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Earlier this week, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, Massachusetts and Connecticut congressional leaders, state and regional transportation officials and Amtrak executives outlined a “sweeping, shared vision” for high-speed rail in the Northeast for U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was visiting Connecticut for a first-hand progress report on the project.

The states are working with Amtrak to improve commuter-rail service between New Haven and Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass. Plans call for providing bi-directional service between New Haven and Springfield every 30 minutes during peak periods Monday through Friday. Connecticut received $40 million in high-speed stimulus funds for the project, which includes double tracking a segment between Newington and New Britain. The state will contribute $26 million of its own funds for the project, as well.

The New Haven-to-Springfield passenger-rail improvements tie in with a longer-term vision of connecting New York, Hartford, Springfield and Boston with high-speed rail service.