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11/8/2019
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont yesterday published his 10-year vision for investing $21 billion in the state’s public transit systems, ports, bridges, roads and railroads. The plan calls for $6.2 billion for rail improvements.
The CT2030 plan would fund procurement of rail cars and locomotives, add capacity on rail lines and create partnerships with telecommunications companies to bring high-speed data service to trains.
The plan includes major investments into Hartford Line improvements, including $90 million to add a second track on sections of the line just north of Hartford heading toward Springfield; $50 million to construct a new station in Enfield; and $65 million to construct a new station in Windsor Locks that would provide direct access to Bradley International Airport.
CT2030 would also include an $8 million investment into digital fare collection on the Hartford and Shore Line East lines that would enable commuters to use mobile devices to pay fares. Amtrak and MTA Metro-North Railroad would coordinate on these fare system investments to integrate mobile ticketing and fare kiosks with existing CTrail fare systems.
Additionally, the plan also includes enhancements to Metro-North's New Haven line, including nearly $2 billion for rail bridge repair and replacement projects; $842 million for track improvements to increase speed on the line; $350 million for signal system replacement; $985 million to procure 132 rail cars and 30 locomotives; $140 million to expand maintenance shops and storage yards; $50 million to construct high level platforms on the Waterbury Line; and $715.5 million to replace the Walk Bridge to improve train speeds.
Lamont’s plan calls for leveraging new funding and federal financing sources, as well as creating more efficiencies within the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
By bringing in out-of-state funding and pursuing smart federal financing opportunities, the plan dramatically reduces the cost of the projects to Connecticut taxpayers, according to the plan document.