Audit: CT labor department failed to promptly investigate unpaid wage complaints

The state Department of Labor failed to promptly investigate hundreds of complaints from workers over unpaid wages and other workplace issues, a recent state audit found. In a response included with the audit, the labor department cited a lack of staffing as the main reason for the delays in beginning investigations. Auditors said 41 percent […]

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Stamford pitches new redesign for lower Atlantic Street after community worries over eminent domain

The redesign, presented during a July 10 public meeting, came after plans shown in 2022 stirred anxieties about the use of eminent domain to complete the project. Similar worries prompted outcry from city representatives in response to eminent domain potentially being used on a street-widening project on Washington Boulevard and Pulaski Street. The new plan […]

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CT AG Tong declines to take up GOP concerns over $145M XL Center renovation; clears way for CRDA vote

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has declined to press concerns raised by Republican legislative leaders about a public-private partnership looking to move forward with a $145 million renovation of Hartford’s downtown XL Center arena. That raises the likelihood the renovation plan will move forward. The CRDA has a tentative agreement with Los Angeles-based live entertainment […]

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Danish wind vessel dwarfs smaller ships as it docks in New London

The 459-foot-long Wind Scylla wind turbine installation vessel dwarfed smaller sailing vessels as it made its way up the Thames River Tuesday. Scylla is owned by Cadeler, a Copenhagen, Denmark-based company that has a fleet of offshore wind installation vessels and inked a long-term contract with Ørsted earlier this year for future projects. Wind Scylla […]

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Avon approves NY developer Vessel’s four-story affordable housing community

The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a four-story affordable housing development, citing both the constraints of state statute 8-30g and the vital need for affordable housing stock. The July 16 vote marks a win for New York City-based developer Vessel Technologies, who now has the green light for constructing a 64-unit apartment at 25 […]

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Manchester officials approve construction of new Main Street library, demolition of Webster Bank

Officials have further paved the way for Manchester’s new “21st century” library by approving demolition of the Webster Bank building at 1041 Main St., expected to begin later this year. After voters approved $39 million in bonds for the project in November 2022, Manchester recently approved a set of agreements to acquire three parcels totaling […]

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East Norwalk Train Station to close for 3 weeks in August for platform replacement project

In August, the East Norwalk Train Station will close for another three weeks while crews begin the process of replacing the northbound platform. The replacement of the East Norwalk Train Station is a part of CDOT’s $1 billion Walk Bridge replacement project, which includes several improvements along the rail. “The Train Station upgrades include extending […]

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CT now sitting on $4.1 billion budget reserve

With Connecticut’s rainy day fund now projected to approach $4.1 billion — seven years after it held about 1/20th of that total — calls to reassess what many call the state’s aggressive savings programs continue to grow. The most aggressive savings program, which is supposed to bar legislators from spending only “volatile” income and business […]

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East Norwalk to be transformed by Mill Pond development, train station expansion and other projects

The gateway to the neighborhood, East Avenue is a bumpy, narrow and crowded road that connects East Norwalk under the railway to I-95. In conjunction with the $1 billion Walk Bridge replacement project, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is lowering the avenue between Fort Point Street and Winfield Street. Also with the Walk Bridge, CDOT […]

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Meriden to improve East Main and Broad Street intersection near Stop & Shop

The city could begin work next year to straighten out the disjointed intersection at East Main and Broad streets that will allow for safer crossings and improved traffic flow. The work moved forward a step after the City Council recently approved allowing acting City Manager Emily Holland to accept funding from the South Central Region […]

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Westbrook Mall Developers Pitch Benefits to Skeptics

Donald Poland pitched Westbrook residents on the benefits of a project to convert the ailing local outlet mall into a complex of 695 apartments and townhouses, retail space and a 100-room hotel. Poland is a consultant for the project developers Lexington Partners and Inovalis, the owner of Westbrook Outlets. According to Poland, Westbrook saw a […]

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Southbury’s River Road set to reopen Monday after last fall’s collapse

River Road is set to reopen to traffic Monday after having been closed since this past fall after a 200-foot section collapsed into the Housatonic River below. Beginning Monday, the town plans to close Purchase Brook Road for a major culvert replacement project, making the reopening of River Road even more pressing. Voters approved the […]

