Investing in America: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1.8 Billion in National Infrastructure Grants
Hartford, CT, June 27, 2024 – The U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded $2 Million in federal funding to the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) along with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), CTtransit, and the towns of Berlin, Newington, and Wethersfield through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.
The funding will result in a plan for a safer Berlin Turnpike, which has been identified as a high-crash corridor within the region. CRCOG, in coordination with its grant application partners, will conduct a comprehensive study of the multi-lane, 11-mile corridor, and surrounding areas to identify needs and assess the benefits and impacts of building an active transportation network. The study will recommend ways to expand travel choices and safely accommodate bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes along this regionally significant corridor.
“This area of the Turnpike stands out as one of our region’s highest crash corridors, including several pedestrian fatalities in recent years. It's also an important commercial corridor with potential for more mixed-use development,” said Matt Hart, CRCOG’s Executive Director. “With this funding, we’ll be able to develop a comprehensive plan to make the corridor safer for all road users and to add pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure to position the corridor for future development and redevelopment opportunities.”
As part of the study, selected early action recommendations will progress to preliminary design development. CRCOG is hopeful that all recommendations that emerge from the study will receive additional future funding for final design and construction.
“We’re thrilled to partner with CRCOG, CTtransit, and the towns of Berlin, Newington, and Wethersfield to study and fix this crash-prone area of the Berlin Turnpike,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “For decades, this area has been identified as needing transportation improvements. Thanks to the USDOT and our federal delegation, we now have funding to help us reimagine a safer corridor that will benefit everyone.”
The RAISE program is one of several competitive grant programs providing funding to communities nationwide under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To date, across the Biden-Harris Administration, nearly $454 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced for more than 57,000 specific projects in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories, nearly $454 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced for more than 57,000 projects in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories.
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The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) leads as a catalyst to enhance the quality of life, vibrancy, and vitality of the Greater Hartford region. CRCOG provides planning, programs, and services to its member municipalities and is the region’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). CRCOG is a strong advocate for the region and regional solutions.
