$500,000 Grant Will Start Montville Road Bridge Project [with VIDEO]

Gov. Dannel Malloy came to Montville Wednesday to announce a grant that brings the town one step closer to completing a project that has been at the core of a few people's politics for a few years.

The $500,000 state grant is for the design of a culvert at the end of Montville Road. The design is a major part of the project to rebuild the bridge there, which was washed out in the flood of 2007. The bridge would connect Montville to Norwich behind the Big Y/ Wal-Mart complex on Route 82. The stream bed has been further damaged by repeated floods.

The grant, which comes from a program for small towns and cities, is only part of the funding for the project. Norwich must get involved, as well. Mayor Ron McDaniel said Wednesday that the towns are planning on working together on the project.

The repair of this bridge was one of McDaniel's top priorities as he ran for office.

It was also an ongoing concern and focal point for former Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz, as well. Jaskiewicz attended the ceremony Wednesday and said he was very happy.

"Good things come to those who wait," he said. "We kept submitting, submitting, submitting, and now the town's going to get $500,000. We worked hard on this."

McDaniel said that this project is something the town needs now, especially in light of

While repairing the Montville Road Bridge is a political accomplishment for two administrations, it is at the heart of the politicial career of Town Council member Dana McFee, who used to live in the neighborhood.

"This has been my baby," McFee said Wednesday. "This is why I got involved in politics.

"I started off with a 300-signature petition to get (the bridge repair) done, and then (the town council at the time) voted against it and I said 'Oh yeah? Well, let’s just see.'"

McFee said he's come to believe that there's a "Montville Road Bridge jinx."

"Two years ago," he said, "everybody that voted against it got voted out of office. That’s a fact. This past year, in the budget season, everybody voted for it except Ellen Hillman. And guess who didn’t get voted in? Ellen Hillman."

State representatives Kevin Ryan, Tom Reynolds and Elizabeth Ritter attended the ceremony, along with Sen. Andrea Stillman.

“This STEAP grant will help Montville underwrite the cost of this important project that might otherwise go unfunded in the town’s otherwise modest budget," Sen. Edith Prague said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“These improvements will have a daily positive impact on residents of the area,”  Ryan said. “Restoring this bridge to service means an increase in economic development and job opportunities in the region.”