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Norwich receives $4.4M to stop wastewater from flowing into its rivers

Norwich Public Utilities hopes to stop millions of gallons of rainwater-created sewage discharges from flowing into the Shetucket River after receiving a $4.4 million grant and loan. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the funding Tuesday, listing Norwich’s ongoing $200 million sewage treatment plant upgrade among the top priorities for its $500 […]

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Apartments slated for site of New London church collapse

The Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities (ECHO) group will pay $125,000 to Engaging Heaven Ministries for the 66 Union St. property, with the sale expected to be finalized on Tuesday, ECHO President Julie Savin said on Wednesday. On Jan. 25, the 173-year-old church’s iconic steeple collapsed, severely damaging the structure and prompting the emergency demolition of […]

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Revolution Wind generators arrive in New London

The first generator components, or “nacelles” for the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm arrived at State Pier in New London early Wednesday. Revolution Wind, a joint project of Eversource and Ørsted that uses State Pier as its turbine-assembly headquarters, announced in May that it had hit the first milestone along the way toward creating clean […]

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Madison Debates Referendum as Community Center Costs Rise by Nearly $4M

Since Madison residents approved converting the Academy School building into a community center via referendum in 2022, estimated costs have risen by nearly $4 million. The board is now considering holding a second referendum in early 2025 to validate or reject a budget increase. At a June 24 Board of Selectmen meeting, Colliers International, the […]

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Former West Hartford UConn campus, the potential site of hundreds of homes, set for wetlands hearing

For several years now, the buildings that made up the former University of Connecticut campus in West Hartford have stood vacant — and dilapidated by time — as new uses for the expansive property have been considered time and again by the site’s various owners. Now, with the portion of that property that served as […]

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Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach Road improvements to begin after Labor Day

Improvements and adjustments to Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach Road are slated to begin after Labor Day. Part of the road leading residents to Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach is on the Gardella family’s property, who issued a deed agreement with the city in 1922. Now, a century later, both the park and Gardella’s marine businesses are […]

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$5.4 million new firehouse in Canton nearing completion, old facility to be demolished

As Canton nears completion on constructing of a firehouse in the Collinsville section, voters recently decided to finalize the old firehouse’s demolition. Destroying the old firehouse has been planned since 2021, when residents approved the Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department’s new firehouse and associated construction in a referendum, which included razing the old facility […]

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CT contracting watchdogs asked not to talk without director’s OK

An appointee of Gov. Ned Lamont is proposing that Connecticut’s contracting watchdog panel not publicly discuss its work — which includes investigations of Executive Branch agencies — without clearing it with him. The contracting board, which grew out of the scandal that ultimately sent former Gov. John G. Rowland to federal prison, performs sensitive work. […]

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How CT plans to memorialize a historic Farmington River dam after demolishing it

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is working on a plan to demolish the now-obsolete dam and open up the river for fish passage. But project officials must contend with the historical aspects and impacts of any potential removal, which they discussed at a public information meeting in Avon on July 2. And […]

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Hamden’s High Meadows site plans show more than 200 apartments and 64 condos

Dakota Partners, Inc., Massachusetts-based developer, proposed to build 202 apartments, some of them affordable, and 68 condominiums while keeping about 22 acres of the property as open space. The state offered to sell the property to Hamden for $1.3 million. Instead of buying it, the town issued a request for proposals that carried an asking […]

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Data centers could transform local CT communities, but some officials are hesitant

Efforts to improve Connecticut’s position as a potential host for data centers appear to be stuck in neutral at the moment, despite an increased focus on artificial intelligence and how the two are intertwined. To qualify for the 20-year term of incentives, data centers must make a qualified investment in the site of $50 million […]

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Naugatuck River Greenway Trail to expand with $5.7M federal grant: ‘Transformative project’

The $5.725 million grant, from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity fund, was awarded to the Central Naugatuck Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization for planning and designing a segment of the Naugatuck River trail, according to a statement. The non-motorized, multi-use trail being developed will follow the river for 44 miles through parts of […]

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Amtrak Awards $1.3B Contract to Construct New Moveable Rail Bridge in Connecticut

