The Connecticut Bond Commission earmarked $11.7 million for two Department of Transportation projects at the Stamford train station and in four other communities.
Stamford projects include the construction of a pedestrian bridge to extend the public way across Washington Boulevard and connect with the fourth station platform and commuter drop-off lanes. The project also comprises platform canopy extensions, additional shelters, a walkway to Atlantic Street, signage upgrades and other improvements, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The state funding will supplement a $10.5 million federal grant Stamford received under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program, or TIGER, to make critical functional upgrades to its transportation center.
"After years of neglect, our transportation infrastructure, including many of our bridges, is in dire need of repair," said Gov. Dannel Malloy.
The bond commission also dedicated $7.3 million for state bridge improvement, rehabilitation and replacement projects in Greenwich, Madison, Montville and Thomaston. Connecticut will seek bids this fall, with work to begin in spring 2014 and completion expected by the end of that year.
According to a 2011 report released by Transportation for America, 1,779 of Connecticut's 5,250 bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
