HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative John B. Larson (D-Conn.-01) on Monday joined Governor Ned Lamont, CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam to announce $2 million in federal funding for the Connecticut Department of Transportation for the City Link – Reconnecting North Hartford planning study. The federal funding comes from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

"This project is about more than just rebuilding roads in Hartford—it’s about unlocking opportunities for local communities and creating a more connected future,” said Murphy. “This $2 million in federal funding will help improve traffic flow on I-84 and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, while opening up space for affordable housing and strengthening our neighborhoods' resilience to climate change for generations to come," said Murphy.

“This $2 million in federal funding is a significant milestone for North Hartford, signaling strong support to reconnect a neighborhood that has for far too long been disconnected and divided. This investment supports a collaborative and inclusive vision that will revitalize the community, create good-paying jobs, and provide relief for residents. I’m proud to have fought for this funding and will continue to work to deliver federal resources that encourage economic development across our state,” said Blumenthal.

“With its focus on reconnecting communities, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed in Congress has created an opportunity to end the racial isolation in North Hartford and build a transportation system that connects residents across the Capitol Region,” said Larson. “By funding engineering efforts to realign and cap Interstate 84 in Hartford, this $2 million federal investment will move us one step close to finally fixing the egregious design flaws that have robbed our communities of their potential for far too long. Revitalization will not happen overnight, and it remains one of my top priorities to correct the injustices of the past by securing funding to modernize infrastructure and promote economic opportunity for the residents of North Hartford,” said Larson.

“As we are making necessary upgrades to our infrastructure, we should use this as an opportunity to review how our highways are impacting the local host communities and make adjustments that think ahead for long-term improvements with an eye toward economic growth for people who live in these neighborhoods. Our interstates have divided Hartford’s North End from the rest of the city for generations now, and this study will give those who live in the area a voice in how we can improve these roads so they work for everyone,” said Lamont.

“Funding for this study will help us advance the recommendations in the Greater Hartford Mobility Study as we look to reconnect the North End of Hartford to downtown, and undo some of the disruptions caused by the current highway system. Thank you to USDOT, Secretary Buttigieg, and our Congressional Delegation for the ongoing support on this project,” said Eucalitto.

"The City Link project represents a critical opportunity to heal historical divides in North Hartford. By reimagining our infrastructure, we're not just rebuilding roads, but reconnecting communities and creating pathways for economic opportunity. This $2 million federal investment will help us address long-standing inequities and give North Hartford residents a voice in shaping their neighborhood's future," said Arulampalam.

The City Link – Reconnecting North Hartford planning study would complete collaborative visioning and analysis and preliminary engineering for the realignment, lowering and capping of Interstate 84 and the Hartford Line rail corridor in Hartford. The surrounding neighborhoods have long experienced historic disinvestment and are home to disadvantaged communities that have borne the brunt of the negative effects associated with the construction of the original highway in the mid-20th century.

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