HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut is investing $9 million in transportation infrastructure and safety upgrades for 10 rural communities, Gov. Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced Tuesday.
The money will be awarded through state grants as part of the new Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP), the governor's office said. The state bond-funded program was designed to assist rural areas that are often ineligible for federal transportation programs.
In 2023, towns with 50% of the population in rural areas were eligible to apply in coordination with their local government. Design costs will be covered by local municipalities, while CTDOT will cover 100% of construction costs, the governor's office said.
According to the governor's office, the towns that will benefit from these grants, along with their designated projects, include:
- Cornwall: Sidewalk construction on the West Cornwall Bridge ($868,000)
- Coventry: Pedestrian safety improvements ($498,000)
- Haddam: Haddam Center sidewalks ($782,916)
- Hampton: Airline Trail resurfacing ($822,250)
- Hebron: Jones Street improvements ($985,200)
- Preston: Mathewson Mill Road rehabilitation ($1,007,874)
- Salisbury: Main Street sidewalk construction ($1,145,525)
- Sharon: Sidewalk rehab Route 41 and 361 ($1,100,000)
- Stafford: Levinthal Run multi-use path construction project ($883,844)
- Voluntown: Voluntown Village sidewalk extension ($950,511)
Lamont said the state is currently making "some of the largest investments in transportation infrastructure in our lifetime," and that the goal is to make sure "Connecticut's rural communities are also supported."
“Small towns across Connecticut support families and play a vital role in growing the agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. We’re providing state grants to help ensure these smaller communities remain safe and connected for future generations," Lamont said.
Eucalitto said the CTDOT has worked with local leaders to "review submissions and select projects that will improve safety and mobility."
"These investments will go a long way toward improving safety and building a stronger transportation network throughout rural Connecticut," Eucalitto said.
More information on the program and additional TRIP grant opportunities can be found on the state website here.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
