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/

Nearly $63 million in state funding has been approved for 38 community development projects across Connecticut, supporting initiatives ranging from affordable housing and workforce training to park upgrades and health care facilities. The funding was approved Tuesday by the board that oversees the state’s Community Investment Fund 2030 program. Approved by state lawmakers in 2021, the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board has a mandate to distribute up to $875 million in grants over a five-year period for community-building and economic development efforts in distressed municipalities. Tuesday’s vote marked the program’s eighth round of funding. Among the largest grants approved was $7 million for Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County to build a new Head Start facility in Stamford that will consolidate programs and expand early childhood education services. Two projects will receive $6 million each: demolition of the St. John Towers property in Stamford to prepare the site for affordable housing redevelopment, and the conversion of the 111 Founders Plaza office tower in East Hartford into residential apartments, which is part of the broader Port Eastside redevelopment. Higher education projects also received significant funding. The University of New Haven was awarded $5 million to renovate a former Railroad Salvage property in West Haven into a Center for Innovation and Applied Technology focused on workforce training and industry partnerships. The University of Bridgeport will receive $3.2 million to renovate Cortright Hall.

https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/cif-board-approves-62-9m-for-38-community-development-projects-statewide/

Waterford — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved General Dynamics Electric Boat’s plans for its remake of the Crystal Mall property, which the company purchased last year. Devin Xenelis, director of facilities and real estate at Electric Boat, said Tuesday night the company purchased the mall property after an “immense amount of pressure from our customer” the U.S. Navy to deliver submarines. Xenelis alluded to the global events that are putting pressure on the Navy, making the military branch a more demanding customer. “The volumes requested don’t fit in our current shipyard,” Xenelis told the Planning and Zoning Commission as it held a public hearing on a special permit requested by Electric Boat to transform the aging mall into more space for the submarine manufacturer. Xenelis said moving certain workers to Waterford would free up space in the Groton shipyard, which Xenelis said can’t expand because it has the Thames River on one side and neighborhoods on the other. The Groton shipyard could then focus more on building submarines, its “core function,” Xenelis said. Xenelis said Electric Boat explored other sites before deciding the mall was best for its needs. Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz in his report on the project said EB is looking to convert the building from a shopping center to a “business/professional office with a private educational use” and “ancillary uses” like medical, food and financial services. Project plans also include removing about an acre of parking lot pavement.

https://theday.com/news/856812/waterford-approves-electric-boat-plan-for-crystal-mall/

HARTFORD — Connecticut’s goal of having new nuclear power generation by 2035 will be hampered by the costs of construction, the speed of emerging technology and the willingness of residents to support new facilities of any size in their hometowns. Whether it’s small modular reactors or new large-scale generators such as the Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford, the state must start looking at its energy future now, if more generation is to be available by the middle of the next decade, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes told state lawmakers last week. There’s $5 million in state grants for towns and cities to consider hosting small nuclear reactors that could generate up to 300 megawatts, keeping the lights on in up to 300,000 homes. Larger Millstone-size facilities that can generate 2 gigawatts of electricity, which can power 2 million houses, would require a major multistate regional commitment, Dykes said. “There is so much that has evolved and changed in the nuclear industry since the last time that Connecticut was in dialogue with communities about siting and hosting nuclear, which was decades ago,” Dykes told the legislative Energy and Technology Committee. DEEP has already held two of six planned informational workshops for the public to learn about new nuclear capacity in Connecticut. She stressed the need for municipal buy-in when considering the benefits of hosting a small modular reactor, including future tax benefits.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/connecticut/article/ct-nuclear-power-new-expand-power-2035-deep-demand-21965983.php