This document discusses rethinking urban highways by examining alternatives to replacing the aging I-84 viaduct in Hartford, Connecticut. It provides examples of other cities that have removed or replaced urban highways, including San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle. The study process for Hartford's I-84 viaduct considered a range of replacement options and their impacts on urban design, economic development, and transportation. While no preferred alternative was identified, the study established options for ConnDOT to further evaluate and has informed other regional transportation planning efforts.

1. InfrastructureRECONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS IN HARTFORD
RETHINKING URBAN HIGHWAYS &
at a Crossroads:

2. InfrastructureRECONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS IN HARTFORD
RETHINKING URBAN HIGHWAYS &
at a Crossroads:
Amy Kohn, AICP
Senior Planner & Associate
Goody Clancy
amy.kohn@goodyclancy.com
Jennifer Carrier, PE
Director of Transportation Planning
Capitol Region Council of Government
jcarrier@crcog.org
David Spillane, AICP, RIBA
Principal / Director of Planning and Urban Design
Goody Clancy
david.spillane@goodyclancy.com

3. Rethinking Urban Highways…
in New England
• New Haven’s Route 34
• Providence’s I - 195
• Boston’s Big Dig
• Somerville MA’s
McGrath Highway
McGrath Highway Overpass
Photo courtesy of ibbb-walkshop

4. San Francisco: Embarcadero Freeway
Freeway spur with modest traffic volumes becomes attractive
surface boulevard
• Served as a spur
connecting to Bay
Bridge
• Created barrier
between city and
waterfront
• Demolished in 1991
and replaced with an
attractive surface
boulevard
• Freeway carried
approximately 60,000
vehicles per day;
replacement boulevard
carries approximately
26,000 vehicles

5. Big Dig: Boston Central Artery
High-volume freeway serving economic heart of the region
becomes surface boulevard and tunnel
• Like I-84, carries regional through traffic
and downtown traffic
• I-93 viaduct was long seen as a barrier
between downtown, the waterfront and
neighborhoods
• Approximately 190,000 vehicles per day
before project
• Project increased roadway capacity
through tunnel and surface boulevard
• Highway in tunnel; surface boulevard
carries local traffic
• More than 20-year construction period
• Overall project cost $14.6 billion; state
paid approximately $6 billion

6. Seattle: Alaskan Way Viaduct
Highway viaduct replaced by tunnel, opening access to
the waterfront
• Carries primarily through
traffic; does not provide
local access
• Creates physical barrier
between city and
waterfront
• Approximately 100,000
vehicles per day
• Current proposal: replace
with a 4-lane bored
tunnel that can
accommodate 80,000-
85,000 vehicles per day
for approximately $4.2
billion (state and local
funds) and surface streets

7. So what can we
learn from these models?

8. #1 – All solutions are local

9. #2 – Intense local debate!
• [IMAGE]

10. #3 – Broad support from a broad range
of constituencies

11. Rethinking Urban Highways
The Hartford I-84 Viaduct Case Study

12. Hartford :
Prior to 1960

13. Hartford : Prior to 1960

14. Interstate 84 Plan Tears
Apart Urban Fabric

15. Construction 1965

16. Asylum
Sigourney Capitol
Sisson

21. How the Study Got Started
• Citizen group formed in response to 2006
ConnDOT Viaduct Study recommending in-
kind replacement of structure
• City of Hartford asks ConnDOT to engage
in a planning process; ConnDOT agrees to
participate and CRCOG agrees to manage
study
• ConnDOT advances short-term repair
project
• I-84 Viaduct study begins exploration of
long-term options

22. Study Process
• 3-Phase Technical Study
• Public Meetings and
Events/Newsletters
• Coordination with Other
City/Regional/State Initiatives

23. Study Goals and Assumptions
• Consider urban design,
economic development and
transportation issues
associated with replacement of
the I-84 Viaduct in Hartford
• Identify and evaluate a range
of replacement alternatives;
do not identify a preferred
alternative
• Foster public discussion and
awareness of project issues
• Establish a starting point for
future ConnDOT studies

35. Relocated Rail Line
I-84 East and West
FUTURE HIGHWAY SECTION
Existing Rail Line
I-84 East
I-84 West
EXISTING HIGHWAY SECTION

36. Relocated Rail Line
Roadway At-grade
I-84 East
I-84 West and West
I-84 East
FUTURE HIGHWAY SECTION
Existing Rail Line
Viaduct Structure
I-84 East
I-84 West
EXISTING HIGHWAY SECTION

43. Since Study
Completion…
Capitol Region Long Range
Transportation Plan Issued:
Interstate 84 Viaduct
Replacement project
identified as an “Unfunded
Need”
However…

44. Since Study Completion…
• Interstate 84 Value Pricing Pilot Study
Initiated
• Interstate 84 Viaduct Environmental Impact
Statement
• Interstate 84 Management (Civil and
Structural Engineering Support; Alternatives
Development)
• New Haven – Hartford – Springfield (NHHS)
Rail Viaduct In Final Design
• Alternatives Analysis Initiated for NHHS Rail
Viaduct
• Ctfastrak Construction Underway

45. Since Study Completion…
• APA’s Planning Magazine – featured
article on the Viaduct Study
• CNU New England – Viaduct Study
awarded a 2011 Urbansim Award
• City of Hartford – Viaduct Study
honored for innovative analysis of
alternatives and advancement of
One City, One Plan
• The Hartford Preservation Alliance -
Viaduct Study recognized for
neighborhood revitalization aspects

46. InfrastructureRECONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS IN HARTFORD
RETHINKING URBAN HIGHWAYS &
at a Crossroads: