The Connecticut Road Builders Association recently hosted is fall meeting with the help of U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman and Connecticut Speaker of the House of Representatives James Amann.

At the meeting, members of local business groups, chambers of commerce, labor organizations and public policy groups gathered to discuss a transportation plan for Connecticut that includes increasing investment in every mode of transportation as well as infrastructure maintenance programs.

Senator Lieberman—who is also second in seniority on the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee that oversees highway transportation in the US Senate—addressed 250 attendees and recommitted his support for investments in a first-class transportation system in Connecticut, according to the CT Road Builders Association.

“I am committed to fighting for federal funding to support improvements to our state’s infrastructure so we can energize economic development and provide assistance to worthy community initiatives,” Senator Lieberman said. “I will continue to work to fund projects that will expand transportation options for Connecticut residents, and will do so in a manner that is environmentally responsible.”

Speaker Amann, emphasized the state-funded transportation initiative, Fix It First, “which will invest $150 million to accelerate rehabilitation of roads and bridges,” he said. “I am proud that the Legislature has approved over $4 billion for transportation infrastructure improvements in Connecticut since 2005. If we want to be a cutting-edge economy and enjoy a high quality of life, we must do more to deliver people and goods reliably.”

“It is great to see two of the driving forces behind federal and state transportation initiatives at the event together on such an important issue,” said Don Shubert, executive secretary of the Connecticut Road Builders Association. “Everyone in attendance envisions a bright future for Connecticut, and we understand that we have to create a safe, modern, transportation system to achieve that vision.”

The Greater New York Construction User Council recently celebrated and honored outstanding development projects in the tri-state area.

GNYCUC honored two historic New York City landmarks, The Gramercy Park Hotel and The Plaza Hotel, which have recently undergone major renovations. The other two properties honored were The Standard Hotel New York and the Trump SoHo, both are new projects currently under construction. Project team members accepted awards for the four hospitality projects.

The New York City development community including owners and developers as well as engineers, architects and contractors attended the reception at the Emigrant Bank Sea Level Café in New York City.

New York-based union carpentry contractor Ronsco, Inc. recently raised over $60,000 for the 2007 Annual Autism Speaks “Walk Now for Autism” event held in the Battery Park area of New York City.

In total, participants in the 5K walk raised over $1 million to fund medical research for the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism, as well as to raise public awareness about the disorder.

Ronsco is a member of the New York City and Vicinity Carpenters Labor-Management Corporation as well as the Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries.

“We are pleased to participate in this charitable initiative and to support Autism Speaks,” said Joseph Olivieri, executive director of the Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries and a trustee who serves on the Labor-Management Corporation’s Board of Directors. “Union Carpenters and Contractors are committed to working as a strong labor-management team and to give back to our communities.”

The Board of the Dormitory Authority of New York State recently approved resolutions to sell bonds to build and renovate multiple buildings in New York as well as to refinance debt to save money for DASNY client institutions.

Colleges, universities and hospitals are included in the final approval for refinancing.

New York University will be able to sell $485 million of its bonds. Approximately $210 million of the sale funds will be used to renovate an existing office building, $50 million to renovate two of its law school facilities, $30 million to renovate Brown and Silver buildings and $125 million will be used for various maintenance, renovation and information technology projects at the Washington Square Campus.

Columbia University received approval to sell $400 million of its bonds. Proceeds will be used for construction of the University’s new Science Center and Geochemistry Building on the Morningside Campus as well as improvements to Knox Hall and McVicar Hall.

The Pratt Institute will be able to sell $110 million of its bonds, $37.5 million of which will be used to construct a new multi-level academic and administrative facility and $1.2 million will be dedicated to campus renovations.

Cornell University can now sell $150 million of its bonds to start various construction and renovation projects on the campuses.

The State University of New York University Hospital at Syracuse, Montefiore Medical Center and Nassau County Board of Cooperative Services also received approval to sell bonds and use funds for renovation and construction.