Amtrak will soon begin construction of a new, $1.3 billion Connecticut River Bridge between the towns of Old Saybrook and Old Lyme following the award of a design-bid-build contract to O&G/Tutor Perini, a joint venture of two major construction firms. It will be primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), due to […]

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I-91 redevelopment brings O&G Industries, CT’s largest privately held construction firm, to Wallingford

O&G Industries, the largest privately held construction firm in Connecticut, is moving into a new 9,992-square-foot office space at 900 Northrop Road, the firm announced recently. The move comes after the state awarded O&G a major contract to carry out the reconfiguration project of I-91,1-691-and Route 15 Interchange in Meriden. O&G is the main contractor […]

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Norwalk secures $14M for bike, pedestrian improvements on MLK Drive, near SoNo train station

The efforts to revitalize South Norwalk and improve pedestrian safety continue with the city receiving $14 million from a U.S. Department of Transportation program. Norwalk’s MLK Corridor Equitable Mobility Enhancement Project is receiving $14 million to fund improvements on 2 miles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and six other roadways surrounding the South […]

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Ørsted and Eversource Partner with Connecticut State Building Trades Training Institute to Support Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program

Ørsted and Eversource, developers of Connecticut’s first offshore wind farm, Revolution Wind, and the Connecticut State Building Trades Training Institute (CSBTTI), today announced the launch of a collaborative, pre-apprenticeship training program for 15 Eastern Connecticut residents. The upcoming cohort will include 15 trainees from the New London area, where workers at the State Pier are […]

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$40M approved for next phase of New London Coast Guard museum project

A recent funding approval will keep the planned National Coast Guard Museum on track for a 2026 opening on the city’s waterfront, project officials said on Thursday. The National Coast Guard Museum Association Board of Directors on June 12 approved allotting $40 million for the next phase of construction on the 89,000-square-foot, six-story museum behind […]

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Opinion: New London at center of vital emerging American energy industry

Connecticut’s first offshore wind project, Revolution Wind, is under construction today, with the wind turbine components being staged out of New London State Pier. As the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, considers which offshore wind project should follow Revolution Wind, it should look to maximize the role that State Pier will play […]

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Failure to meet surging data center energy demand will jeopardize economic growth, utility execs warn

After a more than decade-long period of largely flat growth, electricity demand is poised to skyrocket by 2030 as the artificial intelligence revolution, the expansion of chip manufacturing, and the electrification of the vehicle fleet all coincide as the U.S. is trying to address climate change. The tech sector’s build out of data centers to […]

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Amid decarbonization efforts, New England’s energy demand expected to increase 23% over next decade

New England is responsible for 2.8% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S., Dolan said, and much of the region’s energy policy is driven by decarbonization. While alternative energy options like solar and wind have had a lot of time in the spotlight recently, Dolan emphasized the need to continue to support existing clean […]

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Deficiencies in New Milford High School’s ‘traumatic’ roof project to be fixed

Work to remediate sections of the New Milford High School roof that were insufficiently repaired is expected to be completed over the summer, starting in July, officials say. The six-year-long ordeal has included two fires, leaks and the discovery that some panels had been fastened improperly. The town and school board have been discussing their […]

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Updated plan for Gold Star Highway properties calls for 390 apartments, realigned entrance

An updated plan for the town-owned 517 & 529 Gold Star Highway properties, along with adjacent privately-owned parcels, calls for 390 apartments, housed within five, five-story buildings, and amenities that include a clubhouse and pool. The Town Council at its Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday evening approved the updated concept plan and a one-year […]

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New schools project in Norwich is $50M over budget

he school construction project will cost at least $50 million more than the $385 million approved by voters in 2022, due to increased construction and labor expenses, project officials said. According to updated estimates provided by Mike Faenz, the city’s owner’s representative from Construction Solutions, Inc., the cost of the four new elementary schools now […]

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With Norwalk High School and SoNo School under construction, Common Council authorizes $200M+

For the high school, the council approved a supplemental appropriation of $189 million to have the full $239 million project cost authorized. The council also issued $15 million in general obligation bonds as “cash on hand” for the project, according to Chief Financial Officer Jared Schmitt. The state plans to reimburse the city for 80 […]

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New Partnership Bets on Updated Mixed-Use Model for Southeastern Connecticut

