Work has begun on a series of upgrades that will make the region’s electric grid more resilient to extreme weather caused by climate change and improve reliability for customers, Eversource has announced. The work to replace aging transmission infrastructure within the utility right of way with stronger steel structures began Monday, Aug. 5. While the company says no problems, such as power failures, have arisen due to the aging infrastructure, it is proactively upgrading the system to improve the grid’s resiliency and support the interconnection of new clean energy resources and increased electrification. The company says it plans to continue working closely with state agencies, community leaders, and property owners where construction occurs and ensure the work will not interrupt electric service. The project is scheduled to be completed by early 2025.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/recordjournal/article/eversource-grid-upgrades-central-connecticut-19628375.php

Construction work continues on the stretch of Interstate 95 between Westport and Norwalk, including the addition of a new sidewalk off Exit 16. “The community can expect the installation of new pedestrian signals as well as new pavement markings throughout the city within the coming weeks,” Norwalk said on Facebook. “We appreciate CTDOT’s partnership in helping make Norwalk a more accessible and walkable community for everyone.” The I-95 Norwalk/Westport project spans the area between about Exit 16 in Norwalk and Exit 17 in Westport. As a part of the project the DOT replaced a bridge in Westport last fall. Overall, the project has improved drainage, road conditions, enhanced safety and repaired bridges in that section of I-95, according to DOT.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/interstate-95-construction-westport-norwalk-work-19626592.php

Meadow Ridge has started construction to install much-anticipated solar panels at the senior living community, with a goal of lowering energy costs and creating a greener future. The Meadow Ridge Solar Committee has been working to bring the planned $2.7 million solar power project to the senior living community for several years. The project was funded by a commercial property-assessed clean energy loan from the Connecticut Green Bank, as well as by zero-emission renewable energy credits through Eversource and investment tax credits, according to a statement from Meadow Ridge. The project, which will be built by the West Hartford-based solar energy company Verogy, calls for the construction of three solar arrays, Meadow Ridge said. Once completed, the solar installation will supply Meadow Ridge with over 890,000 kilowatt-hours, or 17-percent, of the community’s annual electricity for an estimated savings of $7.6 million in electricity costs over the array’s lifespan.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/meadow-ridge-solar-panels-redding-ct-19623485.php

The federal government is giving the region $389 million to improve the electrical grid. Part of that money will go towards erecting massive wind turbines off the coast of New London. Connecticut officials say that will mean cheaper, cleaner electricity in the long run. State officials say the project should be in service within eight years after contracts are finalized. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes highlighted an offshore wind farm project. Dykes said once it’s completed, it will be a significant source of clean energy. “These projects will support the integration of 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind in each location and enhance the reliability of the grid,” Dykes said. Contracts were expected to be awarded to electric companies this month, but as WCAI previously reported, the recent federal grant may impact contract awards.

$389 million in federal funding will help improve New England’s electrical grid, CT officials say

Much-needed renovations to the 49-year-old XL Center in downtown Hartford are closer to reality as the state Bond Commission approved $118 million for the project Thursday. The total renovation for the 16,300-seat arena, which opened in 1975 as the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the Hartford Civic Center, will cost $145 million, down from a $250 million project that was ditched in 2018. It will include premium loge seating, a relocated upgraded concert stage and IT upgrades. The renovations are seen as making the center more attractive to promoters and able to turn a profit, eliminating a years-long state subsidy of about $2 million a year and increasing concerts from about six to 30 a year. That private company is Oak View Group of Los Angeles, which manages the arena day to day and which is investing $20 million into the project. It plans to take a larger role over the next two decades. Freimuth has said the renovations would likely be completed by spring 2026, because of contractors having to work around the fall and winter sports seasons.

