NORWALK – Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling highlighted more than $175 million in transportation investments and funding, from federal and state sources, that will lead to significant renovation, repair and upkeep work on roads and highways in Norwalk and New Canaan, with both Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway each receiving more than $50 million in funding. Part of the funds will contribute to the continued resurfacing of the Merritt Parkway.
“When we look to the future of transportation in Connecticut, we dream of faster trains, fewer traffic jams and safer infrastructure to carry us where we need to go. But we won’t reach that future without funding projects like this,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m so grateful that Governor Lamont has helped bring a 25-year project to the finish line. In fact, the Merritt Parkway Improvement Project has been going on for as long as I’ve been alive. It’s time we complete this final stretch here on the Norwalk/New Canaan Border and get Fairfield County moving.”
“Connecticut continues to make critical investments in local transportation infrastructure,” said Sen. Duff. “But these upgrades are more than asphalt, steel and cement. Better infrastructure means less traffic, more time at home with family, and an overall better quality of life for our community.”
With the State Bond Commission’s approval of funding allocations on July 23, Norwalk and New Canaan will receive upwards of $175 million in transportation funding in coming years from federal and state sources. The largest and most significant investment will be a total of $98 million, which will go toward safety improvements along two miles of Interstate 95 from Exit 16 to 17. Of that $98 million, $53.255 million will come from federal sources, while $2.8 million of additional state funds will be used; the remaining $41.945 million for the project comes from previously allocated bond funds.
Further support in the area will include more than $50 million to support the resurfacing of the Merritt Parkway, also known as Route 15, helping the continuing resurfacing project and improving conditions on the Parkway and further leading to bridge and safety improvements there as well. The East Avenue Railroad Bridge, which carries Metro North, will receive $14 million in funds, with $6.6 million in state funding and $8.2 million in bonding and other funding supporting its growth.
Finally, allocations of $906,875 and $331,787 in Town Aid Road allocations for Norwalk and New Canaan, respectively, will support general road work; Darien will receive an additional $341,348.