House
Republican Press Release
January 26,
2007
Press
Office: 860-240-8700
Study
Will Lead to Long-Awaited Renovations, Upgrades to Waterbury Branch Rail Line
State funding totaling $2.75
million for continued planning and studies at the Waterbury Branch Rail Line
was approved today by the State Bond Commission, Governor M. Jodi Rell and
state Representatives Anthony J. D’Amelio and Selim G. Noujaim said.
The Bond Commission approved the
funding at its monthly meeting today at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“I want the residents and
commuters of greater Waterbury to know that I am committed to addressing their
long-term needs,” Governor Rell said. “I know this funding has been a long
time coming. We have now kick started the planning process, and I consider it a
major step forward. The entire Waterbury delegation deserves a lot of credit
for staying focused on this issue and keeping it on the front burner.”
“Waterbury area residents are
looking forward to the long-awaited renovations and improvements to the rail
station, the parking lot, and the trains they take to work,” said
Representative D’Amelio, R-Waterbury. “This grant will ensure that the studies
are completed in a timely manner so that the upgrades can proceed. This project
will encourage wider use of mass transit and reduce congestion on the highways
that serve the Greater Waterbury area. I’d like to thank Governor Rell for her statewide
transportation improvement initiative and for her support for our efforts to
make the Waterbury Line more reliable, efficient and commuter friendly.”
“Our legislative team has been
working for several years to secure state support for badly needed improvements
to the Waterbury Line’s rail station, parking lot and rolling stock,” said
Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury. “Thanks to this grant, the needs
assessment and feasibility study that is currently underway to determine what
upgrades are needed to address long-standing problems with the line’s
facilities and services should be completed soon. This grant is great news for Waterbury area commuters. I’d like to thank Governor Rell for her support for our efforts
to improve mass transit in our area.”
Other recent projects affecting Waterbury that Governor Rell has put on the bond commission agenda include:
- $300,000 for an environmental
study at the Waterbury Transportation Center
- $4.4 million to upgrade and
realign the intersection of Huntingdon Avenue, Tompkins Street and Watertown Avenue.
- $1 million for improvement to
the South End Health Center, part of a larger $25.8 million initiative for
health care centers statewide.
- $10 million for upgrades to
train stations along the branch lines of the New Haven Railroad, which
includes Waterbury.
