CT Lawmakers And Mayor Announce $800k To Stamford For Disaster Resiliency Investment

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Joseph I. Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes, and Mayor Michael Pavia announced that the city of Stamford has been selected by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to receive $800,000 for disaster resiliency to upgrade the Dyke Lane Pumping Station, part of the Stamford Hurricane Barrier. 

The pump station keeps the Stamford Hurricane Barrier from failing, and protects the Harbor Point development and Southern Stamford from significant storm damage.  Currently, city officials risk life and limb to operate pumping stations during storms, but with the upgrade made possible from this funding, the pumping stations will be semi-automatic.

“Stamford is continuing to undergo a dramatic transformation as a financial hub for the east coast,  anchored on a $3.5 billion development project in the southern end of the city. Upgrading the Dyke Lane Pumping Station is essential to secure these critical investments in Connecticut’s future,” said Senator Lieberman.  “If Superstorm Sandy showed us anything, it is that storm surges along the northeast will continue to get worse, and now is the time to invest in infrastructure and assets like this.  I thank EDA Regional Director Willie Taylor for working with me on this matter.”

 “The EDA grant represents critical federal investment in flood control efforts that will protect lives and save taxpayer dollars in the long run by preventing future storm damage to homes and businesses in Stamford,” Senator Blumenthal said.  “As I recently urged the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, federal storm mitigation efforts should be a major priority.”

 “As we continue to recover from Sandy, we need to make long-term investments a priority,” Congressman Jim Himes said. “Projects like this that protect people, property, and businesses are prudent to help manage the twin challenges of our aging infrastructure and more frequent severe weather events.”

 “The Dyke Lane Pumping Station is at the heart of the City’s South End development.  I applaud EDA’s support in further protecting this vital economic driver for Stamford,” said Michael A. Pavia, Mayor.

 Senators Lieberman, Blumenthal, and Congressman Himes sent a letter to EDA earlier this year strongly supporting Stamford’s application.

 Stamford was selected by the EDA through a competitive application process, and the funding has been conditionally awarded.