February 28, 2014

CT Construction Digest February 28, 2014

Chester awarded $450K in state capital improvement funds

CHESTER >> The town is among six municipalities statewide to receive a grant for capital improvement projects, part of more than $2.4 million awarded during the first round of 2014 Small Town Economic Assistance Program. The town will use the $450,000 grant toward a larger Chester Center Village revitalization project which includes a bridge replacement in 2016. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced today the grants, administered by the Office of Policy and Management, will also go to Avon, Farmington, Milford, New Milford and Sprague. STEAP monies provides funding for local capital improvement projects that support economic development, encourage community conservation and improve the quality of life for residents, according to a press release. “Over the last three years, we have worked with our partners in towns across the state to identify and invest in important capital projects that are growing jobs and local economies, strengthening local infrastructure and encouraging business growth,” Malloy said. “STEAP has allowed us to get money directly to municipalities to complete projects that are benefiting residents now and helping small towns maintain the unique qualities that are a large part of what makes Connecticut such a great place to live, work and visit.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING

A bridge to nowhere in Old Mystic

Mystic - The historic flood of March 2010 forced the closure of a small bridge on North Stonington Road in Old Mystic, cutting off one of the access roads to the Old Mystic Fire Department. Four years later, the 80-year-old span remains closed despite repeated warnings by Fire Chief Ken Richards, who said the detour his trucks have to use poses a safety hazard to them and to other motorists. He said he has repeatedly asked Groton and Stonington officials to fix the bridge; since the closure, he said, his trucks have been involved in 10 near-accidents at the intersection of Route 27 and Main Street next to the Old Mystic General Store. "To me, it looks like they are dragging their feet hoping everyone will forget about it," he said this week. "I still don't have a date when it is going to get fixed." But Groton Town Manager Mark Oefinger said Thursday that efforts have continued since 2010 to find a way to fix the bridge, which is located in both Groton and Stonington. He said several issues have contributed to the four-year delay in fixing the span. When the contractor for the project began work on the repairs in 2011, it discovered the design was flawed. A new deck was likely needed because the concrete had deteriorated, revealing the stream below. That work had not been part of the design. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING

Malloy: Sprague awarded $500K grant for PautipaugHill Rd reconstruction

HARTFORD – Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday the first round of 2014 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants, a total of more than $2.4 million, will be awarded to Avon, Chester, Farmington, Milford, New Milford and Sprague, according to a news release from the state. Sprague was awarded $500,000 for reconstruction and improvement of drainage on Pautipaug Hill Road, which is phase one of a two phase project.Pautipaug Hill Road has the largest concentration of residents than any other road in Sprague and is the access road to the recently reopened Pautipaug Hill Country Club.The project will address the deterioration of the road – exacerbated by the flood in March 2010 - along with insufficient drainage capacity. Construction on phase one of the project would conclude in the summer of 2014."This is a well needed infrastructure improvement that with a town match will allow us to provide drainage and road base improvements on a major road in the town of Sprague," said State Senator Cathy Osten. "The Town is thrilled to partner with the State on infrastructure that will provide benefit to residents and commercial interests." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING

AGC: Obama's Transportation Proposal Should Further Transit Bill Debate

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to President Obama's transportation announcement:
"It is encouraging to see President Obama pushing for a long-term bill to fund desperately needed highway and transit investments. We look forward to reviewing details about the measure, which recognizes the federal transportation funding shortfalls that threaten to curtail investments in highway and transit projects as early as this summer. The president clearly understands that any new transportation bill must include new sources of revenue to meet the needs of our aging transportation system. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING

ARTBA to CONEXPO Attendees: Tell Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund

With federal highway and bridge funding to the states in jeopardy later this year, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is using the March 4-8 CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show in Las Vegas—one of the largest gatherings of U.S. transportation design and construction professionals in the world—to tell members of Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). On average, 52 percent of the funding for state and local road and bridge work—the largest market sector—comes from the federal program that is supported by the HTF. Without action by Congress and the President before October 1, that funding will be gone for new projects in FY 2015.
In a short "call-to-action" video sent to 125,000 CONEXPO attendees, ARTBA President Pete Ruane urged industry professionals to deliver this simple message to their elected leaders: "Congressman...Senator...you represent me and my family in Congress. And my job depends on Congress fixing the Highway Trust Fund before October 1. Please do your job and make sure that happens." Along with the video, ARTBA will be delivering its message at the show via tens of thousands of flyers, onsite promotional banners, and earned media. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING