‘Use it or lose it.’ Connecticut wins millions for faster trains, but will Trump pull the funding?

On Friday, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded Connecticut $291 million for upgrades. But the state is scrambling to spend it before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in two months.

John Craven

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Nov 15, 2024, 9:59 PM

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Updated 39 days ago

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Your trip to work could get faster, thanks to almost $300 million awarded to Connecticut on Friday.

But state leaders are scrambling to spend the money as fast as possible, in case the incoming Trump administration decides to claw it back.

FASTER TRAIN SERVICE

At the South Norwalk Metro-North station, commuters say it takes too long to get to New York City.

“I do not like, I guess, the length of the train ride,” said rider Serge Jean-Baptiste. “I do think it’s a long time.”

Mike Marella, of Norwalk, added: “It’s a little bit of a trip, but you know, you’re kind of hit or miss when you're going to drive.”

Faster trains are on the way. On Friday, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded Connecticut $291 million dollars for rail projects:

$172 million to upgrade Metro-North tracks between Bridgeport and Milford, including installation of 88 catenary structures, addition of four new crossovers and replacement of the Longbrook Avenue Roadway.
$102 million to establish a double track along 6.7 miles of the Hartford Line in West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. The project will mean dozens more trains each day. Other improvements include track upgrades and installation, signal upgrades, and gate and road crossing upgrades.
$8 million to study replacing the 117 year-old Connecticut River Bridge in Windsor Locks.
$6.4 million to study replacing the 120 year-old Cos Cob Bridge over the Mianus River in Greenwich.
$2.56 million to begin relocating the Hartford train station Relocation Project, which will also improve traffic flow on Interstate 84.

“These investments are going to mean higher speeds, fewer disruptions and the potential for future rail growth,” said FRA administrator Amit Bose. “These investments are not only good news for travelers and commuters and passengers who are looking for an alternative to the busy, congested I-95 corridor. They're good news for Connecticut's economy, workers and residents."

The Metro-North upgrades are part of a plan to shave 25 minutes off the trip from New Haven to Grand Central Station. That includes replacing the aging Walk Bridge in Norwalk.

“You have to go over to 30 mph. You have to slow down because it’s a 100-year-old bridge,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “When this is done, you’ll be able to go over that bridge at 70 mph.”

RACE TO SPEND MONEY

Connecticut is jump starting dozens of major projects thanks to roughly $10 billion from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. But now, the state is racing to spend the money before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in just two months.

“I’m worried about all this funding. The president-elect has designated Elon Musk to slash trillions of dollars from the federal budget,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “The mantra here is, ‘Use it or lose it.’”

It's not just rail projects at risk. Connecticut is getting $1 billion for an expansion of Bradley International Airport, renovations to the Gold Star and Connecticut River bridges on Interstate 95 and zero emission buses.

"Everybody agrees on roads, bridges, airports, ports, broadband," said Connecticut Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton, a Republican. "But we'll be prepared for any changes that may or may not happen."

Back in South Norwalk, commuters said trains are a smart investment.

“There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of commuters into the city every single day,” said Jean-Baptiste. “So if [Trump] is really for the public people, then I think that money should go and serve, you know, the general public.”