Proximity to New York and Boston is one of Connecticut’s economic strengths, but the benefits of this proximity are in jeopardy due to years of underinvesting in our transportation systems. As our roads get more and more clogged and our rail lines get slower, Connecticut commuters are getting more and more fed up. One of my top priorities in Congress is dramatically increasing the amount of federal support for transit, rail, and highway funding.
In 2021, Congress passed a once-in-a-generation investment aimed at fixing our nation’s crumbling infrastructure. I fought hard to secure $30 billion in that bill for the Northeast Corridor (NEC), on top of another $66 billion to address Amtrak’s repair backlog. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also included other big wins for Connecticut, including $3.5 billion to fix our state’s highways programs; $561 million over five years for bridge replacement and repairs; $1.3 billion over five years to improve public transportation options; and $53 million over five years to support the expansion of the state’s EV charging network. These are transformational investments in our state that will cut commute times, fight the climate crisis, and spur economic development.
But we can’t stop there. We talk about high speed rail like it’s a pipe dream, but with the right investments, it can be our reality. The CONNECT NEC 2035 plan lays out a series of upgrades and projects that would shave 25 minutes off the commute between New Haven and New York City. The plan lays out smart strategies to get us there.That’s why I fought to secure $15 million for the Walk Bridge in Norwalk, which is a vital link for Amtrak and MetroNorth trains traveling through our state. I’m committed to continuing to fight for the federal support necessary for the NEC’s success.
Traffic means stress. Congestion means being late for work. Delays mean missing dinner with your kids night after night. I want to do whatever I can to make commutes in Connecticut more manageable so that people can spend time with friends and family instead of sitting in traffic or on stalled trains.
