Council authorizes mayor to apply for Route 214 sidewalks, lighting and sewer extension grant

The council voted to authorize the mayor to submit a 2026 grant application to construct sidewalks and lighting along Colonel Ledyard Highway (Connecticut Route 214) between Town Hall North and the Route 214 intersection, and to include an engineered provision for a sewer extension in the corridor.

Project leads said the design is largely shovel-ready, with a preliminary estimate of $827,000 for the sidewalk and lighting work — above the program’s $600,000 threshold — and noted that a separate sewer construction estimate was roughly $950,000 for the full remaining connectivity, with the portion directly under the sidewalk representing a smaller fraction (estimated at a couple of hundred thousand dollars) that would need another funding source if the grant didn’t cover it. The town has submitted a pre-application and DOT provided preliminary comments. The council voted 7–0 to authorize the mayor to sign and submit the application.

Planning staff noted the extension will improve walkability in Ledyard Center, connect recent housing approvals to services and businesses, and could support economic activity by allowing residents to walk to grocery, town hall and other destinations.