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Governor Rell celebrates stimulus funding for New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line
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Jan 29, 2010 - 5:28 PM

Governor M. Jodi Rell today joined federal and state officials at Hartford’s Union Station to celebrate $40 million in federal stimulus funding for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield, Massachusetts rail line – money that will be used to double-track portions of the route, clearing the way for faster and more efficient passenger service.

“Over the last five years we have made tremendous strides in improving Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure, from new M-8 rail cars on Metro-North’s New Haven Line to new and rehabilitated stations and safety improvements on roads, highways and bridges all over the state,” Governor Rell said at a news conference with U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, state Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph F. Marie and others. “One other major project has been on our ‘wish list’ – and on the drawing board – for a very long time: A high-speed rail connection running up and down the ‘spine’ of our state.

“A high-speed commuter rail link between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield would relieve some of the pressure on Interstate 91, connect rail passengers with Bradley International Airport and bring new economic development to the heart of our state,” the Governor said. “The tracks are there and a handful of passenger trains run now, but our goal is real, viable commuter rail – trains running every half-hour during peak commuting times. That takes ‘double-tracking’ so that trains moving in opposite directions aren’t conflicting with each other. Now we have the funding we need to do much of the necessary work.”

The federal funding will be adding to $26 million in state funding approved earlier this month by the state Bond Commission.

Governor Rell, Senator Dodd and Commissioner Marie were joined at Union Station by U.S. Representative Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and Capitol Region Council of Governments Executive Director Lyle Wray.

The Governor emphasized that a regional, cooperative approach is essential to the success of the project, noting that Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick has been a key partner. The Governors wrote a letter last March to Amtrak President Joseph H. Boardman expressing their shared vision and outlining the benefits a reliable, high-speed service would bring to the “Knowledge Corridor” – the rail line between New Haven and St. Albans, Vt., and the numerous educational institutions in the area including Yale University, Dartmouth College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

“This is exceptional news,” Governor Patrick said. “The Knowledge Corridor is a cornerstone of our vision for regional rail and regional economic growth. This funding will support long-awaited improvements, create jobs and restore access to cities throughout the region.”

U.S. Representative John Olver (D-Mass.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, noted: “This project represents a significant investment in the region. Not only will it spur job creation, it will also provide an alternative transit option for commuters along the densely populated I-91 corridor.”

Last fall, at Governor Rell’s direction, the DOT applied for a share of the $8 billion the federal government was making available for high-speed rail projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). As part of its application, the state sought funding for double-tracking a 10-mile stretch of the corridor between New Britain and Newington.

Current plans for NHHS line call for bidirectional service between New Haven and Springfield running Monday through Friday on a 30-minute peak period schedule. The proposal would add several new stations and enhance the Windsor Locks station with a bus connection to Bradley International Airport. Local bus service elsewhere would be reconfigured to connect with passenger stations.

Future enhancements would include additional double-tracking to improve reliability.

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