Salem to Receive State Grant to Support Darling Road Bridge Restoration

The Town of Salem has been approved to receive $372,000 in state funding for the rehabilitation and restoration of the bridge on Darling Road. This will be matched by $97,600 from the town.

The grant is provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

“This is wonderful news for Salem, thanks to a great team effort on the local level and at the state Capitol,” said Salem First Selectman Ed Chmielewski. “Securing this investment in our critical infrastructure from the state will help make needed improvements along Darling Road. I want to thank the state for this grant approval and all those in town who worked together on this effort, including Sen. Formica and Rep. Cheeseman for their constant support of Salem and their advocacy for the needs of our town, our families and our businesses.”

“The rehabilitation and repair of the bridge on Darling Road is precisely the type of capital improvement we should be funding with the Small Town Economic Assistance Program,” said Representative Holly Cheeseman (R-37). “This program makes sure Connecticut’s small towns aren’t left behind when it comes to state funding and that local property taxpayers don’t have to foot the entire bill for worthy projects. First Selectman Chmielewski and his Town Hall Staff deserve the credit for pursuing this grant and thinking long-term about the town’s infrastructure needs.”

“I thank the state for recognizing the value of investing in our roads and bridges to ensure safe and reliable infrastructure,” said Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Paul Formica (R-20). “The rehabilitation and restoration of this bridge will help improve safety and make necessary maintenance updates in the area. This is another example of great collaboration and advocacy on behalf of the Salem community to secure this helpful state investment for our community.”