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Dear Friend,
After a busy week in eastern Connecticut, I’m here with an exciting update on the Connecticut River Bridge replacement and lots more from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Closing Out Summer with a Telephone Town Hall
First, thank you to the over 4,000 people who joined my telephone town hall on Wednesday. We discussed some of the top issues for eastern Connecticut and my work in Congress to address them. If you weren’t able to join the town hall, you can listen to the recording below.
Top of mind on Wednesday was the strong economic growth we continue to see across eastern Connecticut. The Groton shipyard and small business manufacturers across our region are expanding their workforce with good wages and long-term careers. I'm laser focused on keeping the momentum strong and bringing down everyday costs for workers, families, and seniors.
Breaking Ground on the CT River Bridge Replacement
After years of advocacy and new federal funding from the Infrastructure Law, yesterday in Old Lyme, we broke ground on the replacement of the 116-year-old Connecticut River Bridge.
My office has been leading federal efforts to support this project ever since the determination was made in 2006 that the bridge was structurally deficient. Every day, more than 50 total Amtrak and CTrail Shore Line East passenger trains and freight trains use the bridge. Amtrak’s construction of a new, modern, resilient, and moveable bridge will bring safer and faster rail travel connecting Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.
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| The new CT River Bridge is designed with a maximum operating speed of 70 mph, 55% faster than today’s maximum speed of 45 mph. Maritime navigation and safety will also improve due to additional vertical clearance compared with the existing bridge. |
Over the years, I’ve helped secure $956.4 million for this project – $826 million of which came through a federal Infrastructure Law grant that we announced in November of last year. Crucially, my office and I also secured a commitment from Amtrak that the bridge will be built under a Project Labor Agreement, guaranteeing that our local building trades union workforce will execute construction. This means Connecticut’s workers will benefit from the highest safety standards, good wages, and high-quality job training.
For a breakdown of my advocacy for the Connecticut River Bridge replacement, click here.
Visiting an Enfield Manufacturer
On Tuesday, I joined CONNSTEP for a visit to Phoenix Manufacturing in Enfield.
In 1989, Phoenix Manufacturing began as a two-person machine operation. Now, they have 60 employees in a 114,000 square foot facility, producing complex hardware for the aerospace industry and U.S. Navy Submarines. Thanks to the team at Phoenix for briefing me on their work.
Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Expands Services for Veterans
No one should worry about where their next meal will come from, especially those who've worn our nation's uniform. On Wednesday, I joined a ribbon cutting ceremony for Easterseals Veterans Rally Point's expanded food pantry in Norwich. The pantry, launched in partnership with the United Way of Southeastern CT Gemma E. Moran Food Center, provides no-cost food to veterans and family members.
Easterseals Veterans Rally Point is an excellent one-stop-shop for veterans to access a wide range of services. The pantry is open 10am-2pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday, and 4pm to 8pm on Wednesdays. Thank you to Easterseals Veterans Rally Point and United Way for hosting the wonderful event and thank you for meeting the needs of eastern Connecticut's veterans.
Supporting Prevention Efforts in Lyme & Old Lyme
I had a great visit yesterday to the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, a private non-profit providing services and afterschool programs for families in Lyme and Old Lyme. The Bureau has received Drug-Free Communities grant funding to support the Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition.
The addiction crisis has harmed all of our communities, and educating youth is one of the best ways to ensure the next generation understands the dangers of drug use.
Brining home federal resources to help our communities fight back against the addiction epidemic is a top priority for my office and I. In Congress, I will continuing to work for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program to receive full funding in federal budgets.
Celebrating Some of Our Navy's Newest Sailors
Last month, I had the honor of joining the graduation ceremony for 946 sailors at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. These new sailors completed a rigorous boot camp training program and will now play a critical role in carrying out the mission of the U.S. Navy.
Congratulations to these highly skilled, hard-working servicememebers and their families!
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| Watch the Bootcamp graduation ceremony here. |
During my visit, I also toured the battle station training vessel. Naval Station Great Lakes is the Navy's largest training installation and its only Bootcamp. Encouragingly, they are on track to hit their recruitment goal this year.
Warning: Phone Scam Targets Veterans
SPECIAL NOTE: I want to make you aware of a scam targeting veterans in Connecticut. A caller identifying themselves as the "Veterans Service Center" at 203-902-520 is cold calling veterans' home and cell phone numbers in an attempt to scam them.
If you receive a call from a number claiming to be the "Veterans Service Center", please use caution and do not provide any personal information. For help accessing veterans services, contact my Norwich office at (860) 886-0139.
Thank you for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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