House Republican Press Release

October 6, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Gov. Rell, Rep. Piscopo: $300,000 Grant Approved for Thomaston Bridge and Culvert Project

The State Bond Commission has approved a $300,000 grant that will help pay for the cost of repairing the Altair Avenue bridge and culvert in Thomaston, Governor M. Jodi Rell and state Representative John E. Piscopo, R-76^th  District, announced today.

The funding, which was approved at today’s (October 6, 2006) Bond Commission meeting, comes from the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP).

“This particular bridge and culvert are in poor condition and pose a potential risk to public safety,” Governor Rell said, noting that part of the bridge has been barricaded to limit vehicular traffic. “I have made a commitment to our cities and towns to help with the funding of needed projects, especially when there is a public safety hazard, and this project is a good example how the state can pitch in and provide funding that would otherwise need to be raised through local taxes.”

“This grant provides the funding the town needs to correct long-standing problems with the bridge.” said Representative Piscopo, who worked with Senator Louis C. DeLuca, R-32^nd District, to secure the funding. “This is a critical project that will make the bridge safer for local automobile and truck traffic. We appreciate the Governor’s support for this important project.”

Additional funding for the project will be provided by the state Department of Transportation and the Town of Thomaston.

A total of $20 million has been authorized for more than 100 small towns under the STEAP program this fiscal year.