Completion of Broad Street Bridge & Streetscape Project in Time for Hartford Marathon

Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman today joined the Connecticut Department of Transportation and ING Hartford Marathon to announce the completion of the Broad Street Bridge and Streetscape section of the CTfastrak construction project in time for the running of the ING Hartford Marathon this weekend, which is expected to attract more than 40,000 participants and spectators to downtown Hartford.

"The timely completion of this construction project was critical in part to the success of this year's marathon.  I would like to thank our Connecticut Department of Transportation construction team, the contractors involved with the project, including their workers, and city of Hartford officials for helping to meet this important deadline," said Lieutenant Governor Wyman.

"This is just another example of how, by building a solid transportation infrastructure, a strong economic boost can follow, said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “ This weekend, we are going to welcome thousands of visitors to the capital region.  By expanding our transportation system in the months and years to come with CTfastrak, Connecticut's first bus rapid transit system, and the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail program, we're on the way to building an even stronger and more vibrant economy in central Connecticut.“

         Construction to replace the Broad Street Bridge and Streetscape project started in June 2012 and is estimated to cost $11 million.  The project includes replacement of the existing Broad Street Bridge over the Amtrak rail line, building of three new retaining walls and reconstruction of Broad Street from Capitol Avenue to Farmington Avenue which includes the streetscape and beautification elements.  The piers and substructure of the bridge were altered so that the CTfastrak transit service can operate along the Amtrak rail line.  The Broad Street project also included construction of a new parking lot located on Capitol Avenue between Broad and Flower Streets.  New wider sidewalks, landscaping and a rain garden were also part of the parking lot project.  Finishing touches to the Broad Street project, which includes final paving and line striping work will be completed in November.

Named the greenest marathon in America by The Council for Responsible Sport in 2009, the ING Marathon and Half Marathon will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 starting and ending in downtown Hartford. Over 60,000 people participate annually in Hartford Marathon Foundation events. For more information about the event, visit www.hartfordmarathon.com.

The CTfastrak guideway is being constructed on an abandoned railroad corridor from New Britain to Newington Junction and alongside the active Amtrak railroad right of way from Newington Junction to Hartford's Union Station. CTfastrak regional service will feature shuttle, express and feeder routes that directly access the dedicated guideway as well as connecting with all local bus routes in the New Britain, Hartford and Waterbury areas and with Amtrak service in Hartford and Metro-North Waterbury Branch rail service in Waterbury. As a result, the CTfastrak system will benefit a large geographic area and provide a one-seat, no transfer ride to regional employment, shopping and healthcare destinations. The CTfastrak bus rapid transit system will open for service in early 2015.  For general information about CTfastrak, connect via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ctfastrak, Twitter @ctfastrak or visit www.ctfastrak.com.