Connecticut awards $16.8 million for 13 local bridge projects

Connecticut is providing $16.8 million in state grants for 13 bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects on locally maintained roads in 11 municipalities, Gov. Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced July 29, 2026.

The grants cover 50% of eligible project costs under the State Local Bridge Program. Municipalities must administer the design and construction work, while the Connecticut Department of Transportation monitors project milestones and provides guidance.

The awards do not establish construction start dates, traffic closures or completion dates. Residents in the affected communities may eventually see design work, bidding, construction or detours, but those details were not included in the July 29 announcement.

The 13 projects

The state identified the following projects and state grant amounts:

• Burlington: Replace Bridge 020003 on Alto Road over an unnamed brook — $636,750.
• Fairfield: Replace Bridge 050020 on Old Field Road over Pine Creek — $2,985,089.
• Harwinton: Replace Bridge 065005 on Gale Road over an unnamed stream — $600,750.
• Harwinton: Replace Bridge 065011 on Birch Hill Road over Pickett Brook — $600,750.
• New Canaan: Replace Bridge 089025 on Lakeview Avenue over an unnamed stream — $1,142,750.
• New Milford: Rehabilitate Bridge 05312 on Boardman Road over the Housatonic River — $2,656,875.
• Southbury: Replace Bridge 130010 on New Road over Spruce Brook — $535,000.
• Stamford: Rehabilitate Bridge 04065 on West Broad Street over the Rippowam River — $3,731,250.
• Stonington: Replace Bridge 137009 on Collins Road over Cattle Path — $770,000.
• Suffield: Replace Bridge 139006 on Hickory Road over Fourmile Brook — $778,179.
• Suffield: Replace Bridge 139009 on Copper Hill Road over an unnamed stream — $841,929.
• West Hartford: Replace Bridge 155014 on Old Brook Road over Mountain Farms Brook — $978,075.
• Winchester: Replace Bridge 162008 on Newfield Road over Fox Brook — $612,500.

How the state-local match works

Connecticut has approximately 4,200 bridges and culverts on municipally maintained roads. The cities and towns that own those structures are responsible for their construction and maintenance.

The Local Bridge Program, created by the General Assembly in 1984, provides state grants to municipalities for removing, replacing, reconstructing or rehabilitating locally owned bridges. Under this award round, the state share is 50% of eligible project costs. That means the $16.8 million represents Connecticut’s contribution, not the full cost of all 13 projects.

Municipalities remain responsible for administering engineering, design, bidding and construction. CTDOT’s role includes providing program guidance and overseeing project milestones.

What residents should watch for

The grant announcement authorizes financial assistance; it is not notice that work has started. The affected towns and cities must advance their projects through design and construction steps.

Future information about construction schedules, road closures and detours is most likely to come from the municipality managing each project and from later CTDOT notices. Residents should check those sources before assuming a bridge will close or construction will begin on a particular date.

Sources

• CTDOT Local Bridge Program