DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE OVER $14 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS

WASHINGTON—Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced the awarding of $14,767,906 in four federal grants for transit improvement projects throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut Department of Transportation was granted the funds by the Federal Transit Administration for a series of projects benefiting Hartford, West Hartford, New Britain, Newington and Bridgeport.

“For years, we have been working to provide faster, more direct and reliable transit service to the most congested corridors and cities in Connecticut,” said Dodd. “These funds not only bring us one step closer to completing the New Britain-Hartford Busway, but will also make critical improvements to the Bridgeport Intermodal Transportation Center, and help create jobs by continuing to grow Connecticut’s fuel cell industry.”

“It’s important that we continue to spur economic activity in the state as the economy struggles to climb out of this recession,” said Lieberman. “These projects will create work and make intra- and inter-city travel throughout the state more convenient and efficient.”

Two grants totaling $5,930,112 will be used for land acquisition, professional services, and site work for the New Britain-Hartford Busway. The proposed Bus Rapid Transit facility would run along a 9.4 miles of active and inactive rail corridors between New Britain and Hartford; provide service to New Britain, Newington and West Hartford; and include 11 stations with amenities.

Another grant provides $4,530,694 to CTTransit for fuel cell bus upgrades, purchasing an additional fuel cell bus, and facility improvements in Hartford.

The final grant provides $4,307,100 for improvements to the Bridgeport Intermodal Transportation Center, including a parking garage expansion.

# # #