The latest proposed version of the renovated and expanded library will likely now have a $60 million pricetag and a partial third floor. City leaders are expected to decide later this month whether to place a referendum question on the November ballot for voters to decide whether to fund an estimated $60 million construction of a new Russell Library, still in the conceptual phase, on its existing footprint. The 45,000-square-foot facility at 123 Broad St., long past its useful life, consists of several cobbled-together, aging buildings. Colors and materials are yet to be determined. Final specifications will be firmed up following the referendum, during the design process, and are subject to change. The library will temporarily be relocated during construction, which Burkey hopes will begin in two years, and take another two to complete.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/middletown-ct-russell-library-rebuilt-60-million-20415538.php

The Constitution Boulevard West extension — long just a concept on paper — will allow development of the nearly 76 acres known as the Mas property, which is landlocked. The city has already agreed to sell portions to various companies, including Bigelow Tea. With the permits now in place, the city has already placed barriers up along Bridgeport Avenue in preparation for the work expected to begin next week. Lauretti said the $6.6 million in total state grants should cover the majority, if not all, of the road construction. He says he plans to seek more state funding for this major development project as well. Lauretti also confirmed that Brennan Construction is still charged with completing the work, which he hopes will begin in earnest after the July 4 holiday.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/shelton-ct-constitution-boulevard-extension-work-20415432.php

New York-based Atlas Capital Group has proposed to build a two-story data center spanning more than 1 million square feet across two floors on a vacant site in Bloomfield. Marisa Fontaine, of Atlas Capital, said the substation is required for a project of this size and that the company has had preliminary talks with Eversource. The 60-foot tall building would contain 5,500 square feet of office space, 8,700 square feet of storage space and a 6,818-square-foot loading facility. Chillers to cool the data servers would be placed on the roof. The property has two access points – one from Griffin Road and the other from Route 189. Atlas Capital Group is a commercial and retail development company serving the New York and Los Angeles areas.

NY developer proposes 1M-sq.-ft. data center in Connecticut

Within minutes of signing legislation on Tuesday that pledged to put Connecticut on a path toward reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Gov. Ned Lamont flipped the script by reiterating his support for one of climate advocates’ chief causes of concern: an expansion of pipelines carrying fracked natural gas. Specifically, the Democratic governor hinted that he’d been engaged in talks with the Trump administration and state leaders in New York about building or expanding pipelines that could deliver more gas to Connecticut and the rest of New England. One project mentioned by several outlets as a potential chip in negotiations between the states and the federal government is the so-called Constitution Pipeline, which would carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania to upstate New York, where it would connect with existing pipelines serving Connecticut and New England. The developer behind that proposed pipeline, The Williams Companies, submitted applications with state and federal regulators earlier this year to approve the pipeline, with an estimated completion date in 2027.

Lamont doubles down on natural gas after signing two climate-related bills

The cameras were initially introduced in the state as a pilot program at work zones in 2021. The work zone cameras were installed in 2024. That paved the way for the permanent use of speed cameras at work zones. Then, this year, the first speed cameras were installed in the town of Washington. First-time offenders face a $50 fine, while offenses after that cost $75. The fines do not count against someone’s driving record, but the idea is that the penalty will deter people from routinely speeding. There are also signs placed in the area of the cameras, warning them that vehicle speed is monitored by camera. Now, the legislature has passed a law that moves Connecticut closer to speed cameras on highways. The first step is for the state DOT to develop a plan to “expand the use of speed safety cameras on state highways,” the bill says, with a plan and proposed legislation submitted, “Not later than Feb. 1, 2026.” Last year was the second-deadliest on record for car crashes in Connecticut.

https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/ct-speed-cameras-highways-95-traffic-tickets-20395597.php

A $2.65 million state grant-funded project to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety along White Street at the Locust Avenue and Wildman Street intersection is currently underway near downtown Danbury. The “main reason” behind the project is to alleviate bottlenecked traffic flows at the intersection, which is near Western Connecticut State University’s midtown campus, Danbury Traffic Engineer Veera Karukonda said. The traffic component of the project includes road-widening work along the westbound side of White Street, which began several weeks earlier. The westbound travel side of the road will get an additional lane approaching Locust Avenue, which will allow motorists to either drive straight or turn right. The lane will continue on White Street and merge back to two lanes before the Eighth Avenue intersection. The project is funded with a grant the city was awarded five years ago, he said.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/danbury-white-street-traffic-safety-locust-westcon-20358861.php

Norwich Public Schools held a groundbreaking for the new Greeneville Elementary School on June 30. Located on its old site on Golden Street, it is one of new four elementary schools that are a part of the school district’s $385 million School Building Project, which the voters approved in 2022. “This groundbreaking isn’t just about concrete and steel. It is about creating a place where children will learn, grow, and dream, and families will continue to come together in partnership and support,” Superintendent Susan Lessard said. The return of the Greenville School isn’t just about education, but also about economic development. Jobs are being created by building the school and economic progress will continue through bringing more families to Greeneville, and in turn more business, Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom said.

https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/local/2025/07/01/norwich-public-schools-greeneville-elementary-groundbreaking-june-30/84425059007/

Two Connecticut airports are receiving federal grants for ongoing improvements, with Bradley International Airport garnering the bulk of the $8.7 million, and Danbury Municipal Airport receiving just over $225,000. The Connecticut congressional delegation stated that Bradley International Airport is getting $8,537,126 to add to the ongoing costs of expanding the existing Terminal A by 25,230 feet. On Monday, the Connecticut Airport Authority said that Bradley International Airport reached one of two major milestones of its construction projects, which will be aided by this most recent grant, and are “officially kicking off the gradual rollout of more than $250 million in infrastructure improvements.” The milestone is the opening of the corridor in airport’s east concourse. The construction, which began in April 2023, is adding two corridors to the east and west sides of the main terminal, adjacent to each of the two concourses. This June, the corridor opened in the east concourse.

Millions in federal grants going to CT airports for projects. Here’s how they’ll benefit travelers

Construction of a $24 million housing development at 9 Scott Road is finally under way after 20 years, although a bit smaller than originally planned. The plan now is to build 47 affordable housing two-bedroom townhouse-style units in nine energy-efficient residential buildings. The 18-month project is scheduled for completion in late 2026. Heading up the development, called Oak Woods, is Connecticut Housing Partners, a nonprofit that develops affordable housing. Dobos said CHP and the contractor, Haynes Construction in Seymour, are aware of the fence requirement. The town’s Planning and Zoning Commission made the fence a condition of approval, under a former landowner and developer.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/waterbury/article/plymouth-ct-oak-woods-affordable-housing-partners-20385837.php

Crown Equities LLC is proposing between 240 and 296 houses, townhouses and apartment units at what it would call the Enclave at the Farmington River. The property includes a former gravel excavation plant, on a swath of land between Farmington Avenue and the river. The Minneapolis-based developer is exploring any opportunities to get financing through the Build for CT program, which provides subordinate loans to fund construction of “middle income” housing in Connecticut. Crown Equities currently envisions up to 86 houses, 30 townhouses and 180 more units either built as apartments or townhouses. Based on its initial plan, Crown Equities is projecting a total development cost of roughly $225 million.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/realestate/article/ct-farmington-riverfront-housing-development-20389857.php