West Hartford Getting Grant to Support EV Vehicles

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont Thursday announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation is awarding $24 million in federal funds to 10 transportation projects aimed at improving air quality in Connecticut, including one of West Hartford.

As part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (Improvement Program, Connecticut invests federal funds in local, cost-effective projects that will reduce vehicle exhaust emissions in areas of the state that do not attain national air quality standards, he said.

Lamont said CMAQ funds will be distributed to municipalities to support local projects, which include upgrading traffic signal technology and the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Modernized traffic signals use real-time traffic information to accommodate changing traffic patterns, which reduces unnecessary idling at traffic lights.

"These strategic investments will not only help eliminate traffic bottlenecks in certain communities and buildout electric vehicle chargers in others, but they will also help move Connecticut towards cleaner air and a cleaner transportation system," Lamont said. "Technology in transportation can help unlock climate solutions for our state. By reducing air pollution in communities most impacted by its harmful effects, we can better deliver transportation equity and ultimately, better health outcomes for the people of Connecticut."

CTDOT solicits municipal projects for the federal CMAQ program through the state’s metropolitan planning organizations and rural councils of governments, and awards funding based on project eligibility.

West Hartford is to receive $20,952 to support the purchase of the town’s first EV vehicles and charging station at the Town Hall for public use.