DOT Completes Waterbury Mixmaster Improvements

By Joe O’Leary

November 13 @ 9:30 am

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After six years and extensive work in the area, a project to rehabilitate and extend the life of Waterbury’s Mixmaster was completed as of Oct. 31, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The $223 million project, which began in 2018 with an update of a 50-year-old bridge, has since involved extensive repairs and rehabilitation of the Route 8/I-84 exchange that had previously dogged commuters for decades. The interchange now offers the city an interchange that has caught up to the demands of traffic for the next quarter-century.

The Mixmaster project repaired more than 2.77 miles of road and included work on 10 separate bridges in order to meet interchange’s long-term needs.

In a press release, DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said the agency and its contractors overcame several unforeseen obstacles before completing the multi-year initiative.

“Now that the Mixmaster Rehabilitation Project has been successfully completed, we look forward to continuing engaging the community and stakeholders with our New Mix Program, as we plan for the long-term future of the interchange,” Eucalitto said.

While the agency said the Mixmaster’s lifespan should extend to the middle of this century, its New Mix Program will see continuous consideration of long-term rehabilitation and replacement options to improve its safety and functionality.

Now traversed by up to 190,000 vehicles daily, the Mixmaster was not designed to handle such traffic when it was first constructed in the 1960s. Growing populations and increased highway use have heightened pressure from I-84 and Route 8 over the ensuing decades.

Its condition degraded as traffic increased to the point that the Department of Transportation listed the Mixmaster as “dangerous” in 2005, with substandard ramps and rapidly changing speed limits causing an average of 1.4 crashes per day.

The agency broadened the scope of construction after workers approached and studied the area and concluded that more work was necessary. According to the DOT, the project’s costs swelled to account for repairs to six of 11 ramps and four bridges, complete deck replacement on two bridges and facelifts, localized repairs and partial and full deck repairs for others.

Traffic in the area is now more streamlined than six years ago, when the Mixmaster was known to snarl traffic and cause serious backups. However, even as the project reaches fruition, the New Mix looms over the future, as the Mixmaster will reach the end of its serviceable lifespan in 2045. Studies and discussions over its replacement are already underway, according to the DOT.

The agency and an infrastructure design firm have begun work on the project and brainstormed as many as two dozen possibilities for a replacement. The work has focused on reconnecting neighborhoods and supporting Waterbury residents while ensuring the up-to-225,000 vehicles traveling through daily by 2045 can get from point A to point B without issue.

State Parks to Receive Infrastructure Upgrades and Repairs

By Michelle Rappaport

November 12 @ 11:00 am

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New improvements will soon be made across the Connecticut State Parks System through a $30 million allocation by the State Bond Commission, which included $3 million to make repairs at three state parks damaged by severe flooding on Aug. 18.

The funding will support the Restore CT State Parks Initiative, which aims to take care of outstanding repairs that are needed across the state’s 110 parks and 32 forests.

Part of this $30 million investment will help fix damage done at Larkin Trail State Park in Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Southbury; Kettletown State Park in Southbury; and Southford Falls State Park in Southbury where serious flooding took place in August. The funding will help stabilize affected areas to prevent future damage and address critical public safety concerns.

In a press release announcing the funding, Gov. Ned Lamont said state parks were a big part of Connecticut’s quality of life.

“These destinations are also well-loved, welcoming an estimated 17 million visitors annually – that’s more than four times the population of Connecticut,” Lamont said. “We’re restoring our parks to ensure that residents and visitors now and into the future can have a wonderful outdoor recreation experience in Connecticut.”

Under the Restore CT State Parks initiative, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has worked to advance projects across the state to improve ADA access, repair historic and cultural infrastructure, such as Gillette Castle, Fort Trumbull, and Heublein Tower; and other maintenance issues such as paving, bathhouse and utility repairs.

DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes thanked both the governor and the state legislature for their commitment to helping the agency address a backlog of repairs and refurbishments to Connecticut’s park system.

“From brand-new windows in the Heublein Tower, to terrace reconstruction at Gillette Castle, to a new boardwalk at Rocky Neck, and countless more projects, we’re delivering an improved parks experience for current and future visitors,” Dykes said.

Connecticut Builds on Benefits for Military Veterans

By Hugh McQuaid

November 11 @ 5:00 am

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Seeking to give back to those who served in the United States military, Connecticut policymakers enacted several new laws this year aimed at improving the lives of veterans, including bills to streamline licensing processes and expand access to veteran plates.

One bill, which passed unanimously through the Senate and House this year, will waive state requirements for obtaining a “Q” driver’s license endorsement necessary to operate fire apparatus so long as the veteran received applicable training in the military.

This policy is designed to help veterans and servicemembers find work or service opportunities at local fire departments, while aiding those agencies in filling critical staffing shortages.

