DURHAM, CT – On Wednesday, State Senators Christine Cohen and Paul Cicarella, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, State Representative John-Michael Parker, and First Selectman Brendan Rea welcomed $1 million in state funding for Shady Lane reconstruction.
Governor Ned Lamont announced this week that he’s releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut that will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other capital improvement projects.
Durham has been awarded a $1 million grant which will be matched by $270,000 from the town.
This significant funding makes critical improvements to transportation infrastructure and also enhances public safety by ensuring Shady Lane is workable for first responders,” said Sen. Cohen. “I was proud to work with First Selectman Rea and the CT DOT to drive forward solutions to concerns around this intersection and I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for ensuring the state is a strong partner to our municipalities in funding improvements like this one. These dollars reduce the town’s financial liability and offer a cost-effective solution in improving safety and navigability.”
“Like my colleagues in Durham’s legislative delegation, I’m appreciative of the Governor’s decision to set aside STEAP funds to help address problems with Shady Lane,” said Rep. Candelora. “This grant award, and others like it announced today, exemplifies the benefit of partnership between the state and municipalities, the latter of which can find it difficult to cover the entire cost of large infrastructure problems alone.”
“With this generous funding from STEAP, we can make significant progress on the Shady Lane reconstruction process and ensure our community has safe and up-to-date infrastructure,” Rep. Parker said. “The STEAP grants are an amazing opportunity that provides support for the small towns in Connecticut that would otherwise get overlooked. Thank you to Governor Lamont for giving our community the backing we need for these important infrastructure projects.”
“Thank you to the state’s bond commission and governor for releasing this funding to the Town of Durham to improve Shady Lane. This is an important passage through the town, and it’s so important that we maintain Durham’s infrastructure. I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure our residents’ needs are met.” said Sen. Cicarella.
“The Town of Durham is thrilled with the $1 million STEAP award for the Shady Lane reconstruction project,” said First Selectman Rea. “Shady Lane is currently an unimproved Town Road that houses one residence. Three additional houses are anticipated to be constructed on Shady as a result of a recent subdivision approval. The current road does not provide adequate width for access and two way travel of emergency services vehicles, school buses or normal Durham Highway Department snow plow equipment. This STEAP award will allow the town to move forward with significant road improvements that will benefit the community by providing adequate and safe access for drivers.”
The grants are being provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.
In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.
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