Old-Lyme-based READCO announced last week that it had sold its portfolio —more than two million square feet of commercial space— to Glastonbury-based Trio Properties, which manages about 2,500 multifamily units in Connecticut and 15 other states. As part of the deal, the companies’ owners decided on a partnership to jointly manage a real estate development […]

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East Hartford park gets funding to renovate river walk and connect it to other trails in town

East Hartford has received $262,750 through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program to help address erosion and flooding issues at Great River Park on East River Drive, part of $10 million in grants announced by Gov. Ned Lamont and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection earlier this month to make improvements to 45 […]

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Lawmakers uneasy over special session bill on Aquarion sale

Without a public hearing or other vetting, the state Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a measure that would allow a New Haven-based public water authority to acquire one of the nation’s largest investor-owned water companies, Aquarion Water Company. Public authorities are outside the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, so Aquarion’s operations, […]

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Construction hasn’t started, but West Hartford luxury apartments already selling

Center Park Place, a mixed-use residential and commercial infill development to be constructed at Arapahoe and LaSalle roads and Farmington Avenue, will feature up to 58 luxury condominiums that are already listed for sale at more than $1 million. The project includes demolishing two buildings and erecting two new buildings. One of the new buildings […]

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Pratt & Whitney proposes nearly 50% increase in size of new East Hartford office building

Pratt & Whitney is proposing to increase the size of a new planned office building on its East Hartford campus by nearly 50%, with the addition of two stories, including outdoor amenities for employees and greenspace. The jet-engine maker has submitted a revised zoning application to the town, which is on the agenda for the […]

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Cleanup underway in Meriden so a 120-year old piano factory can become apartments

Environmental workers recently began clean up on the former Aeolian Organ and Music Co. factory as the first step in a $56 million housing development for 82 low and moderate-income families. The adaptive reuse project will convert a historic player piano factory at 85 Tremont St. into an apartment community and is expected to revitalize […]

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Norwich, New London, Preston seek state funding for major local projects

In grant requests submitted Friday, Norwich is seeking a total of $23.3 million in three requests, topped by the $17 million request to complete the demolition and cleanup of the partially collapsed and abandoned former Capehart Mill in Greeneville. Norwich last week received approval for a $4 million state brownfields grant to begin the massive […]

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Gold Star Bridge path to be renovated

The state Department of Transportation plans to widen the sidewalk across the southbound Gold Star Memorial Bridge between Groton and New London so it is safer and easier to access for pedestrians and bicyclists. Tracey Brais, project manager with the DOT, told a room of more than 30 people in New London City Hall’s Council […]

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Norwalk signs off officially on $47M in renovations at Jefferson School amid a wave of construction

The school district unveiled the $47 million project two years ago with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but documents now reflect the renovate-as-new project is officially complete, according to Nick Dua, communications and marketing director for Norwalk Public Schools. “The site was modified to improve the arrivals and drop-off at the school with a new separate bus […]

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Public invited to weigh in on Gold Star Memorial Bridge sidewalk proposal

The public is invited to comment Monday on a state plan to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to the Gold Star Memorial Bridge. The state Department of Transportation will host a presentation and question-and-answer session at 7 p.m. at New London City Hall, 181 State St., related to planned improvements to the Interstate 95 southbound […]

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Norwich Public Utilities making major improvements to its drinking water system

Norwich Public Utilities is taking advantage of unprecedented increases in federal grant support to launch several water system improvement projects. These including upgrading water tanks, installing a major water line and locating any remaining lead lines to customer homes. The utility needed City Council approval Monday to increase financing for two projects and add a […]

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Eastern Co. building razed for restaurant, urgent care facility

Demolition began Monday of a nearly century-old structure, the former Eastern Company building, to make way for new businesses including a Chipotle Restaurant. The Zoning Commission in April 2023 approved the site permit application for the applicant, Berlin RE Development of Farmington, for a proposed Chipotle restaurant and retail store at the former headquarters of […]

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CT diesel tax to jump 3 cents after yearlong freeze

Connecticut’s trucking industry will face a small tax hike next month when the state tax on diesel fuel rises slightly more than 3 cents per gallon. The diesel tax and highway mileage fee each represent a relatively modest share of the state budget’s Special Transportation Fund, which covers operating costs for the Departments of Transportation […]

