widening. The reason this has taken so long is of course funding.

The state needs to prioritize these projects with the limited money they have and quite frankly these sections were not important enough to warrant money sooner. I-95 in Bridgeport, Norwalk and the New Haven areas were deemed more important and required a lot of the state's resources. Add in projects like the Sikorsky Bridge replacement and Route 7 extension, among others and you can see why it has taken so long. Jay

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Henry10

Two pages ago I showed that there is a 3rd way to pay for this. No tolling of existing roadways, no hike to the gas tax.

How do others pay for it? C’mon, this is not rocket science. We won’t get anywhere with the same mindset that brought us this pickle.

Just hired Japanese to widen highway they will get it done under 10 years

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Because of the cost and scale of the project, the reconstruction and widening of I-84 in eastern Waterbury and Cheshire was broken down in sections. The first section, which was in downtown east of the Route 8 stack was completed several decades ago was the most important since the highway was too narrow, had a lot of traffic and had a high accident rate. The second section in eastern Waterbury and Cheshire, was completed a number of years back and was the easiest and least expensive because it did not impact a lot of private properties or wetlands. The current project completes the widening. The reason this has taken so long is of course funding.

The state needs to prioritize these projects with the limited money they have and quite frankly these sections were not important enough to warrant money sooner. I-95 in Bridgeport, Norwalk and the New Haven areas were deemed more important and required a lot of the state's resources. Add in projects like the Sikorsky Bridge replacement and Route 7 extension, among others and you can see why it has taken so long. Jay

Though if they raise the gas tax by 31 cents. Then add $1 toll M-F to the: Igor I. Skiorsky Bridge; Bulkeley Bridge; Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge; Gold Star Memorial Bridge; Commodore Issac Hull Memorial Bridge; Arrigoni Bridge. The State would have a decent amount of cash to complete transportation projects and improve infrastructure.

[BPt111]

Sen. Murphy: State economy is hurting from slow commute times to NY, Boston

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticu...ton/1408189921

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Sen. Murphy: State economy is hurting from slow commute times to NY, Boston

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticu...ton/1408189921

I doubt there are many CT residents commuting to Boston every day and the few who do probably drive.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

I doubt there are many CT residents commuting to Boston every day and the few who do probably drive.

The article focuses on train commuters.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Sen. Murphy: State economy is hurting from slow commute times to NY, Boston

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticu...ton/1408189921

Originally Posted by MrGompers

I doubt there are many CT residents commuting to Boston every day and the few who do probably drive.

Originally Posted by robr2

The article focuses on train commuters.

Exactly. I do not know why this article even mentions Boston, poor quality journalism I guess. I highly doubt it is even feasible to commute from anywhere in Connecticut to the Boston suburbs, much less Boston proper.

[Stepfordct]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Sen. Murphy: State economy is hurting from slow commute times to NY, Boston

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticu...ton/1408189921

Sen Murphy lives in DC with his family. There should be term limits. After a bit they become too removed in more ways than one.