A new quasi-public state agency armed with $90 million to promote high-density housing in Connecticut downtowns and near mass transit is poised to sign off on its first low-interest loan agreement with a developer this week. The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority’s Board of Directors is scheduled to vote Thursday on a $9.36 million, 3% loan to support a $53 million redevelopment of a 3.8-acre portion of the former Bigelow-Sanford carpet mill site in Enfield’s Thompsonville neighborhood. The project, led by Avon-based Honeycomb Real Estate Partners and Windsor-based Grava Properties, will deliver 156 apartment units adjacent to the Connecticut River and near the planned Hartford Line passenger rail station. “The most important thing about telling the story about our first project is it’s now going to be real for a lot of folks and we want to make sure that they know how to get to us if they have a project that aligns with our mission,” said CMDA Executive Director David Kooris, who has spent the past 18 months establishing the agency, enrolling municipalities, and creating a framework for developer partnerships. So far, 43 communities have agreed to take part, 14 of which have finalized development districts in which the CMDA can help with planning, infrastructure and developer financing. Kooris anticipates a “cluster” of additional projects coming before the board in the next two months, with each ultimately requiring state Bond Commission authorization.

https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/new-agency-with-90m-to-support-high-density-housing-in-downtowns-and-near-mass-transit-poised-to-make-first-loan-to-developer/

Stonington — Construction continued on the Mystic River Boathouse Park on Wednesday as workers installed docking along the Mystic River and roofing on top of the building. The $5.3 million project, located next to the new Delamar hotel and across the street from the former Rossie Mill, will feature a boathouse, a rowing center and a park. The Hart Perry Boathouse will feature two bays to store rowing shells, oars, coach boats and equipment, while the second floor will house a 4,500-square-foot training Jim Dietz Rowing Center with rowing machines and strength training equipment. Located off Route 27, the park will offer the public scenic views of and non-motorized boating access to the Mystic River. The facilities will be used by the Stonington High School rowing program and the public through Stonington Community Rowing Inc. The park will provide public shoreline access to the community and space for educational programs by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and Mystic Aquarium. Residents initially approved $2.2 million in bonding for the project in 2016. The project was then delayed by the need to identify and address contamination on the site, preserve a home on the property that is part of a historic district and redesign the boathouse after residents criticized its initial appearance. The project broke ground and construction began in July 2025 and is expected to be completed in May of this year.

https://theday.com/news/868953/final-stages-of-construction-at-mystic-river-boathouse-park/

Killingly — Opponents of a plan to construct a 1.37 million-square-foot warehouse on undeveloped woodlands in the town’s business park are encouraging residents to join the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission on a site walk of the property on Friday. Ryan Companies U.S. Inc.’s proposal, known as Project Husky, would transform 246 acres of woods and wetlands into a massive new distribution center. As the project sits within the confines of the town’s business park zoning district, the proposal only needs to pass a site plan review to move forward with the Planning and Zoning Commission. Under state law, commissioners can only modify or deny site plans that fail to comply with the town’s zoning regulations. If all conditions are met, the site plan must pass. However, unlike the Planning and Zoning Commission application, Ryan Companies’ application with the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission requires a public hearing. Residents are jumping on the opportunity to provide input and Project Husky opponents are urging like-minded community members to attend a site walk at 9 a.m. on Friday at 228 Westcott Road. The proposed construction site sits within a larger 556-acre stretch of land between Interstate 395, Westcott Road and Mashentuck Road, including the Markover Hunting Preserve. Employees and tractor-trailers would access the warehouse via two driveways on Westcott Road.

https://theday.com/news/869007/opposition-builds-against-proposed-warehouses-in-killingly/

A large offshore wind project off the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island that was repeatedly stopped by the Trump administration came online Friday evening, sending clean energy to New England’s power grid. The project, known as Revolution Wind, is nearing the end of construction and will ultimately generate up to 704 megawatts of electricity — the equivalent of powering 350,000 homes. That’s about 2.5% of New England’s electric supply. Construction on Revolution Wind is expected to be completed later this year. “This project is key to diversifying our energy supply and lowering utility costs for families and businesses,” said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont in a statement. “Today’s milestone marks an important step forward for Rhode Island’s energy future,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. “Offshore wind is part of our state[s’] all-of-the-above energy strategy,” he said. The wind farm is expected to lower electricity costs throughout New England. The region has some of the highest electricity prices in the country. It’s also expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lessen the risk of blackouts during winter and other periods of high demand. “Today is good news for Connecticut and the region’s ratepayers, who will save hundreds of millions of dollars a year on their electricity bills thanks to Connecticut and Rhode Island’s efforts to bring Revolution Wind online,” said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Commissioner Katie Dykes in a statement. “As we’ve seen from the harsh winter we’ve had, and the impacts to fossil fuel prices as a result of the Iran war, having diverse sources of stable, reliable power that both perform strongly in the winter and are insulated from geopolitical events is beneficial to Connecticut ratepayers,” she said.

https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-03-13/revolution-wind-comes-online-new-england-power-grid

