[theguyfrompluto]

Connecticut Approves Borrowing to Widen Three Miles of I-84 | Mobilizing the Region

[Wilton2ParkAve]

$500 million. Holy pork barrel. I'd even argue fraud. See the attached paper which references up to $7mm per mile in 2006 costs (so multiply by 20% for inflation). Un****ingbelievable.

[Sigequinox]

Borrowing money you don't have to buy things you don't need when budgets are not balanced to begin with is the liberal status quo. The article didn't say who we are borrowing it from. I assume the federal government, who in-turn are borrowing the money from China ( I believe at 46 cents on the dollar at this point, yikes).

Road infrastructure is important, but at 102% of the annual federal fund allocation for the entire state for a 3 miles stretch of road seems to be unjust. Apparently I should have got my degree in finance and worked for the government. All i would need to do is sit around with an "approved" stamp and slap it on anything that comes across my desk and live like a boss.

[Mr_250]

It's a large project with many bridges, retaining walls and off-peak hours. It's coming out to bid in 2014 (June) but won't start construction until Spring 2015 or even later based on questions and pre-construction redesigns. My guess shovels won't hit the ground until 2016.

Remember the $500M price tag is the engineers estimate. It includes construction plus a whole bunch of behind the scenes stuff. Construction cost will be in the $300M to $350M range.

[formermainer13]

It may be alot of money, but I'm just pleasantly surprised that CT is spending money on improving the state's horrible roads - and not on garbage like a busway or handouts.

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by formermainer13

It may be alot of money, but I'm just pleasantly surprised that CT is spending money on improving the state's horrible roads - and not on garbage like a busway or handouts.

True.

[smackfu]

Here's the latest project update, with a better description:
http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/docume..._Waterbury.pdf

Proposed structure work includes the construction of nine (9) highway bridges, one (1) pedestrian
bridge, twenty (20) retaining walls and six (6) box culverts.

Also, this is part of the project:

The proposed reconstruction includes realigning approximately one mile of I-84 in the vicinity of
Harpers Ferry Road to eliminate the sharp reverse-curve alignment.

Realignment is very expensive. It's basically moving the highway.

This shows how far they are moving. Grey is old, yellow is new.

[jdhall1]

How can 3 miles cost $500,000,000. The 3.5 mile extension of Route 7 to Southern New Milford only cost $120 million.

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by jdhall1

How can 3 miles cost $500,000,000. The 3.5 mile extension of Route 7 to Southern New Milford only cost $120 million.

An extension is a lot different than moving the entire highway.

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by smackfu

Here's the latest project update, with a better description:
http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/docume..._Waterbury.pdf



Also, this is part of the project:



Realignment is very expensive. It's basically moving the highway.

This shows how far they are moving. Grey is old, yellow is new.

That explains how the first mile will cost 167 million. what about the other 2? Any eminent domain issues with the realignment?