Governor M. Jodi Rell today led a ceremonial groundbreaking at a construction site in Enfield to mark the first Connecticut bridge project being paid for with federal “stimulus” money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The state is upgrading the heavily used 50-year-old Route 5 bridge over Interstate 91. In addition to rehabilitating the deck and the superstructure supporting it, work crews will raise the minimum clearance of the four-lane bridge from 14 feet to 16 feet.
“Connecticut needs this ‘stimulus’ for jobs and for our overall economy and the work on this bridge will continue to ensure the safety of motorists,” Governor Rell said. “This is a prime example of the kind of transportation project that we can move forward under the federal program, and the first of many. More than 30,000 vehicles cross this bridge every day and these stimulus dollars will help us maintained it in the best possible condition for years to come.
“Additionally, the work is being done by a local contractor with local jobs,” Governor Rell said. “It is a project that addresses critical needs on so many levels.”
The $4.7 million project will be done by Arborio Corporation of Cromwell under a contract administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The work is expected to be completed in 2011. One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open during the construction.
Deputy DOT Commissioner Albert A. Martin, who joined the Governor at the ceremony, said the project is one of 33 DOT projects being funded under the ARRA program, all of which will begin this year and next.
“Connecticut is getting back to work, thanks to ARRA, and the DOT can deliver on its promise to keep Connecticut moving and connected,” said Deputy Commissioner Martin. “Our projects provide meaningful jobs in every corner of the state. I want to thank the Governor for her leadership and the Federal Highway Administration for the strong partnership we’ve forged together under the ARRA program.”
During the ceremony, the Governor unveiled a special road sign, which will designate every DOT projects using stimulus dollars.
“The stimulus act is a historic piece of legislation and these are historic economic times,” Governor Rell said. “We are entrusted with spending this taxpayer money prudently, transparently and within the strict parameters of the federal law. We are doing just that.”
About ARRA and the DOT
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is designed to stimulate the economy through measures that, among other things, modernize the nation’s infrastructure and jumpstart the economy through the creation and retention of real jobs. Contractors are required to submit monthly reports to the Department of Transportation on the number of jobs involved in their projects. The DOT is overseeing 33 ARRA projects valued at $455 million in the general areas of highways, public transit and quality-of-life enhancements, such as greenways, bike/pedestrian paths and streetscape improvements.
A full listing of DOT ARRA project details can be found on the DOT website at www.ct.gov/dot under the "Recovery Information" icon near the right-hand margin.