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Developers Pitch 444-Apartment Project in Milford as Alternative to Affordable Housing

Wheelers Farm Partners and Greenview Equities have asked the city to change the zoning of a five-building, 47-acre complex at 470-488 Wheelers Farm Road to allow the addition of 444 apartments and some commercial or retail uses, according to their 85-page proposal. The hook for both sides might be a first in Milford: a compromise […]

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With $2M brownfields grant and new ownership, former Stanadyne campus in Windsor looks for new life

A $2 million brownfields grant was awarded June 14 by the state Department of Economic and Community Development for remediation work at the former Stanadyne plant at 90-92 Deerfield Road. Another $200,000 was awarded to conduct an environmental assessment study of a neighboring property, which will collectively become part of a new Connecticut River Business […]

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New Britain housing redevelopment wins zoning approval for 850 KW solar array

The 154-unit affordable housing conversion of a former factory building in New Britain got a boost from the city last week with municipal officials unanimously supporting a zoning change to allow a solar energy array on the property. New Britain’s Common Council last week voted to allow developers to construct a solar facility at 321 […]

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New $112M Greenwich Central Middle School finally gets planning OK — but it wasn’t unanimous

The $112 million project was given the go-ahead by the commission, with one dissenting vote, Tuesday night following a final presentation by the Central Middle School Building Committee. CMS principal Tom Healy told the commission, “we’re proud of what we have in front of you.” He said the “collaborative effort” behind the project was impressive. […]

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Steelpointe Harbor Developer Inks Deal To Build Residence Inn By Marriott

A Residence Inn by Marriott is scheduled to commence construction in 2025, according to a news release issued by Bobby Christoph Jr. developer of the mixed-use Steelpointe Harbor which has started work on the first phase of housing including luxury and workforce apartments. True North Hotel Group Inc. and Bridgeport Landing Development have finalized a […]

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Lamont responds to delay in congestion pricing: ‘Look, you’ve got to pay for transportation’

Gov. Ned Lamont appeared skeptical this week of a decision by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to halt the rollout of a congestion pricing plan that would have funded mass transit improvements throughout the tri-state area. The plan, which would have charged most drivers $15 a day to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, was expected […]

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Great Wolf Lodge ‘topped out’; opening set for June 15, 2025

A Great Wolf Resorts executive announced Wednesday the $300 million waterpark resort the company’s been developing next to Foxwoods Resort Casino will open June 15, 2025. The good-natured exchange, which took place during remarks that preceded a traditional “topping out” ceremony on the construction site opposite Foxwoods’ Grand Pequot Tower, spoke volumes about Great Wolf’s […]

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It took 3 votes, but Hartford City Council OKs CCMC pedestrian bridge

After defeating an amendment and a motion to postpone the vote, the Hartford City Council passed a resolution Monday night granting air rights for a pedestrian bridge over Washington Street. The resolution, which was approved along party lines, allows Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) to construct a bridge connecting the $280 million, eight-story wing of […]

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With major projects in the queue, Enfield could finally find its economic development ‘stride’

Four major projects would bring a combination of housing, recreation and mass transit to the town of about 42,000 residents, while repurposing properties whose uses are becoming obsolete. The proposed $250 million Enfield Square Mall redevelopment is the largest planned project with the greatest potential economic impact, said Donald Poland, senior vice president of urban […]

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These 7 major road construction projects across CT could affect travel this summer

As of Monday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation was engaged in 180 construction projects in all corners of the state, according to an online database that is updated regularly by the agency. Hundreds of other projects are in the design phase prior to construction. Much of that work is being fueled by Congress’ Bipartisan Infrastructure […]

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I-95 in CT is among America’s most congested roads. Here’s why there’s no ‘easy solution.’