Meanwhile, another new law will help military families by entering Connecticut into the Social Work Licensure Compact, which creates an avenue for social workers to practice in participating states. This change will help members or their spouses, who often face licensure obstacles as they move from state-to-state.

Department of Defense New England Region Liaison Melissa Willette testified in support of the law when it was raised for a public hearing earlier this year. Willette said the sacrifices of military spouses often go unnoticed.

“Most of our military families rely on two incomes to meet their financial needs, and many military spouses hold professional licenses,” she said. “These professionals are disproportionately affected by state-specific licensure requirements that can cause delays and gaps in employment, especially when they are forced to relocate every few years as part of their family’s service obligation.”

Another new law will expand access to veterans’ specialty license plates and licenses to veterans of the National Guard who do not qualify for federal benefits.

These new policies and others like them complement existing Connecticut veteran benefits like a tuition waiver at public colleges and universities and a basic $1,000 property tax exemption for certain honorably discharged veterans.

Connecticut Housing Department Highlights Investments in Residents

By Joe O’Leary

November 8 @ 5:00 am

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New data released by Connecticut’s Department of Housing highlighted the number of individuals and families aided by the agency every year through initiatives to help people exit homelessness, avoid housing insecurity or create new homes to support Connecticut’s population.

In updates on the DOH’s efforts to prevent homelessness from 2023 to 2024, the department found that it helped more than 25,000 individuals and families with approximately $200 million in resources each year. Of those people, more than 14,000 received monthly rent assistance, with programs aiding them including housing vouchers and rental assistance through UniteCT.

Another 11,000 of those residents received emergency support when they experienced housing insecurity or homelessness. More than 6,400 people utilized emergency shelters across the state, but the DOH’s efforts in aiding them went further – more than 1,300 households exited homelessness in the last year by utilizing resources to find housing.

Nearly 1,000 more diverted from homelessness over the same period. More than 950 people who were formerly homeless now reside in supportive housing, and another 7,000 people received eviction protection from UniteCT in 2023 and 2024.

Of the people who received emergency support, more than 1,000 benefited from aid through the Youth Homelessness Project, which specifically targets younger residents from ages 18-24 to protect them from falling into homelessness.

The agency continues to grapple with ongoing challenges related to housing. There were about 3,410 reported individuals in Connecticut who were homeless this year, according to the 2024 Connecticut Point-In-Time count. That figure climbed more than 10% from 2023 to 2024.

Legislative leaders have committed to addressing the rise in unsheltered residents. In February, Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, told the Connecticut Mirror that the issue was one that a state like Connecticut could fix.

“This is something that a state like us should have fixed many years ago,” Anwar said. “There are structural issues that can solve this, that can help take care of and prevent homelessness in a very timely fashion.”

One such strategy involves creating more housing units to reduce tightness in the market and reduce prices, making it more affordable to access housing itself. The Department of Housing is actively working to develop and preserve housing across the state.

Over the last two years, that effort has included $450 million in investments for high quality affordable units, $200 million in new gap financing for middle-income development and $150 million through the “Time To Own” first-time ownership support program. The latter initiative has helped nearly 5,000 first-time homebuyers access an average of $31,000 for down payments.

The Department of Housing has also spurred new development from 2019-2024, with more than 13,000 units completed in that time – the result of $3 billion in development, including $616 million in department resources and $2.4 billion in other public/private investment. Another 6,000+ units were under or close to construction, with another $2.2+ billion invested between the DOH and other public and private investment.

Connecticut Recognized for Digital Government Advancements

By Hugh McQuaid

November 7 @ 9:00 am

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Connecticut was recently recognized as a leading state for digital government services and the top-ranking state in digital services when it comes to transportation and motor vehicles, the Center for Digital Government announced.

The center is a national institute that focuses on technology policy and best practices in government. Every two years, the group evaluates state governments on their use of technology to enhance the delivery of services, engage the public, and streamline operations.

Overall, the center awarded Connecticut an “A-,” placing it among the leading states for the second consecutive evaluation. The center cited Connecticut’s efforts to regulate Artificial Intelligence technology in government.

“Connecticut lawmakers passed legislation to address discrimination and harm caused by AI in state services,” the group’s editorial staff wrote. “The state requires systems that rely on AI technology to submit to tests in an effort to prevent discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, age and more. The legislation also intends to safeguard personal information.”

The state’s initiative to regulate Artificial Intelligence has been led by state Sen. James Maroney, a Milford Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s General Law Committee.

“It is now more important than ever for state and local leaders to embrace new technology like artificial intelligence that will enhance the workforce and the lives of so many,” Maroney said in a recent press release. “It is also imperative we protect our personal data and privacy online and address critical issues that involve our healthcare system while ensuring Connecticut is a state where every resident is treated equally.”

Meanwhile, the group recognized Connecticut as the #1 state in the nation for its use of digital government services related to transportation and motor vehicle functions.

