(AP) - The House of Representatives has given final legislative approval to a plan proposed by two politician brothers to bury parts of Interstates 84 and 91 in Hartford underground in tunnels.

By a vote of 87-63, the House forwarded legislation to the governor on Wednesday that allows the state Department of Transportation to consider using available federal funds to construct the tunnels.

The idea is being pushed by U.S. Rep. John Larson and East Hartford state Sen. Tim Larson, both Democrats.

Tim Larson has said the legislation "sends a strong message to the federal government that the state of Connecticut is serious about seeing this project through."

The brothers say a tunnel system would connect Hartford to its waterfront and free land for recreation and development.