Blogs

Approved for Improvements to Connecticut’s Transportation System

New Transportation Bonding Unlocks up to $2.5 Billion in Federal Funds for Connectic Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut State Bond Commission today voted to approve more than $1.1 billion in state funding that will be used to perform various and widespread improvements to Connecticut’s transportation system.

Governor Lamont serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission and determines which projects get placed on its agenda for approval. The governor said he prioritized transportation projects at today’s meeting to leverage all federal matching dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The $1.1 billion in state bond funding we are releasing today positions our state to create the transportation network of the future, which will connect people to jobs, employment, and all our state has to offer,” Governor Lamont said. “This funding will help bring upgrades to a wide variety of improvements across our transportation network, including roads, bridges, and public transit. Notably, it will support our ongoing goal of putting the infrastructure in place that will help reduce travel times between New Haven and New York. By leveraging all federal dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can bring significant improvements to our state’s transportation system while lessening the burden on Connecticut taxpayers.”

“By advancing these funds, Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission are ensuring Connecticut residents will see a substantial increase in projects that will improve transportation access, grow the economy, increase safety and reliability, and improve quality of life,” Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “This funding is setting the stage for the next ten years of needed projects that will transform our infrastructure with improved roads and bridges and a robust multimodal transportation network that is accessible to everyone.”

The funding includes more than $666 million for public transportation and more than $300 million for roads and bridges. Some of the specific projects approved for funding today include:

• Northeast Corridor (NEC) Match Program: $398.1 million for 13 projects aimed at upgrading outdated passenger rail infrastructure and improving transit efficiency, speed, and capacity. This allocation will provide a match for up to $2.1 billion in matching federal funding.
• Fix-it-First Bridge Repair: $98 million for rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or replacement of bridges on the state highway system, matching $40 million in federal funds. Some examples of projects include:
  • Middletown – replace bridge carrying I-91 over an unnamed brook
  • New Britain/Plainville – rehab/replace five bridges carrying Route 72
• I-91/1-691/Route 15 Interchange in Meriden: $31.7 million for interchange reconstruction and realignment on I-91 Northbound, I-691 Westbound, and Route 15 Northbound to address operational and safety concerns that will improve safety and decrease congestion, matching $223 million in federal funds.
• New Haven Union Station Improvements: $15 million for the design of three enhancement projects to the property, including a new multimodal hub, parking structure, and rental car facility in the West Lot; Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the existing East Lot; and the realignment of Union Avenue near Union Station to enhance traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety.
• Stamford Station Parking Garage Demolition: $9 million for the demolition of the 1985 parking garage at Stamford Transportation Center, the busiest rail station in the state. Demolition of the old garage will allow the state to proceed with solicitation of Transit-Oriented Development projects adjacent to the station, which is the busiest rail station in the state.
• Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP): $12.9 million for grants to provide funding to municipalities through the Councils of Government (COGs) to address regional transportation priorities through capital improvement projects.
• Installation of Advanced Wrong-Way Driving Technology: $12.4 million to support the implementation of wrong-way driver detection systems at 70 high-risk locations statewide. These systems will alert drivers of incorrect direction by flashing red lights and state police will be notified in real time through special alerts.
• Community Connectivity and Alternative Mobility Program: $12 million for an additional round of grant awards to local projects that improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in urban, suburban, and rural community centers, to be announced next month. To date, more than 100 projects have received grant funding totaling more than $38 million.
• Transportation Rural-Improvement Program (TRIP): $10 million for grants to provide funding to rural and small towns for infrastructure improvements. The first round of grants for this new program will be awarded over the next several months.
• State Local Bridge Program Improvements: $7.1 million for grants for local bridge projects across the state, to be matched by $7.1 million in local funds. Examples of projects include:
  • Burlington – Covey Road over Bunnell Brook
  • New Haven – Humphrey Street over Mill River
  • Washington – Rabbit Hill Road over Meeker Swamp Road
  • Windsor – Pleasant Valley Road over Podunk River
• New Haven Downtown Roadway Drainage Project: $5.8 million for the City of New Haven to improve drainage and reduce flooding on Union Avenue. This will provide a partial match for a $25 million federal FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant.
• Transit District Facility Improvements: $5 million to renovate the new headquarters facility for the Northwest Connecticut Transit District in Torrington.
• Groton/North Stonington Safety Improvements: $3 million for safety improvements and pavement rehabilitation from I-95 Exit 89 to the Rhode Island State Line, matching $54 million in federal funds.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont