Press release from Gov. Jodi Rell:
Governor M. Jodi Rell today led a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited, four-lane extension of Route 72 in Bristol. Earlier this summer, a $39.7 million contract was awarded to Manafort Brothers of Plainville for the project.
“Extending Route 72 will not only help central Connecticut commuters, it will provide a strong boost to economic development for the City of Bristol, local downtown merchants and companies along this corridor,” said Governor Rell. “The people of Bristol – and the region – have been waiting for years for this extension, which I regard as an investment in the community and Connecticut’s overall economy.”
Joining the Governor were Department of Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter; Mayor William Stortz; Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce President John Leone; state Reps. Betty Boukus, Ron Burn, William Hamzy and Frank Nicastro and state Sen. Thomas Colapietro.
The project calls for a 2.4-mile, four-lane section of highway extending from Route 372 (the end of the existing Route 72 roadway leading off I-84 in Plainville) to Middle Street in Bristol. It will include a new bridge over the Pequabuck River and a new pedestrian bridge over the new section of Route 72 near Forest Street.
The project is expected to take about 19 months to complete. The cost is being split between the state and federal governments, with 20 percent funded by the state and 80 percent by the federal government.
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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