House Republican Press Release

August 18, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Hamzy: Bond Commission Okays Funding for Route 72 Project in Bristol and Plainville

Funding for Bridge Rehab Project in Plymouth also Approved

The long-awaited Route 72 relocation project in Bristol and Plainville cleared a major hurdle when the State Bond Commission approved $7,300,000 in state funding for the work at its meeting Friday, said state Representative William A. Hamzy, R-78^th District, who has been working for several years to secure the financing.

The funding is part of a $144,600,000 allocation for state Department of Transportation projects around the state the bond commission approved at its monthly meeting Friday (August 18^th). Also included in the allocation approved Friday is funding for the rehabilitation of a bridge on Route 72 in Plymouth that spans the Poland River, Representative Hamzy said.

“This is great news for the people of Bristol, Plymouth and Plainville,” Representative Hamzy said. “When this project is completed it will enhance safety and significantly improve traffic flow between all three towns. It will mean easier access to the industrial and business parks along Route 229, which will stimulate economic growth in the area, create hundreds of new jobs and expand the tax base. I’d like to thank Governor Rell and the Bond Commission for including the funding for this critical project in this year’s allocation for DOT projects.”

The Route 72 project in Bristol and Plainville involves the construction of a four-lane highway with turning lanes from the present terminus of the existing Route 72 expressway at Forestville Avenue in Plainville to Middle Street (Route 229) in Bristol (approximately 2.4 miles); a raised median to separate traffic from Route 372 to Pine and Todd streets; and more than two miles of additional state and local roadway improvements, Representative Hamzy said.

The total estimated cost of the Route 72 project is $36,500,000. The federal share of that total is $29,200,000. The state’s share amounts to $7,300,000. Construction is anticipated to get underway in April of 2007 with completion expected by November 2010, Representative Hamzy said.

The Route 72 bridge rehabilitation project in Plymouth involves the replacement of the superstructure of the bridge on the existing abutments. Repairs to the substructure also will be made. The project will get underway in the spring of 2007 with completion expected by fall 2008, Representative Hamzy said.

The total cost for the rehabilitation work is $945,000. The federal share amounts ton $756,000. The state will be picking up the remaining $189,000, Representative Hamzy said.