HARTFORD -- Talks about how to replace the I-84 viaduct in Hartford have been going on for years.
On Tuesday, Department of Transportation engineers said they have ruled out replacing the elevated portion of the highway with a tunnel or new viaduct.
According to the Hartford Courant, at a cost of about $10 billion to $12 billion, engineers say a tunnel option is too expensive, and that a new viaduct won’t solve the problem of connecting the city.
Instead, the department recommends building a slightly below-grade highway at a projected cost of $4.3 billion to $5.3 billion. Right now, it’s still unclear how the state will cover the cost of the project.
The DOT is asking federal officials to endorse the plan this summer, with the hope that construction can begin in 2022.