Highway-closing accidents are nothing new on the I-95 corridor between Greenwich and New Haven, a 48-mile stretch of interstate built in the late 1950s and designed to handle less than half of today’s daily volume of about 150,000 vehicles. The 2023 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard ranked the southbound portion of the Stamford urban area – […]

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$500 million of work begins at one of CT’s worst interchanges: ‘Everyone hates driving through here’

Located roughly near the geographic center of the state, the merger of three highways — Interstates 91 and 691, as well as state Route 15 — forms a sprawling interchange that carries an average of 260,000 vehicles every day. Tuesday’s groundbreaking was largely ceremonial, as work on the $500 million reconstruction project actually began late […]

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Lamont celebrates highway project amid industry frustration

Lamont and Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto of DOT hosted a groundbreaking marking the second phase of a three-phase plan for traffic mitigation and safety measures on the I-91, I-691 and Route 15 interchange in Meriden. The first two phases cost $135 million in state funding and $200 million in federal funds from President Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure […]

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New Britain’s 12-Year-Long Downtown Revitalization Project Nears Completion

Twelve years after New Britain launched an eight-phase program to beautify downtown, improve pedestrian and bike access and encourage business growth, the Public Works Department will complete the final part of the project this week. The Complete Streets project, the bulk of which covers about four miles of downtown, has attracted over $250 million in […]

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Bond Commission Approves $74 Million For Flood Mitigation, Affordable Housing, Other Projects

Within a total of about $857 million in new borrowing approved on Friday, the State Bond Commission voted to approve $74 million for its Community Investment Fund last week, including major allocations for affordable housing and other issues. The Community Investment Fund 2030 – which is part of the larger bond allocations for the fiscal […]

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Norwalk launches $25 million revitalization of Wall Street area: ‘Redesign an entire downtown’

The revitalization of Norwalk’s Wall Street area has been a community goal since a flood in 1955 devastated the area. Now the city is undertaking $25 million in grant-funded projects to revive it. So far, Norwalk has been allocated $18 million in state and federal grants to redesign the streets, expand the sidewalks, add more […]

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Norwalk secures over $9 million in state bond funds to support housing, education, traffic safety

The city is receiving $9 million in state bond funds, including more than $6.4 million from the state Community Investment Fund, that will aid two redevelopment projects in South Norwalk. A total of $3.4 million is allocated to the redevelopment of Meadow Gardens. Under the authority of the Norwalk Housing Authority and in partnership with […]

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Two proposed Norwich elementary schools receive wetlands approvals

The first two new elementary schools in a $385 million school construction project received their first local permit approvals Thursday, with plans showing how the two schools would be situated on their properties. The Inland Wetlands, Watercourses and Conservation Commission approved wetlands applications for the proposed new Greeneville and John B. Stanton elementary schools. Both […]

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State approves millions in funding for local projects such as Montville animal shelter

The commission approved $2 million for Montville to build a new animal control facility to replace the current one at 225 Maple Ave., which for years has failed to meet state Department of Agriculture regulations. The new shelter, which will be built in the same location, at the town’s public works department, is expected to […]

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After bargain acquisition, owners breathing new life into long-neglected Windsor industrial/office complex; major warehouse expansion planned

Terrio has been the property manager for the site, which includes both office and industrial space, for 31 years, long enough to have worked for all four previous landlords. A quick tour of the complex in mid-May, however, demonstrated that things are different this time, with Terrio expressing his satisfaction with the newest owners: Bradford […]

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Moody’s downgrades water utility’s credit rating, citing weakening finances, debt

Moody’s Ratings has downgraded Aquarion Water Co.’s credit rating one notch, placing it into a higher-risk category. In late May, Moody’s lowered the water utility’s credit rating from A3 to Baa1, noting its low overall business risk, with a weakening financial profile. The credit rating agency said that Aquarion’s rating change reflected increased risk from […]

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DOT Aims to Curb Work Zone Speeding with Expanded Camera Program

From April to December 2023, DOT officials piloted a work zone camera program at three different sites, issuing 24,900 warning citations for speeding. With the threat of a $75 fine for repeat offenses, most drivers complied with speed limits, officials said, resulting in fewer than 750 second-offense violations. The DOT, led by Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, […]

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The country’s first utility-run geothermal heating and cooling system launches in Framingham

The Framingham system consists of a giant underground loop filled with water and antifreeze, similar to the way gas is delivered to several houses in a neighborhood. Water in the loop absorbs heat from underground, which remains at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Households have their own heat pump units that provide heating and […]

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Mixed-use apartment project breaks ground in Windsor

The Residences at Bowfield Green mixed-use development in downtown Windsor is set to take shape as town officials and members of the development team broke ground on the project Monday. The development by Sachdev Real Estate Development Group and property owner Dr. Mohan Sachdev, priced at more than $20 million, will feature a residential and […]

