CTDOT Press Conference at Stratford Train Station, August Primary Election Information, Paraeducator Preparation Academy, and more

July 31, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you and your family are staying dry this week! Remember to be careful of flash flooding when driving, and always turn around, don't drown.

In this week's email, you can read about a press conference I attended Monday at the Stratford Train Station announcing updates for our railroad infrastructure and improved service times for riders, learn about the upcoming primary election on August 11th, read about National Farmers' Market Week, and more.

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you. Call my office at any time at 860-240-8585 or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.

CTDOT Press Conference at Stratford Train Station Groundbreaking Ceremony for TIME-1

Can you imagine a shorter train ride to NYC and along the New Haven Line?

This Monday, I joined Governor Ned Lamont and CTDOT, along with our Federal, State, and local elected officials at the Stratford Train Station for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on TIME-1, the largest component to date of TIME FOR CT.

TIME-1 is expected to deliver one of the largest rail improvement upgrades in recent state history.

The three-phase, $1.6 billion TIME-1 project will modernize critical sections of the New Haven Line, creating the infrastructure necessary to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable rail service between New Haven and New York City. The New Haven Line is the busiest individual commuter rail line in the United States.

The first phase of the TIME-1 project focuses on a three-mile section of track between Bridgeport and Stratford. Crews are installing new catenary structures that power trains, adding turnouts to the East Bridgeport Rail Yard, replacing the Longbrook Avenue Bridge in Stratford, upgrading track and signal infrastructure, and adding new track connections to improve train operations through the corridor. The first phase is a $340.7 million project that will support approximately 125 jobs. Funding includes $184 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, $145.5 million from the State of Connecticut, and $11.2 million from Amtrak.

August Primary Election Information

Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, August 11, in municipalities where more than one candidate from the same political party has qualified for a particular office.

The primary will be preceded by seven days of early voting, August 3 through August 9. Early voting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on August 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9, and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 4 and 6.

For additional election information and resources, click here to visit the Secretary of State's election webpage.

If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, you no longer need to provide a specific reason to request one for any primary or election.

Click here to access the absentee ballot request portal.

Connecticut has a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in a primary must enroll in a political party by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the primary (August 10), provided they have been unaffiliated for at least three months.

Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr.

Registration is Now Open for Connecticut’s New Paraeducator Preparation Academy

Registration for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s newly launched Paraeducator Preparation Academy is now open.

This is a free, six-week program to prepare aspiring paraeducators for the ParaPathways assessment required for employment in Connecticut. Instruction will be provided by certified bilingual educators, covering the full cost of study materials and the exam, and offering Spanish-language support.

The inaugural pilot session will begin on August 17^th and will run through September 23^rd. The program will be held at the Leaders for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD) Center in East Hartford.

Registration is open now through the first day of class (August 17^th). Once the session reaches capacity, additional applicants will be placed on a wait list and notified of future academy offerings. Additional sessions across Connecticut are planned to begin this fall.

The academy will connect participants who successfully complete the program and pass the ParaPathways assessment with districts seeking to hire paraeducators. Once employed, participants are paired with experienced mentor paraeducators as they begin their careers.

Click here to visit the Paraeducator Preparation Academy webpage to learn more and register.

Connecticut Farmers Market Week

I am proud to recognize next week, August 2nd to 8th, as Connecticut Farmers Market Week, in conjunction with National Farmers Market Week.

Farmers markets are more than places to shop — they strengthen our local economy, support family farms, improve access to fresh, healthy food, and create vibrant community gathering spaces. Every purchase made at a farmers market helps sustain Connecticut agriculture and keeps food dollars circulating in our local communities.

I also want to recognize the important work of the Connecticut Farmers Market Association, a relatively new nonprofit organization created by farmers market managers from across our state. Formed with the encouragement of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the Association provides education, networking, and advocacy to help farmers markets thrive and address shared challenges. Their work strengthens markets across Connecticut and creates even greater opportunities for our farmers to reach consumers.

I encourage everyone to celebrate Connecticut Farmers Market Week by visiting a local farmers market, meeting the farmers who grow our food, and supporting the businesses that make our agricultural heritage so strong. Together, we can continue investing in local agriculture, healthy communities, and a resilient food system.

Here in the 120th District, we are lucky to have the Paradise Green Farmer's Market every Monday, from 2 to 6 pm, featuring many different local farmers and products.

In addition, please click the link for farmers markets in the state.

CT DoAg and CT DPH Address Cyclosporiasis Concerns

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) are reminding residents to take precautions with the current Cyclosporiasis outbreak.

While cases of Cyclosporiasis have been reported in Connecticut, at this time, there is no indication that Connecticut farms are the source of this outbreak. With the increase in cyclosporiasis cases, many shoppers are wondering how to stay safe while enjoying fresh summer produce.

One of the best choices you can make is shopping local. CT farms and farmers’ markets offer fruits and vegetables grown and handled by farmers who take pride in feeding their families and their community.

