CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: December 5, 2014

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its five-year Capital Plan – covering fiscal years 2015-2019 and including projects in all modes of transportation – highways and bridges, public transportation, ports and waterways and bicycle/pedestrian enhancements.  DOT updates the plan annually detailing spending plans for 2015 and planned investments through 2019.

The DOT anticipates $1.7 billion in total Capital Program funding in federal fiscal year 2015, which began October 1. This amount includes approximately $500 million for bus and rail assets and $1.2 billion available for highway and bridge infrastructure.  The Department anticipates about $39 million in maritime funding.

During the 2015 fiscal year, the Department anticipates bidding more than 90 projects at roughly $525 million in contract value.  That equates to nearly $660 million in total construction costs (including inspection services, e.g.) that the Department will deliver this year.

“The Department has leveraged state and federal resources to advance the largest construction programs in recent years,” said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “Investment in transportation is an investment in our economy and creates thousands of jobs in Connecticut.”

Along with the Capital Program, the Department is releasing a report entitled, “Optimizing the State of Connecticut: Transportation Capital Infrastructure Program, December 2014.”  The report reviews the performance of the DOT in delivering capital investments. The goal, Commissioner Redeker noted, is to optimize the capital funding for all its transportation modes and to improve continuously its ability to deliver maximum infrastructure improvements for each dollar expended.  The Department is achieving this by delivering projects on time and on or under budget.  Continuously improving project delivery and using innovative construction techniques also have increased the DOT’s capacity to provide the state with higher quality transportation improvements that maximize the state’s return on its investment.