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Stamford Mill Road bridge closed after steel beams found with ‘severe deterioration,’ report reveals

A small Stamford bridge on Mill Road that was closed down last week was in “critical condition,” with “significant cracking” of the pavement and “severe deterioration” of the steel beams underneath, a construction report states. The condition of the bridge, which is on Mill Road just east of the intersection with Old Long Ridge Road […]

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Naugatuck Valley Greenway among 45 projects statewide

The governor’s office and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Monday announced the release of a series of grants totaling $10 million to finance the planning, building, expansion, and improvement of 45 multiuse trails located in towns and cities throughout Connecticut. The funding is being provided through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant […]

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Naugatuck’s Rubber Avenue project likely bonded

The State Bond Commission is expected at its meeting Friday to approve nearly $6 million to the borough of Naugatuck to support the revitalization of the Rubber Avenue corridor. In late April, state legislators representing Naugatuck and Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess celebrated the approval of a $5,754,493 grant for the project through Community Investment […]

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Danbury allows rehab hospital to cut back on parking as trees are cleared for project on west side

As workers began clearing trees this week to make room for a rehabilitation hospital on one of the last construction sites in the village-size neighborhood known as the Reserve, the city of Danbury gave a parking break to the inpatient facility to prevent “a field of empty asphalt.” During a public hearing Tuesday, Lichtenauer referred […]

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Norwich Public Utilities sewage treatment project to receive loan from Electric Division

For the second straight year, the NPU Sewer Division has received approval for a $15.5 million short-term line of credit from the NPU Electric Division to help cover costs of the ongoing work to build a new sewage treatment plant on Hollyhock Island near Norwich Harbor. The Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, which doubles as […]

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Middletown leaders want CT DOT to suspend plans to remove Route 9 traffic lights

City officials sent a strong message to the state Department of Transportation Thursday, asking them to halt their $143 million plan to remove two traffic lights on Route 9, spurred on by significant issues raised by people opposed to the latest design. Council President Gene Nocera has acknowledged that local legislators have no authority over […]

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Here are some of the projects CT plans to spend $856 million on, if approved

Connecticut officials will meet this week to consider approval of more than $856 million for projects that range from complex and costly bridge replacements to installing toilets at state parks. The decision of whether to fund those capital improvements is up to the State Bond Commission, a 10-member body chaired by Gov. Ned Lamont. The […]

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Bridgeport self-storage facility at former North End Stop & Shop gets court-ordered zoning OK

Scott first sought the necessary zoning approval a year-and-a-half ago. Some residents, activists and elected officials, including Mayor Joe Ganim during his re-election campaign, publicly opposed the project and the appointed zoning commission rejected the application last June in a 4-2 vote. Scott sued in state Superior Court and won in March. The presiding judge, […]

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Torrington receives $1.6 million grant to rebuild sewer pumping station: To ‘protect environment’

The sewer plant’s hardest-working pumping station on Harris Drive, which was built in 1979, draws from seven smaller stations in the northern area of Torrington, feeding to the main plant off South Main Street. “We’ve had up to 18 inches of water outside, and more than that in here,” sewer plant administrator Ed Tousey said. […]

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Gov. Lamont vetoes first bill of year, rejecting proposal doubling cap on bidding

Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed his first bill from this year’s legislative session on Wednesday, sending back to lawmakers a proposal that would have doubled the cap on municipal contracts exempt from competitive bidding practices. The legislation, Senate Bill 226, proposed raising the minimum threshold for competitive bidding on all municipal contracts from $25,000 to $50,000 […]

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Fitch gives A+ rating to pending $669M Yale New Haven Health bond issuance; $333M will be used for capital spending

Fitch Ratings said Tuesday it has assigned A+ ratings to $669 million in bonds that will be issued on behalf of Yale New Haven Health (YNHH). Proceeds from the bond issuance are expected to be used to refund the health system’s existing debt, as well as to provide approximately $333 million to support Yale New […]

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Historic New Haven mill site approved for major apartment redevelopment goes up for sale

