Connecticut Rail Projects Face Billions at Stake This Election Year
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- CT's rail projects need $12.2B, with $3B pledged by Biden's administration.
- Gov. Lamont urges voters to prioritize federal rail funding in the election.
- Trump plans to redirect funds from green projects to infrastructure if elected.
Metro-North Train Passes Over Historic Walk Bridge
A Metro-North train crosses the Walk Bridge, built in 1896 over Norwalk River. The bridge's ongoing replacement is one of several billion-dollar Northeast Corridor projects in Connecticut, dependent on federal funding.
Federal funding for Connecticut rail infrastructure is a crucial issue in the upcoming presidential race. The state has received $3 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, though $12.2 billion is needed for all projects listed in the Federal Railroad Administration's Connecticut pipeline.
Notably, the Devon Railroad Bridge over the Housatonic River, over a century old, has received nearly $150 million for repairs. Ultimately, replacing it could cost up to $2.2 billion over the next 12 years.
Gov. Ned Lamont emphasized the importance of continued federal support for rail projects, calling it a top voter issue. "There’s one guy who got it done, that’s the infrastructure bill and Biden-Harris," he said.
Federal and state funds have also been allocated for other critical projects, such as the replacement of aging rail bridges over the Norwalk and Connecticut rivers. The Biden administration has invested over $11 billion into the Gateway Tunnel project, aimed at easing bottlenecks along the Northeast Corridor.
The Harris campaign has yet to comment on federal funding for rail projects. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's infrastructure plans often became the subject of jokes, with Trump clashing over the Gateway Tunnel project.
Investments in the Northeast Corridor are crucial for reducing commute times on Metro-North’s New Haven Line, which shares tracks with Amtrak. Frequent speed restrictions on Connecticut’s obsolete bridges and sharp curves make commutes longer than decades ago.
President Biden, a long-time rail advocate known as "Amtrak Joe," contrasted with Vice President Kamala Harris, whose rail stance remains less clear.
Harris supported high-speed rail in California with caution over costs. The project, delayed and criticized by Trump, saw funds released in 2021 under Biden, allowing work to continue.
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