Federal and state elected officials announced two new grants of nearly $150 million for infrastructure improvements of two bridges in Connecticut. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has been awarded nearly $80 million in federal funds to assist with replacing the 124-year-old Walk Bridge in Norwalk, which carries nearly 200 trains on the Metro-North line each day.
An additional grant of about $65 million will also be given to the Connecticut River Bridge that connects Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut says more federal money is needed to help rebuild the state’s aging transportation system.
“We’re going to continue to fight, compete, work hard because Connecticut needs this transportation money to upgrade not only the Walk Bridge but all of our bridges, all of our railroads and roads in Connecticut," Blumenthal says.
Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes joined in for the announcement. Himes says this project needs to be done in a quick and efficient manner.
“The federal delegation is going to do all it can to make sure that this project stays on time and that it moves efficiently and then it's done in such a way as to minimize the impact on the wonderful neighborhood and the many many businesses that are here.”
He says this grant award is a “good day” for the state.
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