Governor Malloy will be holding a press conference on Monday
regarding the Transportation Lockbox. Details are below.
Governor Malloy
and Commissioner Redeker Press ConferenceMonday, February 1 2016
1:40pm
NHHS Meriden station; 60 State Street, Meriden.
CT Transportation Chief: Need Lockbox To Protect Investment
As we embark on implementing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's "Let's Go CT!" vision for Connecticut's transportation future, nothing is more essential than a promise to taxpayers — a promise that money dedicated to transportation be used only for that purpose. Based on my experience over the last year discussing our 30-year, $100 billion plan across the state, I know residents, businesses and users of our system want and deserve a best-in-class transportation network.
But they need a promise — a promise that the investment won't be diverted, as it has been so many times in the past. Our challenges are extraordinary, so much so that they are undeniably an impediment to our state's economic growth. Our infrastructure is overly congested, continuously deteriorating and incapable of supporting current demand. In fact, a national transportation research group estimates that deficient and severely congested roads and bridges are costing Connecticut's drivers $5.1 billion — that's billion with a "b" — annually. And it all has a significant impact on the state's economy. The cost of doing nothing pales in comparison to the costs of these necessary repairs and upgrades and improvements.
In short, action costs less than inaction in the long-term.
Take, for instance, several of our key projects, like those aimed at reducing congestion on I-95 and I-84. We have analyzed them for their potential economic impact in Connecticut. Collectively, the projects can generate an additional business sales output to the state of $45.2 billion and short-term construction job impacts of $45.6 billion. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
The funds will be used toward construction of the next phase of Charter Oak Communities’ Vidal Court public housing complex replacement project. For several years, the agency has been replacing those lost units with developments that incorporate both below-market and market-rate units.
“We’re very happy about all of this,” Vin Tufo, executive director of Charter Oak said, adding that the agency now hopes to break ground on the development in the spring.
The Park 215 project would have a total of 78 apartments, with 47 of those being affordable units. The others will be market-rate units. The building will also have 22,000 square feet of medical office space.
Earlier this month, the Zoning Board gave Charter Oak a one-year extension for the start of construction on the Park 215 development. The agency had initially hoped to break ground before the winter but several issues, including the need to confirm the funding, pushed back that timeline.
The state's Small Business Express initiative, which has provided loans and grants to over 1,500 companies, will see a $10 million infusion to further business incentives, and the Manufacturing Innovation Fund will see a $5 million investment.
Funding for brownfields – turning eyesores into livable, workable spaces – will see $12.5 million to help improve local communities.
Transportation and infrastructure will see investments, including $30 million in town aid road grants; $68.9 million for state road resurfacing; and $7 million for recreational trails across the state. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Harpers Ferry bypass goes into effect Tuesday in Waterbury
WATERBURY — Harpers Ferry Road south of Reidville Drive will close to traffic at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, and drivers will be shifted onto a bypass road that runs along Harpers Ferry. The work is part of the I-84 reconstruction project, which entails widening the highway to three lanes in both directions between Washington Street and Pierpont Road. While Harpers Ferry Road is closed, the bypass will allow drivers to continue taking their usual routes. "It should be pretty noneventful for the motorists," Department of Transportation Project Engineer Christopher J. Zukowski said. "We're not going to take anyone on a detour or make people do things differently. We're just realigning the road on temporary basis." The bypass will allow traffic on Harpers Ferry to continue using the bridge over I-84 while the new Harpers Ferry Road bridge over the future path of I-84, south of its current location, is built. Drivers will also be able to continue using Harpers Ferry Road to access Reidville Drive. The main difference motorists will notice is that northbound traffic on the Harpers Ferry Road bypass will use a right-turn only lane, with a yield sign at the end, to get onto Reidville Drive. Before the Harpers Ferry Road bypass opens, crews will finish line striping at the entrance and exit to the new bypass road, realign traffic light heads at the intersection of Harpers Ferry and Reidville Drive, activate new loop detectors in the pavement and install signs, Zukowski said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE