Preston ― Preston will receive a $1 million state grant to rehabilitate Mathewson Mill Road that runs from Route 2 south into Ledyard.

The grant is part of $9 million in Transportation Rural Improvement Program grant awards announced by Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday. Preston, one of 10 towns to receive the TRIP grants, was awarded $1,007,874 to rehabilitate the 0.7-mile narrow, winding road.

The project calls for an extensive reconstruction of the roadway, improved drainage, replacement of a decaying double culvert over Shewville Brook, several other smaller culverts, new guardrails and widening in spots, said Jim Corley, Preston public works manager.

“The road was not constructed to current standards,” Corley said. “There’s a lot of settling, deterioration. We will align it better with consistent lane widths. It’s a safety-driven project.”

Corley said the grant should cover the entire cost, with the town already having paid for advanced engineering and design work for the culvert and roadway. When done, chevron and bicycle markings will be painted on the roadway for shared bicycle lanes. Corley said Mathewson Mill Road is a popular bicycle route between Preston and Ledyard. The work would be done either this summer or in 2025, he said.