Planning has started for a project to relieve traffic congestion on Interstate 84 in Danbury.  The project is included in “Let’s Go CT” – Governor Malloy’s 30-year, $100 billion transportation investment plan.  The Connecticut Department of Transportation has entered the planning process phase to rebuild an eight-mile stretch of I-84 between Exits 3 and 8 in Danbury.  DOT officials say the project is aimed at improving safety, increasing capacity, and improving operations and access to the highway.

DOT Commissioner James Redecker says their focus will be on public engagement and developing a preliminary assessment of alternatives.  Future phases will include environmental documentation, identification of a preferred alternative and preliminary engineering.

Consultants from CDM Smith plan to work with the City of Danbury, local businesses, community groups, and commuter and freight interests among others to ensure that project meets public expectations.  Milone and MacBroom of Cheshire will lead the environmental documentation phase.  The I-84 Danbury Project team will be launching a website and hosting a series of public meetings in the coming months.

Construction is expect to start by 2022 and continue for several years.  The project cost is estimated at $640 million.