Earlier this month, a 1.8-acre property — which has approvals in place for a multifamily redevelopment — was listed for sale. The parcel at 446A Blake St. has been approved for 144 residential units to be completed over three phases. Phase one is a ground-up development of a new five-story, 55-unit apartment building. Phase two […]

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Linear trail intersections under safety review in Southington, new trail segment to open this summer

The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail’s intersections with local roads previously drew concern in 2021, after a pedestrian was struck and seriously injured in the trail crosswalk on West Main Street in Plantsville center. While there were bright yellow signs warning motorists to yield for pedestrians, town officials looked to increase pedestrian and motorist safety along […]

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Darn that CT traffic jam: These major projects, traffic shifts will add to backups this summer

One that’s nearing completion is the interchange of Interstate 84 and Route 8 in Waterbury, known as “The Mixmaster,” which is composed of a stack of bridges. “We’re finally going to be finished with that project by the end of October,” Morgan said. “What’s going to be happening over the next five months or so […]

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Middletown Residents Push Back on $143M Route 9 Revamp

Residents are urging the Common Council to request a delay from the state Department of Transportation on removing Route 9 traffic signals, citing negative economic and environmental impacts. During a presentation to residents on April 30, DOT project manager Stephen Hall told residents that the traffic lights were causing a “significantly higher” number of traffic […]

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Ex-CT Deputy Budget Director Diamantis linked to bribery scheme years after Torrington courthouse project

Diamantis, 67, is accused by the FBI of extorting private contractors into paying him thousands of dollars in bribes as the director of the state’s Office of School Construction Grants and Review. A lawyer and former state representative, Diamantis posted a $500,000 bond following his arrest on 22 charges, including extortion, bribery, conspiracy and making […]

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Pawcatuck theater developer proposes expansion of $80M project

In a new application to the Planning and Zoning Commission, READCO of Old Lyme and its development partner TRIO have proposed a revision of the master plan for the former Hoyt’s/Regal Cinema property on Route 2. READCO plans to expand its Pawcatuck theater redevelopment project by adding six adjacent properties, 108 more apartments and demolishing […]

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Apartment project near Dunkin’ Park clears key hurdle, will bring 269 units to CT’s capital city

Funding secured, developer Randy Salvatore is moving ahead with plans to build a new mixed-use complex on the edge of downtown Hartford, confident that the demand for rental apartments in the capital city remains strong. A financing package to redevelop the former RPI campus near Dunkin’ Park won key approval on Wednesday, and work has […]

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Fairfield to close part of Riverside Drive as crews rebuild culverts, tide gates to limit floods

Part of Riverside Drive will shut down for more than a year in the coming months as construction crews rebuild coastal infrastructure that keeps floodwaters in check. Fairfield Engineering Manager Bill Hurley said the town will launch a more than $5.5 million project this summer to replace the tide gates and pipes that channel water […]

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Eversource upgrades gas lines on Danbury’s Main Street, with repaving work planned for July

The utility provider is working closely with the city of Danbury and the Connecticut Department of Transportation on the project, “and our work will be complete in June to meet DOT’s schedule for their planned work along Main Street,” Ratliff said. Then DOT will take over the project. Iadarola said that under the current schedule […]

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When will Stamford’s Cedar Heights Road bridge be done? 12 months late, officials say.

A project to replace the bridge on Cedar Heights Road is now expected to be finished in November — a year later than initially scheduled. City Engineer Lou Casolo has said that the contractor for the “extremely complex” project, A. Vitti Excavators, has needed to submit plans for handling the flow of the Rippowam River, […]

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Ørsted-Eversource Partnership Announces Cancellation of Agreement for Charybdis (Updated)

The Offshore Wind Venture partnering Ørsted and Eversource told CT Examiner on Wednesday that the companies had canceled an agreement with Dominion Energy to use the as-yet-unbuilt Charybdis to install turbines off East Coast of the United States. The planned 472-foot vessel would be the first Jones Act compliant vessel for installing offshore turbines, clearing […]

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Meriden receives $975,000 in EPA funds to clean up Church and Morse site downtown

The city will receive $975,240 in federal funding to clean a brownfield and foundation rubble at the former Church and Morse building, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week. Funding for the Brownfield Cleanup Grant come from the bipartisan infrastructure law and will be used to cleanup the 0.33-acre vacant parcel. The site was […]

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