CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS FROM CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, AND VERMONT SUPPORT APPLICATION FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL FUNDS

Federal Funding Will Help Establish High-Speed and Improve Intercity Rail Service in Central New England

Washington, DC – Twenty members of the Congressional delegations of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont wrote to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood and the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration Joseph C. Szabo today in support of the application submitted by Connecticut, in partnership with Massachusetts and Vermont, requesting $220 million in federal high-speed intercity passenger rail funds. The application requests federal funding for rail improvements between New Haven and Springfield, which will help connect New York City with central Connecticut, Boston, western Massachusetts, Vermont, and Montreal.

In their letter of support, the Members of Congress wrote, “Fast and frequent rail service will take cars and trucks off these congested roads, reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. The proposed rail network that integrates major seaports, airports and transit systems will significantly improve the movement of freight, and regional and intercity travel. As a result, we expect the corridor to enable livable communities to thrive and state and local economies to grow.”

The following members of Congress supported Connecticut’s application: Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), John Kerry (D-MA), Scott Brown (R-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Christopher Murphy (CT-5), Jim Himes (CT-4), Barney Frank (MA-4), Richard Neal (MA-2), John Olver (MA-1), James McGovern (MA-3), William Delahunt (MA-10), Michael Capuano (MA-8), Stephen Lynch (MA-9), Niki Tsongas (MA-5), and Peter Welch (VT).

The letter can be viewed here.

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