BRIDGEPORT, CT — Governor Ned Lamont and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation announce that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding Connecticut approximately $291 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will be used for railroad improvements at five projects across the state.
The grants, which are being awarded to the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Amtrak, are funded through the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program. Connecticut’s share of funding represents 20 percent of the total $1.4 billion in grants the FRA awarded for rail projects along the Northeast Corridor.
This NEC Federal-State Partnership investment will be matched by $120 million in state funds from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Additionally, Amtrak is contributing $11.7 million toward the projects.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was overwhelmingly approved by Congress to modernize our nation’s infrastructure and strengthen our transportation system, including railways," Lamont said. "The projects these grants are funding will help pull Connecticut’s rail system into a new era and boost reliability while supporting the economic growth of our state. We thank the Biden-Harris administration for delivering this investment for Connecticut and supporting our region’s rail system.”
“This historic $291 million federal investment in Connecticut’s rail system will pave the way for a transportation transformation," U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said. "The replacement of aging bridges on rail lines and track improvements will provide Connecticut commuters with more options, consistent services, and reduced travel times, all while promoting the use of passenger rail. I will continue fighting to deliver crucial infrastructure investments to Connecticut.”
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“I am thrilled to join with Governor Lamont and the entire delegation to announce well over $100 million in federal funding to expand and enhance passenger rail along the Hartford Line," U.S. Representative John Larson said. "These funds will directly support more reliable and frequent service along our ‘Knowledge Corridor’ between Hartford and Springfield, better connecting residents to nearby towns and our region’s biggest cities.”
“This funding is a needed investment in Connecticut’s future and the strength of our passenger rail infrastructure," U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro said. "With $291 million in funding, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will be able to upgrade tracks, increase the reliability of our rail services, and expand the options available to our residents. This grant will also bolster our local economy and help create and support jobs.”
“These grants present an historic opportunity to improve track reliability and set the stage for increased rail service across the Northeast Corridor," Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. "Thanks to the FRA, Governor Lamont, and our state and federal partners, we are ready to build modern infrastructure that will better connect our communities and spur economic development for generations to come.”
The $291 million in grants include:
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- $172 million for Track Improvement and Mobility Enhancement: The project is for construction activities supporting the installation of 88 catenary structures, addition of four new crossovers, and replacement of the Longbrook Avenue Roadway bridge along a 3-mile segment of New Haven Line Main Line, which passes through Bridgeport, Stratford, and Milford.
- $102 million for Hartford Line Rail Program Double Track Project: The project is for the construction of track improvements along 6.7 miles of existing track in West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. The improvements will establish a double track along this corridor to provide more frequent passenger service to Hartford and Springfield. Other improvements include track upgrades and installation, signal upgrades, and gate and road crossing upgrades.
- $8 million for the Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project: This funding will be used for a planning-level study for the replacement of the 117-year-old Connecticut River Bridge on the Amtrak-owned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield corridor in Windsor Locks.
- $6.4 million for Cos Cob Bridge Replacement Study: The project is for planning activities to determine the best course of action in replacing the 120-year-old, movable Cos Cob Bridge over the Mianus River in Greenwich.
- $2.56 million for Hartford Station Relocation Project: The project is for planning construction of a new Hartford train station and multimodal hub with associated realignment and double-tracking of 2.1 miles of the Hartford Line in Hartford.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program funds capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service.
