Groton-New London Airport temporarily closed to air travel due to maintenance project

Groton-New London Airport temporarily is closed to air travel until Sunday morning due to pavement maintenance work on the intersection of the runways, airport officials said. Tony Sheridan, chairman of the Connecticut Airport Authority board of directors, said the project is part of scheduled repair and maintenance at the Groton airport. Terminal and airport businesses […]

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Part of Route 25 to be resurfaced in Trumbull, Bridgeport

The Department of Transportation has announced that a nighttime resurfacing project on Route 25 northbound and southbound in Bridgeport and Trumbull will begin on Thursday, May 7. This project is expected to be completed by Monday, June 8. The milling segment of this project is anticipated to be performed on Thursday, May 7 through Friday, […]

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Wallingford Town Council votes to fund $7.4 million Community Pool renovation

The Town Council approved an amended ordinance Tuesday evening to appropriate funds and authorize bonds for the renovation of Community Pool Park. The ordinance amendment that passed Tuesday increases the appropriation and bond authorization by $6,845,000, from $625,000 to $7,470,000. Michael Savenelli Sr., Parks and Recreation Commission member and pool committee chairman, said that the […]

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New name for Hartford’s redeveloped Westbrook Village intended to look toward new future on site of demolished, 1950s complex

Charlie Adams, regional vice president for Philadelphia-based Pennrose LLC, a partner in the housing redevelopment, said Tuesday he does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to delay leasing. The construction schedule has not been impacted, Adams said. The initial stage, costing $28 million, is backed by a combination of state funds, a federal home loan grant, […]

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Port Authority says State Pier construction schedule on track

The Connecticut Port Authority on Monday authorized its chairman to secure an agreement with a company that will oversee the estimated $157 million redevelopment of State Pier. The project to create an offshore wind hub is expected to start early next year and finish in 2022. Activity could start before year’s end with demolition and remediation […]

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Bristol greenlights $5M downtown apartment complex

A Southington development firm says it will break ground in the coming months on a $5-million apartment complex in downtown Bristol after receiving a tax abatement and other development approvals from the city. The city council recently approved a multi-year tax abatement for Carrier Construction Inc. to push forward its plan to erect 32 market-rate […]

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Union construction workers rise to meet the many challenges of COVID-19

From necessary upgrades to keep roads and highways safe to maintaining and upgrading utilities, continuing construction work ensures that the country will have the infrastructure it needs during this critical time. Union construction — not just through the AFL-CIO, but through any trade union — has long had a strong reputation for its attention to […]

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Working or Unemployed, Construction Workers Are Screwed

Leaders at two major building trade unions this week described an increasingly desperate economic climate for their members. Eric Dean, the president of the 130,000-member Ironworkers Union, said that 30% of his work force was “idle or sitting at home,” and that unemployment continues to rise by the day. Jim Williams, vice president and organizing […]

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Niantic River Drawbridge repairs to begin May 4

The state Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin a $13.9 million project to repair the Niantic River Drawbridge on May 4. The yearlong project will require periods of alternating one-way traffic. The state has hired Middlesex Corp. of Littleton, Mass., to do the work. All roadwork on the bridge is to be completed by […]

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Despite COVID-19, Construction Continues on Milford Bridge

The job has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic with construction jobs not stopped in Connecticut. Though Gov. Ned Lamont has established business restrictions during the pandemic, he has spared the construction industry, with limitations only placed on indoor construction jobs. New England Road of Clinton, Conn., is the general contractor and won the job with […]

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CT could start to reopen ‘sometime in June’

Nooyi — the retired chair and CEO of PepsiCo and top business executive leading the efforts to reopen the state — said the committee to reopen Connecticut has been brainstorming ways to “selectively” reopen the economy when the time comes. “We are never, ever going to not focus on public health,” Nooyi said. She estimated […]

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Long time coming: Project manager selected to get Anna Reynolds School renovation off ground

The project building committee hired Colliers International, which will now be analyzing the building’s needs and formulating a cost for the school’s reconstruction. Newington Town Council has also shown its support, voting unanimously at its most recent meeting to appropriate $50,000 to the committee for the construction manager’s selection. In addition to a failing roof, […]

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Development agreement outlined for New Haven’s $100M life-sciences incubator

Developer Winstanley Enterprises LLC of Concord, Mass. has proposed to build 500,000 square feet of laboratory and life-sciences incubation space at a new address: 101 College Street. The 101 College Street project was first reported in January. That was before the coronavirus pandemic hit, dealing a body blow to economic-development projects in Connecticut and around […]