XL Center gets $118M CT Bond Commission boost; big upgrades are in its future

In May 2022, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart helped celebrate the launch of an $11 million redevelopment of the former Stanley Black & Decker headquarters on Myrtle Street into 106 market rate apartments. At the time, the project was expected to wrap-up in a little more than a year. Developer Amit Lakhotia blames the delay on a longer-than-anticipated state environmental review process and financing hiccups. New Britain officials have helped, securing a $1.5 million state grant for the project and approving a 13-year tax break. Lakhotia and his investors have also dug deeper into their pockets. New Britain-based TLong Construction is performing the work at 480 Myrtle St. TLong President George Taweh, also an investor in the development, said funding delays have held back the project by a year, and prompted him to lend it $1.5 million.

https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/apartment-redevelopment-of-former-stanley-black-decker-headquarters-in-new-britain-powers

Connecticut will share a portion of $389 million in federal funds for electrical infrastructure projects in New England — including one in Montville — aimed at accommodating an influx of offshore wind power. The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday announced it had awarded the competitive grant to Power Up New England, a joint proposal from all six New England states. The proposal includes the expansion and construction of electrical substations or switching stations in Somerset, Mass., and in Montville. State Pier is crowded with turbine parts, some of which will be shipped off the coast of Rhode Island this week for the start of the installation of turbines at Revolution Wind, a joint project of Ørsted and Eversource and the first offshore wind farm to supply power to Connecticut. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is expected to announce within the next month if it plans to purchase more offshore wind power from among several bid proposals submitted to Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

https://www.theday.com/article/20240807/federal-funds-to-provide-upgrades-to-electrical-grid-for-wind-power/

City officials are waiting for one document before the state approves the demolition of 116 Cook Ave. and it can finalize hiring a contractor. The city received $2 million to demolish the building, and the City Council approved bonding $25 million to build the new center. The city has not set aside money for the demolition. Officials said the project could attract state funding if the building is gone and the site is shovel-ready. Before building on a capped area of the Cook Avenue site, environmental engineers will identify the extent to which remediation will be needed, which will be factored into the project cost, city officials explained. Senior Center Building Committee Chairman Bruce Fontanella said last month that 12 architects have submitted proposals and city officials will choose three finalists. Later this month, the building committee will get the final selection. Once the three firms are selected, a request for proposals will be drafted, and the City Council will choose the architect and pay for the design.

https://www.ctinsider.com/recordjournal/article/meriden-116-cook-demolition-senior-health-center-19623425.php

The Route 74 Bridge over the Skungamaug River, near Skungamaug Road reopened for travel on Tuesday — ahead of schedule. “This project was completed ahead of schedule thanks to strong partnerships between (the Connecticut Department of Transportation), the town, and ROTHA Contracting,” Joe Cooper of the DOT said. The project was awarded to the ROTHA Contracting Company, Inc., located in Avon, on Aug. 16. The cost of the project was $4,779,424.50, and was administered by the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Construction, District 1 in Rocky Hill. Cooper said that tree clearing and installation of access roads were completed in fall 2023, allowing for utility relocations throughout the winter, and that ROTHA Contracting closed the bridge and installed detour signs in May of this year.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/journalinquirer/article/ct-tolland-route-74-bridge-reopening-19620353.php

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 6, Danbury’s Public Works Department is conducting road construction on Wooster Heights Road, the city of Danbury announced on its website. This construction will not result in any road closures, however, there is the possibility of travel restrictions during the work period, the city said. The construction work is expected to last approximately two to three weeks in this downtown area, the city said. During this time, there will be no on-street parking permitted on Wooster Heights Road. The city also issued a road construction advisory on its website for a bridge project near the intersection of Franklin Street Extension and Gregory Street. Eversource will be relocating its gas main that currently crosses over the top of the existing bridge to facilitate the bridge construction, the city said. The work by Eversource was scheduled to start on Monday, Aug. 5, and to continue for approximately three weeks. All of this construction work comes on the heels of large paving projects on nearby Main Street and Deer Hill Avenue in recent weeks. Other summer road work has included projects to repave Federal Road from the White Street intersection into Brookfield; Newtown Road’s span between White Street and Lyon Street, as well as a South Street paving project.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/danbury-paving-roads-wooster-franklin-19623035.php