Connecticut Gov. Malloy highlights rail corridor, transportation projects in state address

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy yesterday toured the Meriden train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) rail corridor to highlight his vision for investing in the state's transportation infrastructure, which he outlined in his State of the State address earlier this week.

The location of the tour is the site of an ongoing transit-oriented development (TOD) project with a primary focus on stimulating development within a half mile of the proposed Meriden Intermodal Center.

"This project will transform the 91 corridor with high-speed rail while revitalizing cities and towns between New Haven and Hartford," Malloy said in a press release. "The citizens and business community in Meriden and its surroundings will benefit from our investments for years to come."

In October 2011, the governor announced $5 million for local TOD projects, including $850,000 to the city of Meriden for market and environmental analyses, and other studies and surveys related to the NHHS rail line.

"The TOD project will foster economic development in the various towns and surrounding regions by supporting local projects that connect state residents to job opportunities, housing, cultural centers and more," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker.

The new NHHS service will be called the Hartford Line, and is expected to increase the number of roundtrip trains from six daily Amtrak shuttles to 17 trains, including existing Amtrak trains plus 11 new commuter trains. Service is scheduled to start in late 2016.

Under the project, all existing stations will be replaced and several new stations will be built.