HARTFORD - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday released the second of two $30 million installments of Town Aid Road funding for cities and towns across Connecticut.
The funding continues an increased amount for municipal purposes, which prior to the Malloy administration had received lower amounts ranging from $12.5 million to $30 million.
In addition, an allocation of $68.9 million has also been approved to cover the costs associated with resurfacing state roadways this year. The state’s road paving program will begin in earnest on April 1, the traditional start of the construction season in Connecticut. This year, it is anticipated that at least 250 two-lane miles of roads throughout the state will be repaved.
“In Connecticut, we are in the middle of a critical conversation on what we need to do to build a best-in-class transportation system that provides residents and businesses with real solutions for problems that the state can no longer put off,” Malloy said. “Providing our towns and cities with increased funding for local transportation projects is an important part of these efforts.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
U.S. construction spending hit 8-year-high in 2015
Washington — U.S. construction spending rebounded slightly in December, helping push total spending for 2015 to the highest level in eight years.
Construction spending increased 0.1 percent in December after falling in October and November, the Commerce Department said Monday.
The December increase was driven by gains in home construction and spending on government projects. That offset declines in spending on private construction of shopping centers, office buildings and hotels.
For all of 2015, construction jumped 10.5 percent to $1.1 trillion, the highest total since 2007.
A home construction boom peaked in 2006 before falling for the next five years. Construction spending has been climbing since 2012. Economists believe building activity, fueled by home construction, will bolster the overall economy this year. Home construction was a bright spot in the fourth quarter, growing at an annual rate of 8.1 percent in the October-December period. That was one of the best showings for any major category.
The overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at a meager annual rate of 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Economists are looking for stronger growth of around 2.5 percent in the current January-March period. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Bond earns CT Construction Industries Association’s Highest Safety award
BOND, a full-service construction management and general contracting company with operations throughout New England, has received the Connecticut Construction Industries Association's Platinum Award for overall safety performance over the past three years. The Platinum Level Safety award is given to only a select few contractors each year.
The award represents a review of all areas of BOND's safety programs including the normal evaluation of its OSHA recordable incident rates and OSHA history. The designation also included an assessment of BOND's training programs, pre-task planning and safety inspection software.
Malloy Steps Up Campaign For Transportation Funding Lockbox
MERIDEN — Hammering away at his theme that Connecticut's transportation network desperately needs an overhaul, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday called on lawmakers to pass legislation that could lead to a lockbox for transportation funding.
Lawmakers in December came close to sending a proposed constitutional amendment to voters that would keep money set aside for transportation from being used for other purposes. A lockbox is seen as politically necessary for Malloy's $100 billion, 30-year proposal to rebuild and expand the state's transportation network. Using a constitutional amendment, as opposed to a statute, to create a lockbox is billed as a way to make it more difficult for governors or legislators to divert transportation monies into the general fund in the future.
Malloy's administration is campaigning to build support for a new vote this spring. He said at a press conference that he has swayed some Democratic and Republican opponents to support it.
"We've already made substantial headway. There are a number of folks — I'm not going to name them — who previously voted against this who [now] want to vote for it or something very similar," Malloy told reporters. "We need to bring some more along." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Gov. Malloy Won't Push For Costly XL Center Upgrade
HARTFORD — A $250 million transformation of Hartford's aging XL Center arena won't be getting a place in the state's capital budget for the next fiscal year, as Connecticut faces a looming deficit and the governor is pledging no new taxes.
A source familiar with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget proposal said the XL Center project will not be included in the spending plan. The budget will be revealed when the legislature convenes on Wednesday. Malloy has already described the budget as "austere."
The Capital Region Development Authority, which oversees the arena, has studied options for the venue's long-term future, and it has backed a dramatic change that would essentially create a new arena. Plans include adding a second concourse to relieve congestion and irritating waits at concessions; more premium seating lower in the arena; and more amenities and restrooms. The number of seats would increase by as many as 3,000 to about 19,000.
The massive renovation seeks to make the XL competitive with new, larger arenas and boost the 40-year old XL's money-making potential, transforming it into a profitable venue. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE