February 15, 2013

O’Dea Pushes for Bridge Project Streamlining

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HARTFORD- In an effort to save millions of dollars for local communities, especially New Canaan and Wilton, State Rep. Thomas O’Dea has proposed legislation to have state agencies work more efficiently with municipalities on various building projects, particularly bridge repair projects.

H.B. No. 5547, An Act Establishing a Task Force to Streamline the Process for Approving Bridge Projects would establish a task force to study and recommend strategies to streamline the process for approving bridge projects in the state. The task force would include representatives of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and shall submit proposals and recommendations to the General Assembly not later than January 1, 2014.

“The time delays alone with the different state agencies resulted in cost overruns in both New Canaan and Wilton transportation projects that have resulted in a significant hardship on taxpayers,” said Rep. O’Dea, a member of the Transportation committee.

In Wilton, the bridge over Bald Hill Road which was close to a $1 million project was forced to go through a very costly and highly inefficient bureaucratic process in order to complete the bridge. Also in New Canaan, the Lakeview Avenue Bridge Project had extensive cost overruns due in part to state requirements and inspection delays.

Rep. O’Dea said, “The Governor is addressing this issue as well and it is something that can save taxpayers millions at no cost to the state by simply working more efficiently and improving coordination with local officials. If the Governor’s program addresses all of our concerns, then the need of a task force may be eliminated but we need to hear more about the Governor’s program.”

At the public hearing, the South Western Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRPA) testified that, it may take up to 5 years to obtain approval and complete construction of a project, and that some of the municipalities’ smallest bridges do not qualify for funding, costing those towns more money than large span bridges.

Reps. O’Dea, Marra to Host Legislative Forum in Darien

HARTFORD – State Representatives Tracy Marra (R-141) and Deputy Republican Leader Tom O’Dea (R-125) are hosting residents from their districts for a legislative forum at the Darien Town Hall Room 119 on Tuesday, January 14th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Residents of the 141st and 125th districts looking for information about the 2025-2027 legislative session, or with questions about state government, are encouraged […]

January 3, 2025

Rep. Tom O’Dea Announces Funding for Local Infrastructure Upgrades in Stamford

State Local Bridge Project allocation includes two projects in Stamford STAMFORD – On Thursday, State Representative Tom O’Dea announced a new allocation of state funding from the CT Dept. of Transportation (CTDOT) to improve locally-owned bridges across Connecticut. The $15.8 million funding injection through the State Local Bridge Project will benefit 18 projects in Connecticut, […]

July 12, 2024