The state resurfaced 25 more miles of roadways than it did in 2014, and nearly 90 more miles than it did in 2013, Malloy said. The Department of Transportation has typically resurfaced between 225 to 250 miles of roadway annually. Connecticut spent $74.6 million on road resurfacing in 2015, an increase of $5.7 million over last year.
“Maintaining our roads and bridges is something that we take seriously. From the roads and bridges our residents drive on to the rails and stations that provide public transportation, these investments in infrastructure across our state and region drive growth, development and job creation,” Malloy said.
“A failure to make these critical investments acts as a drag on the economy and threatens the future of our state. Quite frankly, it’s one of the reasons we’re not excelling in growth is the underinvestment over the last 40 years in transportation,” he continued.
Malloy said that he hopes that the state will continue to increase the number of roads that get resurfaced next year. As part of his transportation plan he has urged the state legislature to create a transportation lockbox that ensure funds are in place to maintain and repair infrastructure.
He added that although the state has increased the amount it spends on transportation, Connecticut will likely be playing catchup for the next two decades.
However, Connecticut Construction Industries Association President Don Shubert thinks that the issues with the state’s transportation are fixable.
“There’s been a lot of talk about catching up with Connecticut’s transportation challenges, and I think everything that’s taken place this year just goes to show that we can get this job done,” Shubert said.
DOT Commissioner James Redeker praised the department and the contractors who worked to improve the conditions of the roadways.
“It’s really a pleasure to drive around on these incredibly new and improved, safer and smoother roads that have been the beneficiaries of what’s been a banner year for funding and a banner year for productivity,” Redeker said.
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