This summer is bringing millions of dollars of investments to Connecticut’s roads and airports, providing new resources for infrastructure projects statewide.
In late June, Gov. Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced the latest release of state funding through the Transportation Rural Improvement Program. This $10 million initiative is designed to support rural communities that are ineligible for federal transportation programs.
The grants will help towns, including Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Bolton, Burlington, Columbia, Goshen, Litchfield and Marlborough, which will receive funding through the program. Grants vary in size from $2 million to $341,179. Projects supported range from direct roadway improvements to bridge replacements and rehabilitations and sidewalk extensions on key town roads.
The TRIP program, established in 2022 and using 100% state funding, has issued more than $19 million in total grants since it started delivering funds in January 2024.
“Connecticut’s rural communities are often shut out of many federal programs because of their size or density, and the state’s TRIP program fixes that problem,” Lamont said as the funds were announced. “Our smaller towns are one of the many things that make Connecticut such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. More importantly, these state grants will not only strengthen transportation but help to ensure our communities remain safe and connected for future generations.”
The TRIP program specifically supports communities with at least 50% of their land considered to be rural. Eligibility for the program is largely consolidated in Litchfield County, the northwest corner, and eastern Connecticut.
In addition to the road, bridge and sidewalk expansions, Connecticut was recently chosen to receive more than $8.7 million in funding for its airports, the lion’s share of that Department of Transportation funding will go to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.
Connecticut’s Congressional Delegation said that of those funds, Bradley will receive $8.54 million in grants to expand its existing Terminal A by more than 25,000 square feet, adding to more than $30 million in funding previously administered to the project from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Hartford Courant noted the project, which has been in the works for more than two years, adds two corridors on the side of the airport’s main terminal providing two new exits and two new meet-and-greet locations for arriving passenger traffic. The new resources are expected to streamline passenger travel through the airport, making moving through the location much easier for fliers.
“Bradley is receiving additional federal funds for a much-needed terminal expansion – greatly improving the passenger experience and satisfying safety standards,” the Congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “We’re proud to have secured this funding for our state and will continue to fight for the federal resources needed to upgrade and elevate Connecticut’s infrastructure.”
In addition to the support for Bradley, Danbury Municipal Airport will receive a grant, valued at $225,378, to replace existing lighting equipment in the airport’s vault.
