Rep. Hoxha Joins Bristol Delegation in Applauding $6.8M Grant for Route 72 Upgrades

BRISTOL – Route 72 in Bristol will receive some much-needed safety upgrades and other enhancements thanks to a grant provided by the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) Board’s approval of $6.8 million in funding.

The grant will be used toward the city’s Route 72 Corridor Improvement Plan which is focused on pedestrian safety enhancements, traffic calming and streetscape improvements along Riverside Avenue and Park Street.

According to their website, the CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them. Grants can be used for a variety of capital improvement programs, such as brownfield remediation and infrastructure, as well as small business capital programs, such as start-up funds.

“On the campaign trail last year, I promised to be a voice and advocate for small town Connecticut and in particular the 78th District (Plymouth and Bristol). I promised I would fight tooth and nail to have our voices be heard. Our community has some of the greatest, and hardest working people in the entire state and they truly deserve to be included in the future of this state,” Rep. Hoxha said. “I also want to thank each and every one of the members on the CIF board regardless of political party, Mayor of Plymouth Joe Kilduff, and Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano for all their hard work, diligence, and most importantly, their belief in our community. We all look forward to the continued progress we can make together.”

“This grant is great news for the City of Bristol and for the overall safety of residents and visitors who travel through and stop at the many establishments along Route 72,” Rep. Cara Pavalock-D’Amato said. “Along with those improvements, this funding will also be used to enhance and improve the overall look of the downtown area, so I’m thrilled to see the upgrades taking place.”

“We are excited about the grant and the greater impact the funds will have on the community. The City of Bristol is quickly growing, and the CIF grant increases the amount of resources at the city’s disposal to fund projects that promote economic or community investment. Bristol is not the only municipality in my district that will benefit from the Community Investment Fund 2030 or various safety upgrades on Route 72. The Town of Plymouth was awarded a grant to encourage community development through various projects. I look forward to working with city and town officials and my colleagues here at the Capitol to ensure funds are appropriated in a timely manner,” Senator Martin said.

“Bristol is very excited as this will allow us to build on the momentum of downtown development. The streetscape project represents a tremendous opportunity to transform an entire corridor. We are very thankful for the great support from the entire CIF Board and DECD, who clearly recognize that Bristol can leverage this support to link the many projects that are currently underway,” stated Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano.

Additionally, the Town of Plymouth will also receive $250,000 for the ‘Plymouth Transformational Plan.’ These funds will be used to engage a community development consultant who will conduct a community-wide survey with the purpose of collecting data which will be used to enhance community and economic development in town.

Following the board’s approval, the governor will now determine whether to approve moving these applications forward. If approved, they will now be transferred to the State Bonding Commission for a final determination. The commission is scheduled to meet on Friday, March 31.