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Earlier this week, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell announced plans to provide $226.3 million to purchase an additional 80 commuter-rail cars for MTA Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line.

The funding is expected to gain approval from the state bond commission on Aug. 11, she said in a prepared statement. The state already has 300 M-8 cars on order and the first of those cars are undergoing tests.

In addition to buying 80 more cars, the state will acquire spare parts and special tools needed to maintain its entire fleet of 380 cars, cover testing and administrative costs, and pay for the installation of security cameras on all cars, said Rell. Because the latest purchase is “piggybacking” on an existing contract, the state can purchase the additional cars at a lower price, she said.

“Filling out the fleet to 380 cars means we will have plenty of cars for Metro-North as well as equipment to serve Shore Line East — and enough cars for service expansions in the years to come,” said Rell.