DPH also encourages residents to follow simple steps at home to reduce potential risk:

Wash all fresh produce under clean running water before eating, even if you plan to peel it.
Choose whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed bagged salad mixes. Remove and discard the outer two to three layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water.
Wash cilantro, basil, and green onions thoroughly under running water, separating leaves. These items are safest when cooked.
Cook produce when possible. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
Wash hands with soap and water before eating, and clean kitchen surfaces and cutting boards before and after preparing food.

For more information on Cyclospora, visit the FDA webpage.

Connecticut DCP Home Improvement Assistance

If you recently have or are looking to hire a contractor for home improvement projects, it is important to know the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has tips and assistance for residents.

In Connecticut, all Home Improvement Contractors, New Home Construction Contractors, and Home Improvement Salespeople must be registered with the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). To avoid hiring an unqualified individual and/or business, homeowners can verify registration through eLicense, a statewide portal. Click here to visit eLicense.

DCP has a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund to assist residents who had a poorly completed or uncompleted home improvement project. This fund was created and is replenished from annual assessments of registered contractors, and can be used to help satisfy an unpaid judgment (or court-confirmed arbitration decision) to a homeowner. A homeowner may be eligible for up to $25,000 from the Fund if they had hired a registered home improvement contractor and the resulting problem meets certain criteria. NOTE: The Guaranty Fund does not cover New Home Construction. Click here to learn more about the eligibility requirements and how to apply.

CT Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority Graduate Loan Program

Back in October 2025, when the federal Department of Education announced plans to drastically limit graduate student loan eligibility and reclassify certain professional degrees, I immediately began pushing for our state to step up. During this legislative session, I worked with the Higher Education Committee Chairs and a strong coalition of professional organizations, unions, and higher ed advocates to include $30 million for CHESLA in the budget. This historic investment in the program is the first of its kind in the country to help combat the federal government's harmful decision and provide financial assistance to graduate students.

The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) has officially launched the MyCHESLA Grad Loan program.

The MyCHESLA Grad Loan is a new state-based graduate loan program designed to preserve access to affordable, fixed-rate financing for Connecticut students pursuing advanced degrees following the elimination of the federal Grad PLUS loan program, effective July 1. CHESLA’s new graduate loan program supports students enrolled in both graduate and professional degree programs.

Borrowers can choose from repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, along with flexible in-school repayment options, including interest-only payments, full deferment, or immediate principal-and-interest payments. Combined, these options provide borrowers with nine fixed-rate offerings tailored to meet a range of financial needs.

Importantly, all approved borrowers have equal access to the same nine fixed rates, ensuring a transparent, fair, and consistent pricing structure.

Fixed interest rates for the MyCHESLA Grad Loan range from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the selected repayment term and in-school repayment option. The program offers a cost-effective, borrower-focused alternative to higher-cost private student loans, with every available fixed rate remaining below the current federal Grad PLUS loan rate of 8.94%.

Click here to learn more about CHESLA’s loan programs, financial education resources, and application process.

Stratford/CTDOT Updates

Bridge Deck Replacement on Route 15:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will complete bridge deck replacements for various bridges, including on Route 15 in Stratford, as a follow-up to pavement preservation, which excluded bridges. The project ensures bridges remain in good repair.

MERRIT PARKWAY LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

Motorists can expect lane closures at the following locations:

Route 15 North Exit 33 to Exit 38 in Milford, Stratford, and Trumbull, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday
Route 15 South from Exit 33 to Exit 38 in Milford, Stratford, and Trumbull, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday

The project's estimated completion date is November 28th, 2026.

Noise Barrier Replacement on I-95:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has started noise barrier replacement on I-95 between Exits 32-33 in Stratford. This project is expected to be completed next year, in April 2027.

The barrier has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacement. The barrier is being replaced to conform to current standards, which are in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) MASH standards. The existing timber noise barriers have wood rot, broken or missing panels in many areas, as well as vegetative overgrowth.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

Motorists can expect lane closures on I-95 northbound at Exits 32 and 33 in Stratford beginning Wednesday. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. Lane closure operations will generally be limited to off-peak and nighttime hours. No lane closures will be permitted during weekday morning and afternoon peak travel periods (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). During daytime hours, work will primarily consist of shoulder closures only. One lane closure may occur during late morning and evening hours. During the overnight hours, up to two lane closures are permitted, and rolling roadblocks may occur.

The work schedule for this project is from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Stratford Community Updates

It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.

Do you need a Town of Stratford beach sticker? Check the flyer below for everything you need to know!

Join the Stratford Library Summer Reading Challenge happening now through August 15th. Click here for more information.

The New Paradigm Theatre will hold a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on August 7th-9th at Stratford High School. Visit Nptheatre.org for more information and tickets.

Stratford PAL will hold a FREE Women's Self-Defense Class on August 8th, from 2 to 4 pm. Click here to register.

Make sure your child is ready for the first day of school by staying up to date on their required immunizations. The Stratford Health Department is offering Back-to-School Immunization Clinics for students under age 19.

Clinic Dates:

Thursday, August 6 | 3:00–6:00 PM
Tuesday, August 11 | 3:00–6:00 PM