State of Connecticut continues pouring money into low-carbon future, infrastructure

Lamont outlines $12 million in grants to improve transportation; CCGP, Bridge fund allocations

Connecticut’s state programs keep infusing cash into transportation. The Community Connectivity Grant Program (CCGP) was developed to fund targeted infrastructure improvements that are commonly identified through what are called Road Safety Audits (RSAs), or other planning initiatives. Every town in CT has an RSA report.

The grant program provides funding directly to municipalities toward smaller scale infrastructure improvements that are aligned with the overall program goal. Greenwich received nearly the limit of $800,000 for the current round of CCGP funding. Most towns received over $600,000, with the exceptions of Cromwell and New Canaan.

A slated 18 bridge projects will receive $15 million

The State Local Bridge Program is CT’s cost-matching grant program that provides 50% of project costs for locally-owned bridges. Towns and cities administer all design and construction aspects of their projects, while CTDOT oversees project milestones and provides guidance for the municipalities.

“Through the State Local Bridge Program, we are helping ensure locally-owned bridges remain in a state of good repair. Many of the projects are only moving forward as a result of the 50% grant provided by the state,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “This grant program continues to grow in popularity as it has proven to deliver results for communities large and small across the state.”

The grants approved in this round for current projects include:

• Berlin: Replace Bridge #007020, Spruce Brook Road over Spruce Brook ($1,569,480)
• Bridgeport: Replace Bridge #015028, Woodrow Avenue over Island Brook ($1,725,088)
• Bristol: Replace Bridge #017011, Andrews Street over an unnamed stream ($474,875)
• Bristol: Replace Bridge #017041, Field Street over an unnamed stream ($686,832)
• Burlington: Replace Bridge #020002, Alpine Drive over an unnamed stream ($515,850)
• Columbia: Replace Bridge #030008, Pine Street over Giffords Brook ($814,039.50)
• Coventry: Replace Bridge #032014, Parker Bridge Road over an unnamed brook ($714,450)
• Granby: Replace Bridge #055006, Doherty Road over East Branch of Salmon Brook ($1,160,000)
• Lyme: Replace Bridge #074002, Beaver Brook Road over an unnamed brook ($770,275)
• Newtown: Replace Bridge #096025, Brushy Hill Road over an unnamed brook ($830,875)
• Newtown: Replace Bridge #096002, Farrell Road over an unnamed brook ($761,000)
• Scotland: Replace Bridge #123003, Kemp Road over Kimball Pond Brook ($878,500)
• Sharon: Replace Bridge #125012, West Cornwall Road over Swamp Brook ($724,500)
• Southbury: Replace Bridge #130011, Spruce Brook Road over Spruce Brook ($671,000)
• Stamford: Replace Bridge #135008, Mill Road over an unnamed brook ($978,750)
• Stamford: Replace Bridge #135007, Old Long Ridge Road over an unnamed brook ($507,500)
• Thompson: Replace Bridge #03950, Buckley Hill Road over French River Canal ($1,450,000)
• Washington: Replace Bridge #150012, Walker Brook Road #2 over Walker Brook ($641,000)

Since 2016, the State Local Bridge Program has provided more than $129 million in grants to Connecticut’s towns and cities.

The Connecticut General Assembly created the Local Bridge Program in 1984 as part of the State’s Infrastructure Renewal Program.