Colebrook, Winsted to Receive Road Improvement Grants

COLEBROOK – It was recently announced that the state will be allocating $11 million from its Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) in a round of grants that will help 94 towns across the state with various local improvement projects. According to State Representative Jay Case (R-Winsted) and State Senators Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) and Craig Miner (R-Litchfield), the towns of Colebrook and Winsted will be receiving a portion of the grant allocations.

• Colebrook is scheduled to receive a $128,205 STEAP grant for the repaving of Shanty Road. Colebrook will also be providing significant funding of $48,729 for this infrastructure project.
• Winsted is scheduled to receive a $128,000 STEAP grant for the rehabilitation of the bridge and culvert at West Wakefield Boulevard over Sucker Brook. Winsted will also be providing significant funding of $290,000 for this infrastructure project.

“Our local roads and bridges have been neglected for too long as a result of the underfunding of the Special Transportation Fund, especially here in the Northwest Corner. These issues have been compacted by the negative impact of the Coronavirus. I applaud the allocation of a STEAP grant that will make traveling the roads in Colebrook and Winsted safer for those who live and work here. It’s a great benefit to our community that state and local government can collaborate to make this project a reality, particularly in light of the pandemic,” explained Rep. Case.

Sen. Witkos said, “STEAP is an immensely important program that helps many of our small towns complete important projects with state assistance. I have been a vocal proponent of this program for several years and was pleased to have supported these projects.  It is vital that the State of Connecticut support our small towns with these types of programs and I am grateful for the investment being made to the town of Colebrook.”

Municipalities across the state can apply for STEAP grants. A project may be eligible for a grant if it is new construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement for an existing facility or facilities. However, there has not been an allocation of STEAP grants since 2016. The governor’s office noted that budgets for smaller towns were hurting as a result of COVID-19’s impact on the state. Consequently, this round of grants was intended to help alleviate some economic stress that they are facing. To read the governor’s release, click here.

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