Federal Grant Award Summary

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) received a $500,000 Project Grant awarded on February 13, 2026, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Temporary Bridge Program (CFDA 10.721), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The grant funds the establishment of a temporary bridge rental program designed to support active forest management and timber harvesting operations throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut Professional Timber Producers Association serves as the program administrator, responsible for acquiring, maintaining, and delivering temporary bridges and bridge mats to loggers and forest contractors. These portable crossing structures enable safe and cost-effective passage across streams, wet areas, buried energy pipelines, and other buried infrastructure during timber harvesting and skidding operations.

The program directly supports enhanced forest productivity and rural economic development by reducing operational barriers to timber production while minimizing environmental impact and safety risks. By providing access to temporary water crossing infrastructure, the program allows loggers to avoid stream bed disturbance, prevent mud tracking onto highways, and safely cross critical infrastructure without permanent ground modifications. The grant performance period extends through September 30, 2030, allowing for the sustained delivery of rental services and program maintenance across the state.