By Kirsten Griebel
January 28, 2011, 10:00 AM, Union Station, Hartford, CT
Four members of CT’s congressional delegation, Congressman Larson, Courtney, Murphy and Congresswoman DeLauro, CT Governor Malloy, and Senator Blumenthal held a joint meeting with PA Congressman Bill Shuster, and MA Congressman John Olver and DOT reps from MA and VT, to champion the development of the Northeast Rail Corridor and specifically the New Haven – Hartford – Springfield rail line. This rail line presents a unique opportunity for CT, one that unites a number of different stakeholders, political, business and environmental, in support of a major transportation project, that will benefit the environment and the economy while simultaneously create jobs.
Congressman Shuster, Chair, Sub-Committee on Rail, US House of Representatives Transportation Committee, said the investment in rail is critical to the nation and in particular to the NE corridor. The NE has the population and the congestion, both on roads and in air. 70% of delayed flights nationally originate in the NE airports causing a negative ripple effect on the rest of the nation. Shuster noted that President Obama said in his recent State of the Union address that his goal is to get rail to 80% of the nation. Today, Shuster said we could get rail to 20% of the country by developing the NE corridor rail line. He also said that FLA Congressman John Mica, Chair of the Transportation Committee is “fully committed” to the NE corridor. And he said President Obama indicated he wants “robust rail” included in the Highway Re-Authorization Bill which will be coming in late spring.
Governor Malloy said his top two goals were to reduce energy rates in CT and to improve the ability to move people and freight efficiently through the state. He said “to compete with emerging economies” transportation is the “most strategic investment we can make” and he pledged to work hard to secure federal monies to make the New Haven- Hartford-Springfield rail line a reality. He also stressed the importance of connecting CT to NY, MA and VT saying he will work with the Governors of those states on regional transportation initiatives.
Governor Malloy stated clearly that CT needs to stop borrowing to pay for operating expenses but that it is appropriate to borrow for infrastructure such as transportation projects and to leverage federal investments. He will be more specific about how to pay for these investments in his upcoming “economic blueprint” - his budget proposal on Feb. 16.
Congresswoman DeLauro said high speed rail is desperately needed in the NE corridor and the NH-H-S line is the “top priority” of the CT delegation. She stressed that high speed rail is an economic driver and is one of the best job creators. Rail projects as a job creator was consistently echoed by all speakers.
Congressman Courtney spoke of the challenges of CT’s 100 y.o. draw bridges as an impediment to high speed rail. CT received ARRA federal monies to repair the Niantic River draw bridge which will not only improve rail service but also create construction jobs.
Congressman Murphy focused on the opportunity for transit oriented development, citing the Meriden rail station and surrounding area as a good example of TOD just waiting to happen once the rail line is complete. He went on to say that the rail branch lines to Danbury and Waterbury, have been underfunded and underutilized as the state has had to direct rail funding to the main rail lines. With federal funding of the main rail lines, CT may be in a position to re-direct funds to develop the branch lines and help move people out of cars and on to rail.
Speaker of the House, Chris Donovan, said that the NH-H-S rail line is “an opportunity to preserve the rural areas in CT while revitalizing our urban areas”.
Senator Blumenthal summed it up saying rail projects are a win-win for the economy, the environment and job creation and that he will fight for federal transportation funding for CT.
For reports and agenda presented at today’s joint meeting go to:
