Our nation’s infrastructure has been in desperate need of repair for decades. Many have talked about getting it done. John and his colleagues followed through and delivered real results for the American people.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill is a historic victory for the country, and for Connecticut. It includes $6 billion in direct funding to our state, in addition to hundreds of billions in competitive grants. This funding is already being used to repair our roads and bridges, upgrade our public transportation, protect our water supply, and expand internet access across the state. Most importantly, it is boosting economic growth and creating good-paying, blue-collar union jobs for CT residents.
For Greater Hartford, the bipartisan infrastructure bill is truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity to correct the highway planning mistakes of 50 years ago, which have robbed our communities of their full potential. I-84 cuts North Hartford off from the rest of the city, depriving residents of economic opportunity and contributing to the 06120’s status as the poorest zip-code in Connecticut. While I-91 severely restricts access to the Hartford riverfront, one of the city’s most valuable resources. The I-84 and I-91 interchange is the No. 1 traffic congestion chokehold in New England, and the Bulkeley Bridge is the No. 3 chokehold for truck traffic.
John was the first to propose a bold vision to address these challenges. He’s worked tirelessly to bring together stakeholders in pursuit of that vision, developing a comprehensive, multimodal roadmap to reduce traffic, recapture the riverfront, and reconnect the North End. Now, thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, he’s delivered the funding needed to turn this roadmap into a reality.
Together, we can transform Greater Hartford and accomplish a 50-year goal to modernize our infrastructure. We can tackle the challenges of repairing our aging roads, bridges, and even the dangerously old levees that defend Central Connecticut from devastating floods. We’ve already made significant progress thanks to John and the unions, workers, and community leaders who stand alongside him.