House Republican Press Release

August 21, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Ferrari: Bond Commission Okays Funding for East Granby, New Hartford Projects

Route 20 in East Granby to be Widened; Bridge Over Nepaug River in New Hartford to be Replaced

The State Bond Commission has approved funding for a highway widening project on Route 20 in East Granby and to replace a bridge over the Nepaug River on Route 202 in New Hartford, state Representative Richard F. Ferrari, R-62^nd District, announced today.

The funding is part of a $144,600,000 allocation for the Department of Transportation that will help pay for a variety of highway and bridge projects around the state. The funding was approved by the bond commission at its monthly meeting Friday (August 18^th).

“The bridge over the Nepaug River in New Hartford is too narrow to safely accommodate vehicles approaching the structure from opposite directions. It has been a long-standing concern for residents and I’m very pleased that the Bond Commission approved funding to replace it,” Representative Ferrari said. “The Route 20 widening project will make the highway easier for vehicles to traverse and ease congestion for motorists leaving East Granby Center. Once completed, the projects will enhance motorist safety and improve traffic flow in both East Granby and New Hartford.”

The New Hartford project involves the replacement of the bridge on Route 202 over the Nepaug River. The existing structure is only 23 feet wide and is located at a low point between two vertical grades, making it especially dangerous when motorists approach it at high speeds. The new structure will be 40 feet wide and the Route 202 approach will be realigned to enhance motorist safety, Representative Ferrari said.

The total estimated cost of the bridge replacement project is $3,175,480. The federal share of that total is $2,540,384. The state’s share amounts to $635,096. Construction is anticipated to get underway in the summer of 2007 with completion expected by fall 2008, Representative Ferrari said.

The highway widening project on Route 20 in East Granby involves the reconstruction of Route 20 from Route 187 to Holcomb Street and Newgate Road in East Granby. Route 20 will be widened to two lanes in each direction and a left turn lane and a raised median between Route 187 and Metacomet Drive will be built. Holcomb Street will be realigned opposite Newgate Road to improve traffic flow at the intersection, and a new signal will be added at Center Street, Representative Ferrari said.

The project will get underway in the spring of 2007 with completion expected by fall 2009. The total cost for the rehabilitation work is $10,845,000. The federal share amounts to $8,676,000. The state’s share amounts to $2,169,000, Representative Ferrari said.