FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2009
CONTACT:
Paul
Mounds/ 860-278-8888
Larson, Murphy
Announce $750,000 for Torrington’s Downtown Redevelopment Project
Washington,
D.C. – Last night, The House of Representatives passed legislation that
includes a $750,000 grant for the City of Torrington’s Main Street Realignment
Project, an effort which will make the downtown business and entertainment
district safer for residents by building new roadways and intersections.
Currently, The Connecticut Department of Public Safety grades the intersection
with near failing grade of “D” for vehicular traffic disruptions and overall
risk to public safety.
Both
U.S. Congressmen John B. Larson (CT-01) and Chris Murphy (CT-05) advocated for
the inclusion of the funding for Torrington in the House Transportation, Housing
and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations bill.
“The
reconfiguration of Downtown Main Street is essential to the Torrington’s
redevelopment efforts. Currently, the city’s downtown intersection ranks as one
of the most dangerous roads in the state. With public attractions, businesses,
and educational institutions, Downtown Torrington is a heavily congested area
within the city. This funding is
essential to the city’s economic development and to ensuring the public safety
of visitors and local residents,” said Congressman Larson.
“Downtown
Torrington is a great place to catch a show at the Warner or grab dinner at one
of its many great restaurants. But as
more people utilize what the city has to offer, the traffic increases. This road project will alleviate a lot of the
gridlock we see now, and make it safer for pedestrians,” said Murphy.
The
City of Torrington is currently in the process of redeveloping its downtown
district. A major component of these redevelopment efforts includes
reconfiguring the existing roadway on Main Street to be both pedestrian- and
vehicle-friendly. Furthermore, the realignment of Main Street will improve
public safety and meet state-imposed standards on safety and traffic flow.
Downtown Torrington is home to many small and emerging businesses, UConn’s Torrington
Campus, and the Warner Theatre.
Earlier
in the year, both Congressmen Larson and Murphy met with Torrington Mayor Ryan
Bingham in Washington, D.C. to discuss the downtown redevelopment project and
the overall benefits of growing the economy in Torrington and Litchfield
County.
The
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill that will
make targeted investments to provide short term housing and job relief to those
hurt most by the economic downturn, as well as long-term solutions like
improving our national infrastructure to
put our economy on sound footing for the future. It invests in the next generation of
high-speed passenger and commuter rail service to increase access to public
transportation, save consumers money, and help wean us off of our addiction to
foreign oil. In addition, the bill
invests in grant programs that will revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic
development in vacant commercial and industrial sites and improve our nation’s
aging highway system to make transportation safer and more efficient.
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