Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday a five-year, $200 million construction renovation to the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford designed to alleviate congestion on I-91 North on the south side of the city.
The new state budget going into effect on July 1 provides funding for the project meant to make it easier and quicker for motorists to merger onto I-84 East from I-91 North. That interchange frequently causes backups on I-91 North that can extend up to 1.4 miles because of long lines of drivers waiting to get into the right lane to exit onto I-84 East.
The renovation will widen I-91 North between exits 27 and 29, including modifying four bridges; replace the I-91 North ramp at Exit 29; realign Route 15 North; and widen the southern approach to the Charter Oak Bridge.
Construction is expected to begin in 2018 and be complete in 2023, creating 1,100 jobs.
The $200 million will be funded by 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds.
