A detour that caused concern among residents in Lyme, East Haddam and Salem last year seems poised to become a problem again this year ― but for new reasons. The recommended detour as crews replace the bridge across Strongs Brook in East Haddam would take drivers some 30 miles out of the way. When approached by the DOT last fall for permission to use the road again for the imminent project, both East Haddam and Lyme agreed to the proposal. Lyme First Selectman David Lahm said the town has concerns about speeding and the increased traffic on the road but will be putting up its own signs and portable digital speed signs, as well as taking other measures to mitigate any issues, including potentially paying for increased state trooper presence along the road if necessary.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20220715/thirty-mile-multiple-town-detour-proposed-during-route-82-bridge-construction/

The Biden administration has a plan to create a highly skilled diverse workforce to complete infrastructure projects over the next decade. Biden’s idea is to encourage job training programs in certain sectors in order to benefit communities and groups lagging in male-dominated trade industries. A Biden executive order seeks to impose project labor agreements (PLAs) on all federal construction projects worth at least $35 million as a means to do that. “The use of a PLA can provide structure and stability to large construction projects,” said the White House. “PLAs also help ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing workplace safety and health, equal employment opportunity and labor and employment standards.” PLAs guarantee a contractor will enter into collective bargaining agreements with at least one union covering the duration of the project. Biden’s February executive order directed federal agencies to use such agreements on construction projects above $35 million.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/biden-plas-apprenticeship-mandates-meet-industry-opposition/57212

City Council approved a motion to allow the mayor to move forward in applying for a state grant which could potentially bring millions to infrastructure and development improvement along Riverside Avenue. The mayor said state officials encouraged Bristol to apply for up to $30 million in grant funding because the state’s economic and community development officials are looking for “transformational projects that can be linked together.” He likened it to processes the Bristol ARPA Task Force was using in its oversight of federal fund administration to local initiatives. The mayor said the city has been planning to make a new Riverside Avenue streetscape and the grant would be a “golden opportunity for us to take advantage of once in a lifetime-type funds.” The application is due July 25.

http://www.bristolpress.com/BP-Bristol+News/407180/grant-could-bring-millions-to-infrastructure-development-improvement-along-riverside-avenue

The Putnam Bridge Trail Connection Project will provide a safe and simpler way for pedestrians, pets and bikers to cross the Connecticut River between Wethersfield and Glastonbury. The project, which is expected to be complete in October 2023, will cost about $8.2 million, Department of Transportation spokesperson Josh Morgan said. The State Bond Commission already approved the needed funds. The project will include parking lots on the shores of the Connecticut River on both sides of the bridge and a paved trail leading from the parking lots to the mouth of the bridge, Giulietti said. The completed trail will make the Putnam Bridge one of the few in the state for pedestrians and bikers to cross the river without a vehicle. In April, the project bid was awarded to Richards Corp. for $8,207,115.85, according to DOT documents. To accommodate construction, there will be overnight lane closures Sunday through Friday on Route 3 southbound in the area from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and on Route 3 northbound from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

https://www.nhregister.com/hartford/article/Crossing-the-CT-River-Construction-begins-on-new-17305668.php?src=nhrhpdesecp

A 47-apartment development on Petremont Lane will more than double its size. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at its meeting Tuesday, approved Good Guys Development’s proposed modification to Petremont Lane and brings the apartment total to 100. Tuesday’s vote was 5-1 in favor of the project, with commissioner Jimmy Tickey opposed. He voiced concerns about the potential for the negative traffic effects of the project — dubbed Clock Tower at Petremont Lane. Traffic engineer Kermit Hua of KWH Enterprise, reported the traffic effect from the project would be “limited.” Petremont Lane is just off River Road. The property abuts a nonresidential area and a residential area, and, according to the application, the purpose of the planned development district is “to allow the construction of an apartment building to accomplish a transition between single-family use and an established nonresidential area.”

