BL Companies has received a 2025 Project Team Award from the Connecticut Building Congress (CBC) for its role in the Safety and Operational Improvements on I-84 in West Hartford. The award recognizes exceptional collaboration among project partners and highlights best practices in teamwork, coordination and technical excellence across the AEC industry.
The I-84 project delivered critical infrastructure upgrades to a heavily traveled and historically congested stretch of highway. Improvements included the addition of auxiliary lanes, the replacement or rehabilitation of nine bridges, new noise barrier walls, upgraded drainage systems and LED lighting, all designed to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance the reliability of one of Connecticut’s most vital transportation corridors.
“BL Companies is proud to be recognized by the CBC for a project that so clearly demonstrates the value of true teamwork,” said Derek Kohl, vice president of operations. “From conceptual design to construction completion, we worked hand-in-hand with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, O&G Industries and our engineering partners to address complex design challenges, maintain budget and schedule, and deliver a safer and more efficient highway for the public along one of the most critical corridors in Connecticut and the Northeast.”
Among the project’s innovations was the use of Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques with Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) abutments. This approach made it possible to completely replace two bridges more quickly and with fewer traffic delays than traditional construction methods. Other key improvements included fixing steep or uneven road slopes, carefully managing traffic during construction, and adding new technology to help monitor and respond to incidents on the highway.
Throughout the design and construction process, the BL Companies team prioritized responsiveness, safety and technical rigor. The team’s close coordination with CTDOT and the contractor helped the project navigate pandemic-era constraints and ongoing supply chain pressures, keeping the schedule on track and limiting change orders. The CBC Project Team Awards celebrate exemplary collaboration and teamwork in the building industry. As the CBC noted in its announcement, “It’s through mutual respect and teamwork that these teams and projects stand out from the rest.” Partners recognized alongside BL Companies for this project include O&G Industries, Inc., Nobis Group, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Garg Consulting Services, WSP, and Urban Engineers.