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Connecticut once charged drivers to use its highways. Why the tolls ended
A group of residents charged with studying the property tax system in Connecticut recently revived the idea of bringing tolls back to highways within the state. The Connecticut Citizens’ Assembly recommended the return of tolls, arguing that the money could be used to fund certain transportation expenses, which would then allow the state to direct other revenue toward property tax relief. But the group acknowledged that the proposal has hurdles on both the state and federal level. Tolls were once a common sight on some of the state’s highways. Here’s what happened.
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/why-connecticut-ended-highway-tolls-22517034.php
DOT Route 25 roadwork in Trumbull expected to reduce multiple lanes of traffic
TRUMBULL — The state’s transportation agency is working on a project that would, in part, reduce one lane in both directions of travel on Route 25 in Trumbull. The work will take place between the intersection of Route 111 and the Twin Brooks Pequonnock Trail overpass, according to the state Department of Transportation, which says the project spans about 3.7 miles along Route 25. Construction will also include pavement improvement, the DOT said, and full-depth roadway reconstruction on Route 25, as well as milling and overlaying on all ramps at Exit 6. The goal is to improve roadside safety, according to the DOT. Short-term off-peak detour routes will be implemented should ramps need to be closed for construction activities, according to the DOT. The schedule estimates design will be complete in summer 2030, with construction anticipated to start that fall. Progress depends on the project being accepted, availability of funding, and receipt of any required right-of-way and environmental permits, the DOT said. Work will be undertaken with 80% federal and 20% state funds.
CTDOT looking for ways to improve safety and commuter traffic on I-95. Here’s some options
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is researching ways to make travel through the Interstate 95 corridor between Fairfield and Bridgeport easier. At the I-95 Fairfield and Bridgeport Mobility Study open house last month hosted by the CTDOT, experts discussed options and presented ideas to improve safety, mobility, operations and multimodal needs. Some concepts discussed include massive projects, such as a potential tunnel on I-95. “We wanted to leave really no stone unturned when we’re developing concepts like this. And that means exploring really transformational ideas like putting portions of I-95 underground in a tunnel or lowering and covering sections of the highway,” said JJ Samus, executive vice president of transportation at GM2, a construction management company. “Beyond improving transportation, ideas like this can really help reconnect communities. It can help strengthen local roadway networks and also potentially create opportunities for economic development,” Samus added. “But solving these problems and all the challenges on the corridor don’t always need to be transformational to make a huge difference.”
As arena construction continues, Mohegan Sun announces $22M hotel renovation
Mohegan — Mohegan Sun announced plans for a $22 million renovation of its Earth Tower hotel as the casino shared more details Thursday on its multiphase arena transformation. Mohegan Sun said it intends to start renovations on the 13-story, 400-room hotel next summer. Additional details on the project were not immediately available. The Earth Tower hotel first opened in 2016. In an update Thursday, the casino said its overhaul of Mohegan Sun Arena is moving forward with a $30 million price tag. When Mohegan Sun broke ground on the project in August, estimated costs were $25 million. “We’re really excited for this next chapter of Mohegan Sun Arena,” Joe Soper, Mohegan’s vice president of sports and entertainment, said in a statement. “The goal is simple: to create a more immersive, comfortable and thrilling venue for fans as well as our artists and promoters.” Although the arena will remain open for the first phase of construction, Mohegan Sun said the arena will close from Dec. 15 through Feb. 28. When the space reopens, guests can expect new seating, concessions, lighting, finishes, flooring and digital displays, as well as bathroom and elevator upgrades.
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to invest $650 million in new Groton manufacturing center
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will build a “Manufacturing Technology Center” at its research-and-development campus in Groton, a project that will involve a $650 million capital investment in the next five years, Pfizer and economic development officials announced Thursday. The approximately 220,000-square-foot facility will “produce clinical active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products that support Pfizer-sponsored clinical trials around the world,” according to a news release issued by the economic-development nonprofit AdvanceCT. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027, with the goal of “operational startup” in mid-2031. “Pfizer has a long and proud history of scientific innovation in Groton, where many of the discoveries that advance our pipeline begin,” Raja Mangipudy, Pfizer’s Groton site head, said in a written statement included in the news release. “Building on that legacy, the new Manufacturing Technology Center will advance our ability to support clinical research and the development of new medicines for patients around the world.”