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Contractors, Army Corps of Engineers transforming buildings into makeshift hospitals

Around the U.S., efforts to flatten the curve have pushed the federal government, often spearheaded by the Army Corps of Engineers, to construct hospitals in convention centers or other similar spaces, or for contractors to speed up construction of traditional hospital projects already underway. One of the first was the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center […]

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New Fairfield approves land purchase for school project

During a special joint meeting Monday night, the Board of Selectmen authorized the purchase of the 2-acre property for $325,000, and the Board of Finance voted to authorize the appropriation from the town’s capital and non-recurring projects fund balance. Officials have said the $325,000 property purchase price will not be an added cost as the […]

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Legislature Won’t Return Before May 6

Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said Monday that they haven’t ruled out a special session, however, the state Capitol will remain closed through the constitutional adjournment of May 6. Looney said they can’t bring people back into the building without the proper protection, such as masks and gloves. He said they are working with […]

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Will the coronavirus kill the state’s transit comeback?

Ridership was breaking records almost every year in the last decade – until the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now ridership has dropped precipitously, especially on Metro-North trains, where ridership is down a stunning 95%. Bus ridership is down about 50% across the state, according to Connecticut transportation officials, though in the past week it has inched […]

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New Fairfield residents question legality of high school building plan

Town officials are looking to acquire 78 Gillotti Road for its high school building project, but some New Fairfield residents are questioning whether that move is legal without a referendum. One resident called for the project to be “formally placed on an indefinite hold” due to construction costs and financial hardships taxpayers are facing as […]

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Labor officials: Having bank account on file can speed up unemployment benefits

Gov. Ned Lamont and labor officials announced earlier this week that emergency programming revisions to the department’s nearly 40-year-old IT system will reduce a six-week average wait time to seven days by April 25. “If we can do direct deposit you will have the funds within two business days” of claim approval,” said DOL spokeswoman […]

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Future of Killingly turf project up in the air

Killingly High School was hoping to get the turf project for its football field approved by the Killingly Town Council earlier this week. A special town meeting to approve the project could not be held since Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has banned all public gatherings. If the turf field is not approved in May, the […]

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Waterbury may save on school’s reconstrution

Bids for the reconstruction of Wendell Cross Elementary School have come in millions of dollars cheaper than city officials predicted. The architect and project manager estimated a $50.6 million cost in October. But on Monday, the Board of Aldermen will be asked to sign off on contract amendments that set the cost at $46.2 million. […]

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Construction tops industries in PPP stimulus loan funds, but still needs additional funding

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which allowed for a cap of $349 billion in loans to small qualifying firms in need due to the coronavirus outbreak​, ran out on April 16. As of April 13, the construction industry had received 114,838 loan approvals, totaling just under $34 billion — more than any […]

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Boston Mayor Considers Bringing Construction Back, Slowly

He also noted that any plan depends on the rate of ongoing infections and hospitalizations. Resumption of construction will move ahead cautiously, with Massachusetts entering what state officials say is likely the peak period for coronavirus deaths and infections. Walsh floated the idea of seeking affidavits from contractors pledging to follow coronavirus safety protocols. He […]

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Paying employees during a coronavirus-related project suspension: What do federal laws say?

The quick answer is that contractors are generally not required to pay employees for time off during a project suspension, but it may depend on the specific circumstances. While federal wage and hour law does not require contractors to pay employees during time off from work, the new federal leave laws do require paid leave […]

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Loan OK’d for Hartford’s DoNo development, summer groundbreaking eyed

The Capital Region Development Authority’s (CRDA) board of directors on Thursday afternoon unanimously approved, via teleconference, an $11.8 million low-cost loan for the first phase of the project led by RMS Cos. Salvatore recently said the first phase, estimated to cost $46 million, could be completed in 18 months. The development will house up to […]

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Brief outbreak of tolls debate marks Bond Commission meeting

Republican legislative leaders charged Gov. Ned Lamont with retaliating against toll opponents after the State Bond Commission scrapped financing at the last minute for rail cars for the Waterbury and Danbury lines. The administration countered that the change was due to a simple, agenda error. But Lamont also told critics that the state’s transportation program […]

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These Real Estate And Construction Industry Insiders Will Advise President Trump On Reopening The Economy

The White House announced the formation of Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups Tuesday night, made up of more than 200 people, largely corporate CEOs, who will give Trump advice on when and how the federal government should reopen the economy. Associated General Contractors CEO Stephen Sandherr, who was among those named on the list, […]

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Multi-building industrial complex eyed in South Windsor

