Cathy Osten

Osten Annouces State Aid for Traffic Improvements Around RHAM Campus in Hebron

Hebron, CT—State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) announced today that the State Bond Commission is poised to release $1.3 million to the town of Hebron for traffic improvements around the RHAM Middle and High School campus along Route 316.

The $1.3 million in grant-in-aid will be used to address safety concerns stemming from recent tragic accidents in Hebron that resulted in two deaths, including a beloved teacher.

Sen. Osten submitted the request for this funding in March of 2015 for Fiscal Year 2016.

“I am thrilled that funding to address this critical traffic issue at RHAM is expected to be approved. The completion of this project will protect our students, RHAM faculty and other motorists on Route 316 from the currently dangerous situation that has led to unimaginable tragedy time and again,” said Sen. Osten, who has been working to secure the state aid over the last two years. “Traffic designs can be fixed. What you can’t fix is the pain our community has suffered repeatedly because of a flawed traffic system. I am grateful that the State Bond Commission sees the value in this important project.”

“Senator Osten has always been there for us, and in difficult financial times it’s a big boost in the arm for the town of Hebron and the Region 8 School District to get financial assistance to help with this project,” said Hebron Town Manager Andrew J. Tierney. “We want to thank Senator Osten, Governor Malloy, the Office of Policy and Management and the State Bonding Commission for making this possible. It is certainly a worthwhile cause and I really appreciate Hebron being considered for this funding.”

The State Bond Commission is scheduled to approve the Hebron bonding when it meets Friday, September 30, 2016 in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The plan calls for reconfiguring parking, providing additional parking, installing new and additional signage, relocating crosswalks, and the reworking of traffic control devices on and around the RHAM campus to improve pedestrian and motor vehicle safety.

RHAM serves students from the towns of Hebron, Andover and Marlborough.