Press releases
08/17/2022
Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Receives $20.4 Million Federal Grant to Modernize Bus System in Southeast Region
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation has received a $20,394,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to fund major capital improvements to the Connecticut Transit District the Southeast Area (SEAT).
The funds will be used to modernize the transit district’s 42-year-old maintenance facility in Preston and prepare it for the next generation of bus equipment and maintenance technology. It will also be used to purchase additional buses and establish a training program for SEAT operators and mechanics to learn about the next generation of bus equipment and technology.
Delivered under FTAs Bus Program and Bus Facilities and the Program for vehicles with low or zero emissionsthe grant is among the agency’s first competitive grants under the recently enacted Bipartisan infrastructure law. The programs support the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to expanding the nation’s transportation infrastructure, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs, and fighting climate change.
“This funding is directed toward a long-overdue upgrade and modernization of the bus system in southeastern Connecticut.” Governor Lamont said. “With continued investments in our infrastructure and transit facilities like this one we’re making for SEAT, we’re creating a more sustainable and reliable public transportation system in Connecticut. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act is a game-changer game for our state. Our congressional delegation helped push this bill forward, and its impact will be felt in Connecticut for generations to come.”
“This funding will bring Southeastern Connecticut’s transit system into the 21st century and ensure Connecticut residents have access to modern and reliable public transportation.” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “When we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act last year, we knew the legislation would deliver transformative results for Connecticut’s aging infrastructure. Not even a year after passage and we’re starting to see this vital legislation brings significant investment to our state.”
“A reliable and robust public transportation system helps connect communities, spur economic development, and reduce harmful carbon emissions.” said Senator Chris Murphy. “Thanks to federal funding secured by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, we’re making long-overdue upgrades to the bus system in southeastern Connecticut.”
“The new infrastructure bill is improving public transportation in Eastern Connecticut like never before.” said Congressman Joe Courtney. “For many older and working people, this upgrade will make the bus service more attractive and help overcome the ‘tyranny of distance’ which is a barrier to work and services for many in the region. A of the reasons I voted for the IIJA was its historic increase in support for public transit that extends better service to Connecticut’s more sparsely populated areas.”
“We are grateful for the continued partnership with the Federal Transit Administration, Governor Lamont and our congressional delegation, who are leading the push to invest in our public transportation systems, helping to get people out of their cars and mass transport”. Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said. “We have a strong public transport network, and these funds will help modernize facilities and bring additional buses into service. By investing in public transport, this grant will help us reduce emissions from the transport sector, advancing targets Connecticut Environmental.”
SEAT’s existing 30,000 sq ft Preston facility was built in 1980 and is used for bus storage, maintenance and administrative activities. Improvements that this grant will support include a complete remodeling of the current building along with a newly constructed 25,000 square foot garage. The project will include infrastructure and site improvements, electrical power improvements and maintenance shop improvements. With this funding, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and SEAT will continue design efforts for these capital renovations and plan to begin construction in 2024 with tentative completion expected in late 2025.
SEAT is a transit district that operates a public bus system in southeastern Connecticut. Although it relies primarily on state funding, it operates as a local government agency overseen by a board of directors made up of representatives from member cities, which include East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, Norwich, Stonington . and Waterford.
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