Midterms cloud outlook for data center construction, transportation bill
The results of the midterm elections mean more scrutiny on the data center boom and a probable delay to a long-awaited federal transportation bill, industry sources say. A blue wave launched Democrats to successfully flip control of both the House and the Senate on Tuesday night. Analysts called it a “rebuke” of President Donald Trump’s agenda. Democrats, in particular, pushed for data center moratoriums at the state level, said Daniel Fisher, senior vice president of government and external affairs at the Associated Equipment Distributors trade group. He anticipates projects hitting more hurdles now due to voters embracing that push. “I’d expect many planned data center projects to be put off or delayed,” Fisher told Construction Dive. Still, Fisher said those changes minimally impact total demand for data center construction. “However, at the end of the day, Democrats and Republicans must recognize the economic impact of data center construction and associated energy projects, and the importance to the country’s ability to compete in the global AI race,” Fisher said.
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/midterms-data-center-construction-transportation-bill/873844/
Regulators approve up to $1.15B in new borrowing for Eversource as interest costs climb
State utility regulators on Wednesday approved Eversource’s request to borrow up to $1.15 billion for its Connecticut electric utility through the end of 2027, at a time when rising interest rates are driving up what the company pays to borrow. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s decision allows Connecticut Light and Power Co., which does business as Eversource, to issue bonds or unsecured notes, in one or more batches, with maturities of one to 30 years. Eversource plans to use the money for capital projects and to pay off $500 million in bonds that come due in March 2027, according to its application. Those bonds carry a 3.2% interest rate. The replacement debt will cost more. As of late September, Eversource estimated that a new 10-year bond would carry a rate of about 5.98%. That was up from 5.15% when the company prepared its application, as Treasury yields climbed. Eversource expects to spend $2 billion on capital projects in Connecticut in 2026 and 2027. It plans to cover that spending and the maturing bonds with about $1 billion in cash from operations, the new long-term debt and $350 million in short-term borrowing, according to the application.
Norwich considers next move after voters again reject police station project
Norwich — The city is planning its next move after voters on Tuesday narrowly rejected a $55 million plan to create a new police headquarters. The city had proposed to renovate the former Chelsea Groton Bank building at 300 Main St. but voters rejected then plan 4,838-4,607. Residents here have now rejected a plan for a new police station on three occasions, in 2012, 2023 and 2026. The cost of the project increased with each vote, going from $33 million in 2012 to $44 million in 2023, and then $55 million on Tuesday. The difference this time is the city purchased the bank in 2024 for $800,000 with plans to renovate and expand it into a police station. Police Chief Patrick Daley said Wednesday afternoon that while the plan is to put the new headquarters in the bank building, the city would consider its options. “It was a very close vote, I think one percent or so difference,” he said. “But that’s the second time we’ve been within one percent. So, obviously we need to look at our messaging and see where we came up short. The need’s real. It’s not going away. And prices aren’t going to get cheaper. So, we have to look at what we can do differently.”
Data center pauses are spreading in Connecticut. A statewide moratorium could be next
Several communities have already paused or stopped approving data centers, but a proposal is heading to the General Assembly this session that could create a statewide moratorium. The proposal from state Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, is still taking shape, but he said there is “a tremendous amount of concern by residents of the state about these new AI data centers.” Duff said lawmakers should use the 2027 legislative session to examine the facilities’ effects on electricity, water, infrastructure costs and noise, then decide what rules should apply. “I think at this point we would start probably with a moratorium on all data centers,” Duff said in an interview with CT Insider. “We just need to contemplate all of those things in the legislative session and come up with rules of the road or not.” House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said he believed a proposal for a full moratorium is “politically motivated,” though he said statewide data center regulation could have bipartisan support.
https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/connecticut-data-center-moratorium-22494772.php
Enfield approves $511M school plan as Southington rejects $86.7M project, unofficial results show
Voters in Southington rejected an $86.7 million school construction proposal on Tuesday’s general election ballot, while Enfield voters approved a $511 million school project, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of the State’s website. “The approval of the building project referendum demonstrates a shared community belief and commitment to providing our students with safe, modern and engaging learning environments that will serve them well into the future,” Enfield school Superintendent Steven Moccio told CT Insider on Wednesday morning. “This approval is more than a facilities project; it is an investment in our students, our staff, and the long-term strength of the Enfield community,” he said. Enfield’s school referendum received 4,338 yes votes and 4,049 no votes, according to unofficial results from the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s Office. The district is expected to consolidate from six elementary schools into four, closing Enfield Street School and converting Eli Whitney into Eagle Academy.
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