Early Action Projects will generally focus on local road and intersection improvements with the intended goal of improving the function of the overall local road network without intensive construction or construction impacts. By improving the functioning of the local road network, Early Action Projects are also intended to improve the flow of traffic in the area. As Early Action Projects are smaller in scope, they may occur relatively soon, as early as the mid-2020s.

Near-term Projects will generally occur on the outer portions of the interchange and could include improvements to entrances, exits, and lane configurations that improve the function of the existing interchange approaches but are also aligned with the goals of the future improvements to the core of the interchange. Near-term Projects will also facilitate traffic handling during the eventual core interchange reconstruction. Some, but not all, Near-term Projects will require more extensive construction and may result in impacts to drivers. Near-term Projects may begin construction in the early 2030s, before the core of the interchange is reconstructed.

Long-term Projects include significant construction work that will be required to reconstruct the core of the interchange. Long-term Projects could include replacement or reconstruction of decks, the stacked bridges, and other elements of the interchange and connections between Interstate 84 and Route 8. Construction of Long-term Projects is anticipated to begin in the vicinity of the mid-2030s to the early 2040s. 

The New Mix program will modernize the I-84/Route 8 interchange to meet current safety, structural, and operational standards, improve safety and functionality of the interchange, reduce the amount of time commuters spend stuck in traffic, complement the economic development goals of the City of Waterbury, and serve Connecticut’s transportation needs for decades to come.