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April 26, 2023

CT Port Authority announces $5M for harbor improvements

CTMIRROR.ORG Gov. Ned Lamont and David Kooris, the chairman of the CT Port Authority, tour the State Pier in New London in March 2022.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The Old Saybrook-based Connecticut Port Authority announced Monday it has designated more than $5 million in grants to support waterfront improvement projects in six municipalities. 

The nine public access projects are in Branford, Stamford, Norwich, Stonington, Stratford and Norwalk.

The grant funding, which totals $5,043,856, comes through the authority’s Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program, which supports municipal harbor projects such as boat ramps, piers and wharves. It is geared specifically for harbors outside the state’s three biggest, which are in New Haven, Bridgeport and New London.

Interim CPA Executive Director Ulysses Hammond said this week he is proud of the authority’s role in “making it easier for families, tourists and boaters to enjoy the water.”

“Increasing public access to the water is an important aspect of the Port Authority’s responsibility,” Hammond added.

The state Bond Commission approved the funds in late 2022, based on the Port Authority’s recommendation.

The municipalities and projects include:

Branford, $1 million 

  • $1 million toward the Branford Point Wharf at the mouth of the Branford River. The wharf provides public access to the shore area and provides access to recreational boaters and tour boats. The existing wharf and seawall will be demolished and rebuilt.

Stamford, $3.352 million

  • $3,095,520 for Cove Island Marina dredging to improve boating conditions. Cove Park and Marina serves as a location for emergency services facilities and equipment. The project aims to improve harbor access for emergency responders.

  • $236,500 for final engineering design and permitting costs for the in-water elements of the redevelopment of Cummings Marina. The project is aligned with the 2015 Cummings Park and West Beach Master Plan. The new marina will accommodate 100 slips intended for small recreational powerboats. A pump-out station will be included. 

  • $20,000 for a Stamford Inner Harbor Boat Launch Feasibility Study intended to evaluate four potential boat launch sites.

Norwich, $334,489

  • $289,490 to replace the main docks around the shore of Brown Park and smaller docks at the boat launch ramp. The project will include installation of an 80-foot ramp to accommodate people with disabilities. 

  • $45,000 for design and permit work required to enhance a deteriorated section of the Heritage Riverfront Walkway Overlook along the east shore of the Yantic Branch of the Yantic River.

Stonington, $250,000

  • $250,000 to cover planning, design, engineering and permit fees in advance of rebuilding the North Pier of the Town Dock. The facility is leased to the Southern New England Fishermen and Lobstermen’s Association. Two wholesale fish markets also operate from the Town Dock. The 330-foot pier needs maintenance and repair work. This project will enhance the pier’s resilience to sea level rise and coastal storms.

Stratford,  $63,345 

  • $63,345 for a multi-agency emergency service dock estimated at $79,182. The project would modify an existing town-owned pier, which provides public access to the Housatonic River for recreational boating and fishing and docking for a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. Modifications would allow the Stratford Fire Department to relocate two emergency vessels to the pier from upriver. The relocation will allow quicker access to the lower Housatonic River and Long Island Sound for emergency responders.

Norwalk, $44,000

  • $44,000 for a Norwalk Harbor Access Study of 16 city-owned street ends for improved public access to the east and west shorelines of the inner harbor. 

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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