# Connecticut Awards $10.5M Trail Grants

On October 1, 2026, Connecticut announced approximately $10.5 million in grants for 50 recreational trail projects. Funding covers planning and design, construction, rehabilitation, accessibility improvements, and maintenance; 25 projects serve distressed municipalities or environmental justice communities. The announcement is a grant funding decision, not an open solicitation, so firms do not have a direct bid opportunity through this announcement. Instead, trail design, engineering, construction, accessibility, signage, and maintenance work may arise as awardees advance their projects.

- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection administers the program. Individual awards include $749,000 for the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway in Winchester and $505,000 for a multi-use trail connector in Avon.
- Engineering, construction, accessibility, and maintenance firms can use the award list to identify municipalities and organizations that may need implementation support; the 25 projects serving distressed or environmental justice communities may create geographically targeted work.
- Companies should approach the relevant grant awardees about project delivery needs rather than treating the announcement as a state-issued solicitation.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Environment
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 02, 2026

### Government Entities
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
- Connecticut State Bond Commission
- Connecticut Greenways Council

### Vendors
- Town of Winchester (grant awardee)
- Town of Avon (grant awardee)
- Western CT Council of Governments (grant awardee)
- Steep Rock Association (grant awardee)
- Trust for Public Land (grant awardee)

### Key Quotes
> These investments will improve access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, attract visitors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and help connect people to the communities where they live and work.
> — Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut

### Sources
- [Governor Lamont Announces State Grants for 50 Projects To Plan, Build, Expand, Restore, and Improve Recreational Trails Across Connecticut](https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/10-2026/governor-lamont-announces-state-grants-for-recreational-trails) - CT