Courtney Helps Pass Infrastructure Package that Makes Major Investments in Eastern Connecticut

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act (H.R. 3684). The bill comprises the House's five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs and contains $715 billion in federal funding to improve and repair America's highways, bridges, rail, public transportation, and water infrastructure—representing the goals of President Biden's American Jobs Plan with respect to surface transportation. Within the total, the measure also includes $168 billion to improve America's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

For the State of Connecticut, the INVEST in America Act would result in a $1.4 billion, or almost 40%, increase in annual federal highway and transit funding over the next five years, as compared to Fiscal Years 2017-2021. As the authorizing bill, this measure would provide the foundation for any additional infrastructure deal, and injects significant funding into the state's transportation planning that will free up resources to move projects along, get work moving, and create jobs.

"My office has heard from thousands of people in eastern Connecticut who want Congress to work together to reinvest in our aging infrastructure," said Rep. Courtney. "The INVEST in America Act would provide our state with the funding we need to complete some of our biggest and most important infrastructure priorities, creating jobs and giving a boost to every single family and business entity that uses our highways and bridges. After working side by side with our local elected officials on both sides of the aisle, the bill now officially includes targeted investments for local projects here in eastern Connecticut, too. When we see the scaffolding for long-awaited repairs start to go up at the Gold Star Bridge, when we watch local landmarks like the Haddam Swing Bridge and the Essex River Road Bridge start getting the upgrades they need, remember that the INVEST in America Act is what's giving us the ability to get it all done. This is a great bill for eastern Connecticut, and I was proud to help get the job done in the House today. Now, the Senate needs to follow our lead."

In addition to increased federal transportation funding for the state of Connecticut, the INVEST in America Act also includes smaller amounts of targeted funding for local projects requested by House Members, known as "Member Designated Projects". Click here to read more.

Rep. Courtney's six Member Designated Projects included in the INVEST in America Act would bring $17.8 million in targeted federal infrastructure investment home directly to eastern Connecticut. The funding would go towards a variety of infrastructure improvements across CT-02, including bridge improvements in East Haddam and in Essex, pedestrian safety improvements in Mansfield, revitalization of walking and hiking trails in Plainfield, and more. Rep. Courtney's Member Designated Project requests included in the bill are:

• $1.2 million in support for the Coventry Main Street Sidewalk Project, sponsored by the Town of Coventry
• $4.9 million in support for the New London Pedestrian Bridge and Public Access Project, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
• $5 million to complete the East Haddam/Haddam Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Project, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Transportation
• $2.4 million to complete the Essex River Road Bridge and Sidewalk Project, sponsored by the Town of Essex
• $2.3 million for Pedestrian Safety Improvements along CT-195 (Storrs Road), sponsored by the Town of Mansfield
• $2.2 million to revitalize the Quinebaug River Trail in Plainfield, sponsored by the Town of Plainfield

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