STAMFORD -- Many of the construction workers at J.M. Wright Techical High School didn't see Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and a crew of officials dig gold-colored shovels into the ground and toss a little dirt in the air as part of a ceremonial ground breaking for the $85 million project. They were too busy rebuilding the school that is to open in less than a year.As speeches were made, coffee and bagels munched, the crews worked inside the gutted J.M. Wright Tech, rebuilding it floor by floor. They have been there for months already. When it is finished, the building will have 200,000 square feet and contain state-of-the-art technology aimed at educating students interested in seven trades. The school will rejoin the state technical high school system and provide education to students from Stamford and the southwest corner of Connecticut.
DPW breaks ground at Cos-Cob Power Plant Park
It’s been a long, winding road for the Cos Cob Power Plant Park, but planners may have finally reached the beginning of the end of the nearly 16 year saga. The Greenwich Department of Public Works has broken ground at the “once and future park” after years of lawsuits, regulations, plans, and back up plans, according to a statement released Thursday.The construction comes after the awarding of a $4,315,000 contract to Rhode Island-based contractor RC&D, Inc. this past June. This first phase of development is expected to last through November of next year, and will include extensive landscaping and repaving, a new turf field, and an irrigation system, among other improvements — several buildings laid out in earlier plans, like a playground, restrooms, and other amenities, will be constructed at a later date.Once the first phase of construction is complete, the park will be opened to the public.
Mass. approves building of gas-fired power plant
BOSTON (AP) — The Patrick administration has signed off on construction of a new 692-megawatt gas-fired power plant to be located the site of the existing Salem Harbor Station.
The facility is expected to be one of the most efficient and lowest-emitting large gas-fired power plants in New England, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan said Thursday.The new plant, owned by Footprint Power LLC, is expected to be built and operational by June 2016.The project will include the demolition and removal of the existing power plant, which will be retired by June 2014, and the cleanup of the site for the new plant and other uses.
Let the work begin
MERIDEN — The long-awaited, $111.8 million Platt High School renovation project is expected to get underway next week as construction crews have begun mobilizing at the city’s west side high school.The School Building Committee was updated on early progress at the site during its monthly meeting Thursday night. Fencing is already being installed in anticipation of construction and a groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.“Demolition and abatement work will start this coming week,” Norm Benjamin, a project manager with Arcadis, told the committee.
Meriden companies win Federal Contracts
WASHINGTON — The following federal contracts were awarded to local companies for the week of Oct. 3-9:LaRosa Building Group LLC, of Meriden, won a $5,489,530 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Lester, Pa., for construction and building materials for the Navy Operational Support Center, Syracuse, N.Y.Canberra, of Meriden, won a $1,966,125.78 federal contract from the U.S. Air Force Space Command, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., for a radiation measurement count room system for the Air Force Technical Applications Center radiochemistry laboratory.
Meriden companies win Federal Contracts
WASHINGTON — The following federal contracts were awarded to local companies for the week of Oct. 3-9:LaRosa Building Group LLC, of Meriden, won a $5,489,530 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Lester, Pa., for construction and building materials for the Navy Operational Support Center, Syracuse, N.Y.Canberra, of Meriden, won a $1,966,125.78 federal contract from the U.S. Air Force Space Command, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., for a radiation measurement count room system for the Air Force Technical Applications Center radiochemistry laboratory.
Glastonbury Riverfront Park Boathouse Rises
Work has begun on the frame of the boathouse at the Glastonbury Riverfront Park. Officials are hoping the building can be buttoned up by December.
Manchester moves to tear down blighted buildings
MANCHESTER — Contractors have been removing hazardous materials from vacant buildings on Broad Street in preparation for demolition.Crews started early this month taking out materials containing asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, from the former automotive businesses now owned by the town, Public Works Director Mark Carlino said Thursday. Known as the Nichols properties, the site had been occupied years ago by a muffler shop, the former Tires International and the former J&M Corvettes. The town foreclosed on the properties because the owners had failed to pay taxes and then bought the properties at auction. The hazardous materials removal is expected to be finished in about 1 1/2 weeks, and demolition is to start around the end of the month, Carlino said. Tear-down of the former retail and service buildings and removal of underground heating oil tanks is to be completed by the end of the year, he said. Pavement is to be removed in the spring.
Accident traps workers in basement
FAIRFIELD — Four construction workers were trapped inside a home under construction at 138 South Gate Lane after a construction accident on Thursday morning.
The accident was reported at 9:10 a.m.
Police said four men were bringing a bath tub to the third floor when the stairwell collapsed to the basement.
Using a tripod and rope system with a basket, firefighters pulled the men out within 38 minutes of the initial call, said Assistant Fire Chief Scott Bisson. The men were taken by ambulances to area hospitals with serious injuries, but they are all expected to survive.
HARTFORD — Last year, the state closed the Broad Street Bridge to traffic after the Hartford Marathon as work began on the $567 million New Britain-to-Hartford busway.
Officials promised runners and race organizers it would be open for this year's race. And, despite a bad winter, the state Department of Transportation is keeping its vow.
Officials promised runners and race organizers it would be open for this year's race. And, despite a bad winter, the state Department of Transportation is keeping its vow.