Transportation

This bill amends a prior agreement to transfer a 1-acre state-owned land parcel in Bridgeport to the Bridgeport Port Authority for free, covering only administrative costs. The land, located near Interstate 95 and Stratford Avenue, must be used for economic development or waterfront projects, with any future sales or leases requiring fair market value pricing and proceeds going to the state's Transportation Fund. The Department of Transportation must also grant the Port Authority a right of way to access the property, while the State Properties Review Board must approve the transfer within 30 days.

This bill expands how Connecticut towns can use Town Aid Road grant money, allowing them to purchase and maintain equipment like snow plows, street sweepers, and vegetation management tools in addition to building and repairing roads. The legislation directs $12.5 million annually from the Department of Transportation to these road-related projects, including new provisions for climate resilience measures such as flood protection and extreme heat mitigation. Towns that receive these funds must submit annual reports on how they spend the money, or face a ten percent reduction in future grants. The Office of Policy and Management retains the ability to approve alternative uses of the funds beyond those explicitly listed in the bill.