As widening gets underway on Interstate 84 in Waterbury, transportation crews are closing off exit 24 for Harpers Ferry Road.
The exit will close at 11 p.m. Wednesday. The closure is a key part of the widening of I-84 in both directions between Waterbury and Cheshire which broke ground earlier this month.
"As with anything especially construction projects and change, I haven’t heard any positive feedback from closing exit 24," said Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary.
Even though the Democrat and former police chief has heard mainly from critics, he said many people are looking forward to the redesigned highway once the construction is complete in five years.
"It’s going to inconvenience people who are used to getting off at exit 24 in that section of our city. At the end of the day it’s just another inconvenience that’s just another part of the construction project, but the overall picture paints such a good one for the city, it’s worth the inconvenience," he said.
Jean Henry, who commutes each day from Watertown, described her drive as a disaster that should take 20 minutes but inevitably takes 40. She said she hopes businesses aren't adversely affected by the new congestion that will come with road construction.
"I think ultimately it will help them, but in the short run, you may see people try to avoid the area because of it. Hopefully that won’t be the case and it will be planned out well," she said.
Tony's Auto Sales is one business along I-84 that has seen positives changes from the construction. Business manager Eddie Zalali said the amount of traffic in front of the store has picked up as construction crews have arrived.
"It actually means a lot more exposure for us. We used to see more traffic in the PM, but now it’s constant all day," he explained.
Zalali said the construction of a retaining wall along the highway has prompted him and the owner to consider new signage that would face I-84.
"It’s not pretty and you’ve got the machines on the other end of the lot there but I guess we just got to go with it I guess, for the next five years," he said.
