Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) cheered the State Bond Commission’s approval of funding for completion of the 25-year Merritt Parkway Improvement Program and key infrastructure improvements in New Canaan and Norwalk. The Commission voted in support at its July 23 meeting on a significant resurfacing and reconstruction of the Merritt Parkway between New Canaan and Norwalk.
“At the groundbreaking of the Merritt Parkway, Congressman Schuyler Merritt announced that ‘this great highway is not being constructed primarily for rapid transit but for pleasant transit.’ These days, traveling on the Merritt is neither rapid nor pleasant,” said Sen. Haskell, who is also Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee. “It’s time to bring our roads into the 21st century, and that means re-surfacing decaying roadways that our constituents rely upon every day. I’m grateful that Governor Lamont is seeing this project through the finish line, and I look forward to traveling on a more efficient, more enjoyable Merritt in the future.”
“Traffic in southwestern Connecticut is increasing as we return to work and travel this summer, but long delays and poor road conditions can leave drivers fuming on the road,” said Sen. Duff. “It’s very encouraging that this stretch of the Merritt will receive a facelift, making driving conditions better and safer in our region. It’s another step toward improving Connecticut’s infrastructure and providing better resources for our communities. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission for their foresight.”
The Bond Committee approved investments in resurfacing and reconstruction projects, most notably resurfacing improvements to Route 15, better known as the Merritt Parkway, in New Canaan and Norwalk. According to the Department of Transportation, $60.9 million will be provided under the Capital Resurfacing Program to finish the 25-year Merritt Parkway Improvement Program. In the last quarter-century, this extensive project has cost approximately $350 million. A portion of approximately 3.8 miles of road, from Route 124 to Norwalk’s Main Street, will receive resurfacing, bridge improvements and safety improvements.