Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today continued his push to expand rail service between New Haven, CT and Springfield, MA, and applauded the State Bond Commission’s approval of $260 million.
“For years, we have all been working to secure funds to expand rail service in this corridor, which will not only help people commute back and forth but will create jobs, build our state’s infrastructure, and invest in the long-term economic growth of all of Connecticut,” said Dodd. “I will continue to work to with federal and state officials to make the region’s vision for high-speed, intercity and commuter rail service a reality for the people of Connecticut.”
The bond approval will support Connecticut’s high-speed intercity passenger rail application for $220 million in federal funds and enable the state to move forward with commuter rail service along the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield corridor.
As the Chairman of the Committee with jurisdiction over public transportation, Dodd has been a leading advocate for the development of the Tri-City Corridor rail line, which would establish both faster intercity and commuter rail service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, providing residents of central Connecticut with better access to New York City, western Massachusetts and Vermont. Dodd has helped secure millions of dollars in federal funding for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line. Dodd secured $3.9 million in Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) planning funds and supported the Administration’s decision to award $40 million dollars in Recovery Act funds to Connecticut for double-tracking between New Britain and Newington.
Dodd chaired a Banking Committee field hearing in New Haven last year on improving Connecticut’s transportation system, including the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line. Earlier this year, Dodd brought Department of Transportation Secretary LaHood, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Szabo, and FTA Administrator Rogoff to Connecticut to ride the train from New Haven to Hartford and meet with Governor Rell and other state and congressional leaders about the high-speed rail project. Most recently, Dodd led a 20 member Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont congressional delegation letter in support of the states’ high-speed rail application.