Get ready for a detour. A project that will require the nighttime closure of the ramp that takes traffic from Interstate 84 eastbound at Exit 51 to Interstate 91 northbound will start on Monday, March 23, according to the the state Department of Transportation. The project requiring this bridge rehabilitation closure includes bridge deck repairs, parapet improvements, joint removal, substructure repairs and paving, according to the DOT. The ramp will be closed to all traffic from 9 p.m. each weeknight to 6 a.m. the next day from Monday, March 23 to May 29, according to the DOT. This will occur nightly, Monday through Friday. Stage construction is anticipated for the duration of the project, including shifting traffic for installation of temporary barrier along Exit 51, according to the DOT. Traffic will be detoured so watch for signage. The transportation agency notes that the “primary purpose” of the project is to address “operational, safety and preventative maintenance concerns as well as to evaluate and if necessary, improve the structural integrity of the bridge to a ‘state of good repair’ extending its useful service life.” The agency also noted the project was awarded to Rotha Contracting Company, Inc. at a cost of $5,586,864.17 in December 2025, and that it is expected to be completed Nov. 30, 2026. It is administered by the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Construction, District 1 in Rocky Hill.

https://www.courant.com/2026/03/16/interstate-84-ramp-at-major-ct-interchange-set-for-nighttime-closure-for-weeks-heres-why/

Stamford-based equipment rental company United Rentals said it has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered digital assistant designed to help customers identify equipment for construction and industrial projects. The tool, called Equipment Agent, allows users to describe project needs in plain language and receive recommendations for equipment rentals. The system can also compare equipment types and provide specifications such as capacity, reach, terrain limits and required accessories. The company said the assistant connects users to product pages on its website where equipment can be reserved. In late December, United Rentals also announced its launch of a Manual Assist AI web application to deliver diagnostics and immediate access to equipment manufacturer manuals to its service teams. The moves come as more companies integrate AI tools directly into their products and services. Earlier this month, Norwalk-based financial data and analytics firm FactSet created a chief AI officer position to oversee the expansion of artificial intelligence across its software platform and client offerings. United Rentals said the Equipment Agent draws on customer inquiries and internal equipment expertise. The company operates more than 1,600 rental locations in North America and serves construction, industrial and municipal customers.

https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/united-rentals-expands-use-of-customer-ai-tools-as-companies-continue-to-embrace-growing-technology/

GREENWICH — Construction of a new North Street Bridge is beginning this month, potentially closing the road entirely all summer, according to the Greenwich Department of Public Works. The $4.52 million project to replace the century-old bridge over West Brothers Brook aims to improve long-term safety and reliability for motorists, officials say. Planning for the bridge replacement has been significantly changed in recent years due in large part to public outcry about closing the road entirely for an extended period of time. DPW originally projected that the replacement would take between 18 and 24 months while the bridge was open to alternating one-way traffic. However, local officials presented a plan that lessened the construction time, but called for a complete closure, which was ultimately chosen. In order to complete major phases of construction, North Street will be fully closed between June 8 and Aug. 28, for a maximum of 81 consecutive days.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/ct-greenwich-north-street-bridge-replacement-22075386.php

Groton — Officials are looking for ways to fund the city’s other projects after the state did not approve a partial reimbursement of money the city has spent on cost overruns for the Shore Avenue Seawall replacement project. Jim Watson, spokesperson for the state Department of Economic and Community Development, confirmed Groton’s application for funding was not recommended for a state Community Investment Fund grant. The grants are intended to “foster economic development in historically underserved communities across the state,” according to CIF’s website. City Mayor Jill Rusk said the city requested $3 million for the reconstruction and upgrade of the seawall. The town had applied on behalf of the city. She said the city will continue to seek state and federal funding and grant options for other capital improvement program projects, which in turn will help offset the money spent on the seawall.

https://theday.com/news/857184/officials-look-for-funding-for-other-projects-after-groton-seawall-grant-application-denied/

SOUTHINGTON — Construction is set to begin at the end of this month for water main replacements on Berlin Street and Lacey Road. Superintendent of Water Works Douglas Arndt said the construction project began last fall and is expected to resume March 30, concluding in late May. But there is a chance it could continue longer. Ludlow Construction Co., Inc. is doing the work. Work hours will be between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. “We understand that construction work can be disruptive and that many of you have already experienced noise, traffic changes and temporary inconveniences during earlier phases of this project,” he said. “We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure improvement moves forward.” Arndt said the $2.5 million project will include $300,000 from the water department to cover repaving costs. The water department is operated separately from the town. The remaining $2.2 million will come from the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

https://www.bristolpress.com/news/construction-set-for-water-main-replacements/article_d024d1c8-2676-4127-915e-15e33112840a.html

A Connecticut judge on Thursday allowed the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to continue its review of a controversial gas expansion project in Brookfield, while leaving the door open for opponents to appeal the agency’s final decision. The decision by New Britain Superior Court Judge Matthew Budzik dismissed a lawsuit brought by town officials and the environmental group Save the Sound earlier this year. That lawsuit objected to a decision by DEEP that denied the groups’ efforts to intervene against a proposed expansion of the Iroquois Gas Transmission System. The project involves the addition of two gas-fired compressors to an existing compressor station in Brookfield, which would allow Iroquois to push an additional 125 million cubic feet of gas each day through its regional pipeline to New York City. Pipeline officials say that some of that gas may also be delivered locally in Connecticut. The $272 million project has already received approval from regulators in New York and Washington, D.C. The final step in the approval process is DEEP’s consideration of air quality permits for the two new compressors. Last summer, the agency issued draft permits indicating its tentative support for the project.

https://ctmirror.org/2026/03/12/judge-allows-deep-ruling-iroquois-pipeline-project/