Gov. Ned Lamont welcomed the recognition in a press release, saying that innovation was Connecticut’s “biggest asset.”

“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to the cross-agency work across state government to make our digital government services more accessible, easier to navigate, and more user friendly,” Lamont said. “The first-in-the-nation ranking for the use of technology in transportation and motor vehicles is thanks in large part to innovative programs – the wrong-way driver system on the state’s highways and the online appointment system that has dramatically reshaped the public’s ability to interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles.”

State Agencies Respond to Extreme Weather by Enhancing Climate Resilience

By Joe O’Leary

November 6 @ 9:30 am

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Multiple state agencies are increasing their efforts to support climate resilience to mitigate the impact of weather events like those that occurred on Aug. 18, a date which many Connecticut residents will likely never forget.

Unexpected torrential rains dropped across the state that day, damaging and destroying property across three counties. Two individuals died in flooding, with as many as 80 businesses and 19 homes destroyed, while hundreds of others were damaged by the storm, state officials told CT Insider back in August.

The event was the latest in an unsettling trend of storms and natural disasters causing millions of dollars of damage across Connecticut in recent years, with instances seeming to grow over time.

Heavy rainfall in the summer of 2023 caused flooding along the Connecticut River, with especially devastating results for nearby farms. That summer also included drought and extreme heat.

Meanwhile, the state weathered the remnants of tropical storms and hurricanes in 2021. These storms flooded low-lying communities, killed an on-duty police officer and destroyed at least one road in Manchester, while also damaging locations in Meriden.

Even this autumn’s lack of rain has caused extreme conditions, creating a tinderbox in state forests that sparked fires across Connecticut and led to the death of a Wethersfield firefighter as he responded.

Facing down conditions like these, state residents, businesses and municipalities likely have wary eyes heading to the sky whenever there’s a threat of severe weather.

The Connecticut Insurance Department was the latest agency to respond to such concerns through its new Extreme Weather Mitigation and Resiliency Advisory Council, which will provide expert recommendations in the name of minimizing future damages caused by extreme weather events.

In a press release, Insurance Commissioner Andrew M. Mais said the council would play a crucial role in enhancing the safety and resilience of Connecticut communities.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Mais said. “By focusing on preventative measures and fortifying properties, we aim to reduce the financial, emotional, and social impacts of natural disasters, while also fostering a more competitive and accessible insurance market.”

Primarily focused on flooding, with consideration for other damaging weather, this council has been tasked with finding incentive programs to help homeowners and businesses reduce their risks from hazards.

The council’s work will include grant standards, emerging insurance products, financial thresholds and partnerships to make the program sustainable and effective. The group plans to study outreach and education, data sharing and partnership models that can further encourage and build programs supporting resilience against extreme weather.

The new council comes in addition to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s climate resiliency efforts, which have included more than $8 million in grants in 2023 to support projects in municipalities across the state.

DEEP’s efforts included plans to reduce heat impacts in urban cities, develop initiatives to handle flooding for areas along rivers in communities like Bristol, Norwich, and Stamford, and in some cases, develop town-wide climate mitigation plans.

Election Day 2024: Here is What’s on the Ballot

By Hugh McQuaid

November 5 @ 5:00 am

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Tuesday marks Election Day and the last opportunity for Connecticut voters to cast ballots in a handful of state and federal races following the state’s first 14-day early voting period in a general election.

Residents seeking to cast their vote Tuesday should report to their traditional polling locations — as opposed to their town halls, where many municipalities based their polling places during this year’s early voting period. Voters can find their polling location by visiting the Office of the Secretary of the State’s website at this link.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., when voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a number of high-profile state and federal races, including the presidential contest, one of Connecticut’s U.S. senators, all five congressional seats, and every seat in the state legislature.

Meanwhile, voters will also be asked to weigh in on whether Connecticut should amend its state constitution to allow the legislature to pass laws permitting no-excuse absentee voting.

Although Connecticut already has an absentee ballot option, the constitution currently restricts use of the ballots to those who qualify for a handful of “excuses” like illnesses or out-of-town travel during voting hours.

If voters approve the ballot question, the state legislature would have the option of adopting policies to permit voters to access absentee ballots without needing an excuse.

Currently, 36 states offer either no-excuse absentee voting or conduct their elections entirely by mail, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Connecticut residents approved a similar question in 2022, when voters overwhelmingly endorsed changing the constitution to permit early voting. That decision enabled Democrats in the state legislature to lead passage of a 2023 law that allowed this year’s early voting period.

That new voting option has been widely used over the last 14 days, as many Connecticut voters cast their ballots early for the first time. Over the first week of voting, more than 310,000 residents voted, according to Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.

“I am proud to share that voters around Connecticut report a smooth roll-out for the first-ever early voting period for a general election,” Thomas said last week. “Sixty percent of voters wanted early voting. They got it. And it’s been inspiring to see how well received and utilized it’s been.”