Senate Leadership
April 26, 2006
Williams' Transportation Priorities Move Forward
Mass transit, rail freight and deep water ports are crucial elements in transportation bill
State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today praised the much-anticipated Transportation Bill that includes Senate Democrats initiatives for mass transit, increases rail freight and development and utilization of the state's deep water ports.
"The days of simply widening roads and highways are over," Sen. Williams said. "While we must maintain our roads and bridges, and we must also have a greater commitment to mass transit, rail freight and use of our deep water ports. That's the only way we reduce congestion on our roads in the long run." The bill also signals a commitment to fund the Tourist Transit System for Southeastern Connecticut.
Among the initiatives championed by Sen. Williams in the Transportation Bill being consider in the House:
- New Haven- Hartford- Springfield Commuter Rail. The bill will enable the state to finish final studies and proceed with construction of new stations, refurbish existing stations, and acquire new trains to begin the service.
- New London to Worcester, MA commuter line. A study will be conducted on the feasibility and implementation of the line.
- Metro-North branch service. $45 million to expand the number and frequency of trains from Norwalk to Danbury and extend current service to New Milford.
- Shore Line East. New engines and coaches will be purchased to increase service to Southeastern Connecticut on this commuter line once ticketed for elimination by former Governor John Rowland.
- Bridgeport, New London and New Haven deep-water ports. They will be upgraded to encourage their use as freight hubs. This includes the funding of feeder barge service in Bridgeport.
- Rail freight. There is a provision for funds for construction projects that would improve overall viability of freight rail beds to allow for heavier, faster trains.
"At the start of this legislative session, we included transportation as part of our overall economic development strategy," Sen. Williams said. "The initiatives in this transportation bill go hand-in-hand with Senate Bill 1, 'An Act Concerning Connecticut Jobs for the 21 Century' which the Senate passed unanimously last week. I have maintained from the outset that connecting each sector of economic development into a cohesive plan is the only way we will remain competitive."
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
