Hartford, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The state stands to gain considerably when it comes to funding for roads, bridges and mass transit, according to Connecticut's congressional delegation who are fresh off voting for the passage of President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure agenda early Saturday.
Connecticut is preparing to revitalize the Waterbury Branch of the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line as it awaits $30 billion of railroad investments reserved for the Northeast Corridor.
According to Department of Transportation officials, plans are already in place to implement several changes that will improve the railroad line by bringing more reliable service, comfort and convenience to riders.
Those plans include two-way service, handicap accessibility on train station platforms, new train cars and locomotives, among others, state officials said.
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy explained that the Department of Transportation already knows which investments can be made in the state of Connecticut because of a plan known as "Connect 2035" which has been in the works for several years.
"That is a multistate plan to upgrade the entirety of the Northeast Rail Corridor inlcuding branch lines from Boston to DC. This $30 billion that is invested in rail is going to fund that plan," Murphy said.
Connect 2035 is outlined on a 10-year timeline. Connecticut is also expected to get a share of $39 billion allocated for transit-use which can go toward improving and maintaining rail service in the state, he said.
With this investment, officials are anticipating an economic boost to the state with new jobs and better options for environmentally-friendly transportation.
The pandemic proved that the Waterbury line needed an upgrade given how often people used it, U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said.
"What we saw over the pandemic was that this line, the Waterbury line, had the smallest drop in ridership of all of the rail services in Connecticut," Hayes said. "What that says to me is that these are not white-collar workers commuting into the city. These are blue-collar, everyday barbers and grocers and frontline workers who didn't have a choice but to get on the train and continue to travel to work."
According to Congressman Joe Courtney, there are a pair of swing bridges in his district are over 100 years old and when they break down, they cause Amtrak trains to slow down.
The funding coming from the massive infrastructure package will also address bridges, roads, energy options and environmental problems, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said.
"According to the White House, this is also the biggest single investment since the 1950s in bridge repair, replacement and rehabilitation that we've ever had in our country," she said.
The bill also earmarks hundreds of millions of dollars to the state for broadband upgrades in those areas that sorely need them, Hayes said.
In terms of environmental investments, Connecticut is poised to receive millions more for clean water improvements and Long Island Sound preservation.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said the money will be used to create what he called a whole "new economy."