WINDSOR, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Hundreds of bridges across Connecticut will see accelerated repair plans thanks to over $560 million in federal funding that the state is expected to get from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Connecticut is receiving $561.4 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to cover costs for bridge repairs, replacements and upgrades.
The state's bridge repair plans are being moved up several years with this funding, Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said.
Once plans are finalized, residents can expect to see bridge repairs happening by 2025 with hopes of construction being completed within a few years, Giulietti said.
"There are 3,000 bridges in our state in poor and fair condition that can benefit from this new program," he said.
There are 248 bridges in Connecticut that are considered to be in poor condition, according to the FHWA.
While the program will save the state money, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said it will also save local municipalities money.
"It used to be that for bridges that were locally owned, the state had to come up with a significant share, but under this bridge program, if you've got a bridge that's owned by a town, it can be reimbursed by the federal government under this program 100%," Murphy said.
The infrastructure repairs will reduce traffic and unclog areas of high traffic congestion, improving the lives of Connecticut residents who have been experiencing commute times that have increased by 10.9% since 2011, state officials said.
Bridge construction will also put many residents back to work in Connecticut while reducing costs to drivers who, on average, pay $711 per year for car repairs after driving on roads that are in need of repair, officials said.