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DOT details municipal grant programs, Town Road fund and bus modernization pilots
Summary
During the Feb. 3 oversight hearing DOT described municipal programs (Town Road program, Community Connectivity grants, LOTSIP/TRIP), Bridge grants and bus initiatives (bus‑stop enhancements, microtransit pilots, tap‑to‑pay pilots) and said application windows and awards are ongoing.
Connecticut Department of Transportation officials used their Feb. 3 oversight presentation to summarize programs that channel state and federal funds to municipalities and transit districts, and to outline bus modernization pilots intended to improve rider experience.
Commissioner Ukalito reminded lawmakers that the Town Road program currently distributes $60 million per year in state funding to local governments (split into semiannual payments) and is formula based, and that the Community Connectivity Grant program has awarded about $62 million to date with a new application round due May 21, 2025.
DOT explained program roles and recent rounds:
- Town Road Program: Approximately $60 million annually in state funds distributed by formula and paid twice yearly; funds can be used for eligible municipal projects.
- Community Connectivity Grant Program: Focus on pedestrian, bicycle and transit connectivity; DOT said 62 million has been awarded to date and the next application deadline is May 21, 2025.
- LOTSIP / TRIP / LASIP: DOT described LOTSIP as the local projects map and programming tool; TRIP was created to support urbanized areas and to address gaps for smaller communities; LASIP and the councils of governments (COGs) are used to rank and prioritize projects for federal and state funding.
- Bridge grant support for local bridges (state and federal local‑bridge programs): DOT emphasized a popular state local‑bridge program and federal local bridge formula funding established by the federal infrastructure law.
- Bus programs and technology pilots: DOT said it is investing more than $20 million in bus stop improvements and shelters statewide; the agency is piloting “tap and go” open‑loop payment in CT Transit Meriden and River Valley systems, running microtransit pilots in multiple regions, and deploying Wi‑Fi and device charging on local buses where equipment life cycles allow. DOT said express coach buses generally lack charging ports today but local buses increasingly include Wi‑Fi and charging.
DOT also said many municipal project proposals are evaluated through COGs, and the department has an intergovernmental unit to serve as a single point of contact for municipalities and legislators seeking assistance or grant information.
Why it matters: These programs provide the principal state funding streams for local road repairs, pedestrian and bicycle safety projects, municipal bridge repairs and bus service improvements. Timely application windows and state assistance matter for municipal capital planning and local project delivery.
Outlook: DOT said awards from closed application windows will be announced in summer 2025; the agency promised to provide maps and project lists to committee members showing where bus‑stop investments and connectivity grants will be deployed.
