(NEWINGTON, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced a major increase in funding for Connecticut’s Town Aid Road (TAR) grant program, with state support rising from $60 million under the previous biennial state budget to $80 million for fiscal years 2026-2027. This funding boost represents a 33% year-over-year increase that will directly support the state’s municipalities with the costs of local road paving, maintenance, and safety operations.
Speaking alongside Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, local officials, and legislators at a news conference that was held today at the Newington Highway Department, Governor Lamont emphasized the impact the increased funding will have on improving the quality and reliability of local roads and infrastructure.
“Everywhere I go in this state, people just want to know that we’re paving the damn roads — and I’m here to tell you, we’re getting that job done,” Governor Lamont said. “This increase in state funding for our municipalities is a real, boots-on-the-ground investment that helps towns repair roads faster, improve safety, and respond better to severe weather. It’s one more way our state is partnering with municipalities to improve the quality of life for residents and communities.”
The $80 million allocation marks the program’s largest investment in over a decade, reflecting strong bipartisan support for local infrastructure needs.
“With this increase, municipalities can do more paving, more repairs, and more preventative maintenance,” Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “This funding boost for towns and cities will improve road conditions and keep people safe across Connecticut.”
The TAR program provides direct funding to all 169 towns and 4 boroughs, with no local match required. Municipalities use the funds for a wide range of transportation-related needs, including road and bridge repair, snow plowing, tree trimming, traffic signal upgrades, and essential public transit services. Each municipality determines how to prioritize and deploy its TAR funding.
In Newington, where today’s news conference was held, TAR funding rose more than 35% in FY 2026-2027, from $411,996 to $557,838. Similar increases are being distributed statewide based on population and road mileage, ensuring all communities benefit from the expanded investment.
For more information on the TAR program, visit portal.ct.gov/dot/programs/town-aid-road-grants.