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Shelton-zoning-OKs-100-apartment-development-on-17305911.php

The preliminary design for a project to replace the Groton Long Point Road Bridge and make the structure safer and more resilient in the face of rising sea levels is under review. Consulting engineer AECOM presented a preliminary design for the bridge and causeway Tuesday to the Town Council at its Committee of the Whole meeting. The bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure, as the only vehicular bridge that connects Groton Long Point and Mumford Cove with the rest of Groton, Project Manager Andre St. Germain said. One option for funding is to apply to a program in which the federal government covers 80% of the cost and the town covers 20%, but the town also could apply to a new program, available due to the new infrastructure law, in which the federal government would cover the full cost. St. Germain presented a proposed timeline to start final design next year, complete it in 2024, and then start construction in 2025, with the goal of finishing construction in 2026.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20220714/groton-long-point-road-bridge-preliminary-design-under-discussion/

Centerplan is asking the court for permission to cite RMS DoNo I LLC – controlled by Randy Salvatore, founder and CEO of RMS Companies – as a defendant. RMS has built 270 apartment units on property next to the stadium that it leases from the city. RMS is also planning to build 550 apartments and a 530-space garage built on a vacant 5-acre lot at 1139 Main St. In the amended complaint, filed Wednesday, Centerplan seeks a declaratory judgment stating that its termination was wrongful and unjustified, and that it retains the right to develop the parcels. Also, Centerplan is seeking a court order prohibiting the city from permitting any further development by RMS or another entity. After Centerplan’s termination, the city issued an RFP for a new developer to build the stadium and to develop four surrounding parcels. It ultimately selected RMS as the developer.

Fired Dunkin’ Donuts Park developer says it has legal right to develop around stadium

Lynn Ward, president and CEO of Waterbury Regional Chamber, and Joseph Violette, chamber director of public policy and economic development, walked past several vacant storefronts on Grand Street Wednesday, hoping a proposed program will soon rejuvenate the area. The program would administer grants of $50 per square foot, with a maximum grant of $100,000 to eligible property owners who are looking to develop or restore new or existing ground-floor retail space. The Board of Aldermen on Monday will consider approving the program. If approved, the program would receive $1.5 million from the city’s federal $74 million American Rescue Plan allocation. If approved next week, the program would be up and running in August, Ward said. Throughout the duration of the program, chamber officials would highlight vacant properties through open houses, social media campaigns and business development workshops for new businesses. Applications are expected to close June 30, 2023. The program would be a partnership between the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation and city officials. A nine-member oversight and approval committee would be set up and be responsible for processing and vetting applications and disbursing funds.

https://www.rep-am.com/local/localnews/2022/07/13/waterbury-encourages-redevelopment-of-grand-street-with-grant-money/

Bronin, Gov. Ned Lamont and other dignitaries gathered in the rear lot of a long-shuttered brick building off the northern tip of Ann Uccello Street to celebrate the grant. It will help pay for a $17.5 million project adding 43 apartments and near 8,000 square feet of retail space in three buildings, helping to reforge a connection of the downtown to the Clay Arsenal Neighborhood, North Main Street and Albany Avenue. The $6.5 million state grant was first announced earlier this year, part of a $45 million in allocation to projects in various communities through the new CT Communities Grant. State officials expect to spend up to $100 million over five years through the program, helping realize projects that increase the vibrancy of neighborhoods, especially in urban centers. The next application round opens in August.

https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/43-unit-mixed-use-apartment-development-to-help-stitch-a-void-north-of-hartfords-downtown

South Windsor planners have approved a proposal to build 165 more apartments at Evergreen Walk after the developer slightly increased the number of units to be set aside for affordable housing. Town officials and business owners at the shopping hub have argued that the new development is essential for nearby retailers and useful for generating more tax revenue. Only 6.8% of South Windsor’s housing qualifies as “affordable” by the state’s definition; towns are under pressure to maintain at least a 10% level. After initially proposing that 10% of its new housing would qualify, Evergreen Walk LLC recently told the commission that it would increase that to 12.5% by pricing four additional apartments at that level. By a 6-1 vote, the planning and zoning commission amended the zoning rules for the Buckland Gateway zone and also modified the general development plan for Evergreen Walk.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-connecticut-south-windsor-evergreen-walk-20220713-wmpl2cwzlbdwzovwguk7knrlwi-story.html