House Republican Press Release

March 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Governor Rell Announces $425,000 for Road Work in Old Lyme’s Historic District

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the town of Old Lyme received a $425,000 grant to reconstruct a portion of town-owned roads in the town’s historic district at today’s meeting of the State Bond Commission.

            The funds were made available through the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). STEAP provides financial assistance for projects that encourage economic development and preserve the character of the state’s less populated towns.

The grant will allow Old Lyme to reconstruct 912 feet of existing town-owned roads – Ferry Street, Lyme Street and McCurdy Road – known as Church Corner. Improvements will include drainage, sidewalks, driveway relocations and pedestrian crossings in the town’s most central location.  The grant will fund the third and final stage of improvements to Lyme Street, the principal street in Old Lyme’s Historic District.

            “The Historic District in Old Lyme is one of the town’s greatest assets,” Governor Rell said.  “This project will help improve public safety in the center of town and help Old Lyme showcase its history and character.”

            “The roadway improvements to Church Corner are very exciting and they will expand and improve the town center while allowing it to keep all of its historic charm,” said State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano.  “Improved traffic and pedestrian measures are essential to keep the community thriving and I am pleased to have supported the STEAP grant application.”

            The Governor thanked State Senator Andrea Stillman for her support of the project.

The state funded STEAP program provides funds to eligible towns for economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects.  To be eligible, a town must have a population of less than 30,000 residents, not be designated as a distressed municipality or a public investment community and not have an urban center.  The state Office of Policy and Management administers this program and individual projects are managed by several state agencies including DECD.

            More than $19.7 million in STEAP funds for 72 towns were approved by the Bond Commission today.  The funds will enable 83 projects across the state to move forward.