State transportation officials say they prefer to fully reconstruct the Mixmaster on different road alignments and connections between the Interstate 84-Route 8 interchange than replace the stacked decks with new ones. Officials reiterated the project dubbed the “New Mix” is looking at the long-term future of the interchange and surrounding areas unlike the ongoing Mixmaster rehabilitation project, which will extend the interchange’s serviceable life another 20 to 25 years. Improving the interchange’s safety and functionality, reducing traffic and complementing Waterbury’s economic development goals while meeting Connecticut’s long-term transportation needs are the priorities driving the New Mix project. Under that proposal, the Route 8 alignment would run through an area on Freight Street that city officials are looking to redevelop.