David A. Simler, of Messier Survey LLC, filed an application with the town last month seeking to build a 13,400-square-foot industrial complex at 360 Burnham St. The area near the East Hartford town line is mostly developed with a mix of commercial, industrial and residential use, according to documents accompanying the application. Simler will need […]

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City Council approves construction project to replace Louisiana Avenue Bridge

The City Council Tuesday night approved a construction project to replace the Louisiana Avenue Bridge, with approximately 80% of the $3.7 million cost state funded. Construction is expected to start in May. The project is being funded through the Federal/ Local Bridge program administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu. However, […]

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Millstone moving forward with reactor refueling amid COVID-19 pandemic

But amid the COVID-19 pandemic, operators have had to restructure this spring’s refueling for Millstone’s Unit 2 reactor to ensure the safety of both resident and visiting workers. That effort will include social distancing protocols but should be carried out successfully, Millstone spokesman Ken Holt said, as workers at the plant already have been practicing […]

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$28M in federal stimulus inbound for Bradley airport

The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday announced more than $30 million in stimulus funds for Connecticut airports, with Windsor Locks’ Bradley International claiming the lion’s share. Bradley, which has seen its customer traffic plummet and its debt outlook dip amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, will receive $28.5 million, according to the FAA. The Connecticut […]

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O&G Powers Quarry with Solar

O&G Industries, Connecticut’s largest privately held construction company, recently went live with a 1.3-megawatt (MW) solar array at its quarry on Roxbury Road in Southbury, Conn. The solar array sits on 5-acres and will produce the energy equivalent necessary to power 150 homes. The project is one of three solar projects that O&G has developed […]

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Southington Public Library announces plan to pursue construction of new building

Southington Public Library announced, at a virtual Southington Town Council meeting, that they plan to pursue the construction of a new building and the demolition of the existing one. The library has agreed to a plan that would cost $13.9 million. Kristi Sadowski, library director and Jeff Hoover, library design director with Tappe Architects, spoke […]

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New Fairfield to vote on land acquisition for high school

The Permanent Building Committee voted last week to recommend the purchase of the 2-acre property to the boards and move forward with a construction plan that incorporates it into the $84.2 million project. During next Monday’s virtual meeting, the selectmen will vote on authorizing the purchase of 78 Gillotti Road, while the Board of Finance […]

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Facing delay, Westport school board prepares contingency plans for Coleytown

The plan to re-open Coleytown Middle School on Sept. 1 may likely face a delay because of the coronavirus. Last summer, the Representative Town Meeting approved a $32 million plan to restore Coleytown after the middle school closed in 2018 due to massive mold problems. But with social distancing guidelines now in place, O’Day said […]

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Crisis averted for $87.35 million Middletown middle school project

Officials were happy to report the $87.35 million middle school project is right on schedule, despite a roadblock involving nonessential business amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Ned Lamont’s recent executive order deemed only construction projects already underway could continue, however, New York-based Schenectady Steel’s production was deemed nonessential by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to Gene […]

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New Haven’s Grand Avenue Bridge to close Monday for $22 million construction project

The city announced that the Grand Avenue Bridge in Fair Haven will close for construction Monday, allowing for “significant structural improvements.” The bridge is expected to remain closed for approximately 610 days, Mayor Justin Elicker and other officials said in a release. The $22 million project is expected to completely replace the mechanical and electrical […]

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Spring paving programs to begin in May for many roadways in Bristol

The Public Works Department has released its schedule for this year’s spring paving program, which will be completed in two phases. The initial phase consists of milling off the existing bituminous pavement of the road. The second phase consists of installing a new bituminous roadway surface and will commence shortly after the first phase. Once […]

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Mitchell begins work on new outdoor athletic complex

Construction is underway on a new Mitchell College outdoor athletic complex, weeks earlier than expected due to the cancellation of the spring sports season and students leaving campus. The state-of-the-art complex will replace the existing grass fields with artificial turf multi-sport, baseball and softball fields, each complete with a scoreboard, bleachers and elevated press box […]

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Coronavirus concerns delay start of Mystic Seaport hotel project

Mystic Seaport Museum announced Wednesday that construction of a 26-room boutique hotel on the site of the Latitude 41 restaurant will be delayed until early 2022 because of the “economic and market uncertainty caused by COVID-19.” Construction of the $12 million project by Greenwich Hospitality Group had been slated to begin in early 2021 and […]

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Plainville town leaders receive update on White Oak construction site

