Governor Dannel Malloy announced that $5.75 million was approved Monday by the state Bond Commission to improve railroad stations on the Hartford Line and the New Haven Line.
The funding will be combined with $4 million in previously approved funding to design new stations along the Hartford Line in Enfield, West Hartford, Newington, and North Haven, as well as enhance existing stations in Windsor Locks and Windsor. It will also provide for a location study for a future station in Hamden. New stations will also be added on the New Haven Line in Orange and Bridgeport, and improvements are planned for the Merritt Seven Station on the Danbury Branch.
“Creating a commuter rail line along the I-91 corridor is part of our transformative transportation vision for Connecticut,” Malloy said. “This bond authorization will give this important project needed momentum. Completing environmental work and design is what will propel the projects toward reality. This $365 million project will improve the quality of intercity service along the corridor and enhance regional rail connections.”
.@GovMalloyOffice office talking transportation after bond commission - new dollars will transform out infrastructure pic.twitter.com/uIad2Cg7hj
— Devon Puglia (@DevonPuglia) January 12, 2015
.@GovMalloyOffice &Bond Cmsn invest in #NewHaven, #Hartford, #Springfield rail. Improved transit =stronger economy pic.twitter.com/QPv2csHM1I
— Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (@LGWyman) January 12, 2015
The Bond Commission also approved $2 million to help buy 1,000 acres of shoreline property in southeastern Connecticut. Protecting the property, known as The Preserve, has been a goal of conservationists in Connecticut for more than 15 years, Malloy said. The state worked on the project with the Trust for Public Land and the towns of Essex, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.
