House Republican Press Release

October 2, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

‘STEAP’ Funding To Renovate Minor Bridge in Roxbury Announced

HARTFORD- Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that $250,000 in new state funding will soon be available to make renovations to the Minor Bridge that spans the Shepaug River. The funding comes from the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) that is to be approved at the next meeting of the State Bond Commission.

“The Minor Bridge is a major transportation route for the town and it would be needed if ever the community needed to evacuate its residents,” said Governor Rell. “This bridge plays an important role in Roxbury and taking a proactive approach to in upgrading this bridge will ensure a safe travel route and serves as a true investment in the community.”

Minor Bridge, which was built in 1957, is a 135-foot structure that spans a ledge-lined channel of the Shepaug River. Upgrades to the bridge will include reinforcing the concrete decking and replacing the bridge railings and guide rails.

“The safety of Roxbury residents is always a high priority,” said State Senator Louis DeLuca. “Everyone in this community will benefit from this improvement and we are grateful to Governor Rell for her continued efforts to boost rural towns by funding crucial projects that can make a difference to the residents and surrounding townspeople who live here.”

“Everyone in town will be impacted in a positive way with this new bridge,” said State Representative Arthur O’Neill. “By making the upgrades today, this rehabilitation will help to ensure that we don’t run into more problems down the road. Governor Rell’s approach to finding a solution before it becomes a more serious concern is much appreciated by the residents of Roxbury.”

A total of $20 million has been authorized for more than 100 small towns under the STEAP program this fiscal year.  The Bond Commission will meet Friday, October 6 at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.