During a remote meeting of the Plainville Town Council, town leaders received an update on the environmental study of the White Oak Construction site which led to a reduced estimated cost for remediation. Sarah Burkhalter-Sweeney, Senior Project Geologist at Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc., said that by better confining the areas of contamination, she has new […]

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Scannell Properties eyes sprawling $250M distribution facility in Windsor

Scannell, which is currently building a $50-million distribution hub for Home Depot in South Windsor, last month filed an application with the town of Windsor seeking approval to construct an 819,800-square-foot “packaging and distribution” facility at 1201 Kennedy Road and 1 Joseph Lane. The Indianapolis-based company is seeking a special use permit and site plan […]

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Pipe replacement starts early

The Hebron Elementary School Drinking Water Remediation Committee is taking advantage of schools closed by COVID-19 to get a head start on the $1.2 million lead pipe replacement project. Preliminary work was originally set to begin during April break while students were away and kick into full gear in June after students are released for […]

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Thousands of Mass. Union Members Walk Off Jobs Due to COVID-19 Fears

Thousands of members of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters refused to show up for work on April 6 at new housing and infrastructure projects across Massachusetts after a top union official issued a stay-at-home order. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 will also follow suit, with the […]

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Lamont issues new guidelines for biz to keep workplaces safe

Gov. Ned Lamont has signed another executive order that prescribe new rules for how businesses that remain open during the coronavirus pandemic should operate to keep workers safe. They range from instructions on how to keep portable bathrooms on construction sites clean to asking for social distancing in the workplace. Lamont signed the executive order […]

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With a five-week unemployment benefits backlog, here are some tips and answers on filing in Connecticut during the coronavirus pandemic.

As of April 6, 280,000 workers applied for unemployment insurance benefits, according to the state Department of Labor. The unprecedented number of claims has caused a five-week backlog in processing, meaning some people are waiting more than a month to receive funds after filing a claim. You can collect unemployment if you have been laid […]

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Social Distancing, Shelter Orders Impede Construction Bonds

The surety industry is asking federal, state and local officials to take emergency action to update decades-old surety rules requiring stamped notarizations and ink signatures that the Covid-19 pandemic has made impossible or more difficult while social distancing and shelter rules are in place. The industry seeks permission to use electronic signatures without notarization of […]

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State sees dramatic drop in traffic as residents ‘stay safe, stay home’

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and all of the attendant precautions, traffic on the state’s major roadways has dropped off precipitously, particularly on weekends. Data compiled by the State Department of Transportation show that from early March through the end of the month, traffic volume on most roads was down 40 to 50 […]

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CT maintains funds for transportation, port development, amidst pandemic

And while the State Bond Commission will consider $5 million for emergency supplies for state and municipal public health agencies, most of the $1 billion in new financing is aimed at transportation infrastructure, economic development and long overdue municipal aid. The meeting of the 10-member panel, which is chaired by Gov. Ned Lamont, will meet […]

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City Hall restoration work continues in New London

Work crews have spent the better part of two months in the century-old State Street building performing restoration and repair work. Otis Elevator is working to rehabilitate a broken elevator, while separate crews are restoring historical areas of the third and first floors. Skilled tradesmen and construction companies are exempt from the governor’s executive order […]

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South Windsor building-maker manufactures disaster-response structures

South Windsor-based ClearSpan, which makes fabric and metal buildings and structures for a variety of industries, has transitioned its manufacturing operation to produce temporary disaster structures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ClearSpan, a division of South Windsor’s Engineering Services & Products Co. (ESAPCO), said it’s shipping temporary medical facilities to governments and medical centers […]

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CT processes 33K jobless claims in week 3 of crisis

The Connecticut Department of Labor processed more than 33,000 initial claims for unemployment benefits last week, according to new federal figures Thursday, after cranking out more than 25,000 over the previous week as layoffs spiked with business closures forced by the coronavirus pandemic. This week, Gov. Ned Lamont suggested some newly unemployed workers may have […]

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Trump pushes $2 trillion infrastructure package in next coronavirus bill

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a $2 trillion infrastructure package should be part of Congress’ next response to the coronavirus pandemic, reviving a 2016 campaign pledge to ramp up construction projects despite public health guidance that Americans should stay home and isolated to the greatest extent possible. But lawmakers, for more than three years […]

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Senate GOP Leader Len Fasano not seeking re-election

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, is not seeking re-election, opening a fight to succeed him in a suburban New Haven district and as leader of the GOP minority in the Connecticut Senate. With Donald J. Trump in the White House and the Democratic base energized, Democrats won 23 of the 36 Senate seats […]

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