Instead of a wall along the Mexican border, Rep. John Larson pitched another massive infrastructure project to President Donald Trump Tuesday: A tunnel system to carry I-84 and I-91 underground through Hartford.
Larson was among the members of the House Ways and Means Committee who met with Trump to discuss tax reform. But during the meeting, Larson said he raised the tunnel prospect, a proposal he’s been pushing since last fall.
“I spoke with the president about a robust infrastructure package citing the conditions of the Hartford and East Hartford levees and the need to replace the I-84/I-91 interchange in Hartford with a tunnel system, which would ease congestion and be a boon for commerce along the Hartford riverfront,” Larson said in a written statement after the meeting. “The president agreed there would be a robust infrastructure package as he has long said that the nation’s infrastructure is a priority for his office.”
Under Larson’s plan, motorists on I-84 would travel in a tunnel from East Hartford to near Flatbush Avenue in Hartford. And I-91 would be buried as it travels along the Hartford riverfront, opening up that area for investment. The project has an estimated $10 billion price tag.
Earlier in September, Larson brought the top Republican and Democrat on the House Transportation Committee to endorse his tunnel proposal as part of a broader infrastructure package.
Larson has proposed a new carbon tax to finance a $1 trillion infrastructure bill.