The Connecticut State Bond Commission recently approved $839 million worth of upgrades to the state's transportation system.
Gov. Ned Lamont said that these upgrades are long overdue and compliment projects that are expected to be financed through the recently adopted federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
“These transportation priorities are an important down payment on Connecticut’s infrastructure future,” Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said in a statement. “By advancing these state dollars, Gov. Lamont is ensuring we can get more transportation jobs out on the street, we can create more jobs, and most importantly, the State of Connecticut will have an opportunity to secure more federal transportation dollars from Washington as we move forward. The federal infrastructure bill is a game-changer, and the governor is making sure the cards are stacked in Connecticut’s favor.”
Some of the transportation upgrades approved at the meeting include $51.7 million for the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) revolving fund to continue providing support for close to 100 local roadway projects in coordination with Councils of Governments. Projects include Downtown Paving Project in Meriden; West Avenue at Noroton Avenue Intersection Improvements in Darien; Grove Street (Route 12) Sidewalk Project in Putnam; Boce Barlow Bridge Membrane & Main Street Pavement Project in Hartford; and Route 111 Traffic Signal Improvements in Trumbull.
The Commission also approved $13 million for grants providing 50% of the cost for 24 local bridge projects across the state through the State Local Bridge Program. Bridge projects in Canton, Danbury, Durham, Madison, Norfolk, and Winchester are set for upgrades through this program.
Funding also includes $12 million through the Community Connectivity and Alternative Mobility Program for an additional round of grant awards to local projects that improve roadway safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists. Prior to this allocation, the department has awarded $30 million to 90 municipalities under this program.
Additionally, nearly $4 million is included to fund a planning and environmental study of I-95 between exits 19 and 27A in Fairfield and Bridgeport. This study will identify safety improvements along this section of I-95, particularly in the northbound direction.
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SOURCE: Office of Gov. Ned Lamont
