I-84 This Week: Mowing Crews, Then a Waterbury Ramp Closure

Drivers heading east on I-84 this week will meet two separate work zones. A forestry mowing operation began Monday on I-84 from Exit 35 in Plainville to Exit 25A in Waterbury, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Mowing crews work along the roadside, so expect equipment near the shoulder and occasional slowdowns through that stretch.

The bigger disruption lands Wednesday. The Exit 21 on-ramp to I-84 eastbound in Waterbury closes Wednesday, November 4, through Thursday, November 5. At the same time, the left lane of I-84 westbound closes between the Union Street on-ramp and the Exit 19 off-ramp. Drivers who normally join I-84 eastbound at Exit 21 will need another on-ramp for those two days, and westbound drivers should expect the left lane to be unavailable through the Union Street to Exit 19 stretch.

The mowing operation is the quieter of the two jobs, but it covers a long stretch — from Exit 35 in Plainville all the way to Exit 25A in Waterbury — so drivers may meet equipment anywhere along that section, not just near one interchange. Give mowing crews room, watch for slow-moving vehicles entering and leaving the shoulder, and expect brief slowdowns rather than a full closure.

Wednesday and Thursday are the days to plan around. Anyone who drives to Waterbury for work, appointments, or errands should allow extra time on those two days, and anyone who normally uses the Exit 21 eastbound on-ramp should pick an alternate on-ramp before leaving rather than discovering the closure at the ramp. For real-time closures and lane changes, CTDOT points drivers to CTroads.org.