Are We Under-Using Freight Rail?

The logic seems sound: If more of Connecticut's goods were moved on freight trains instead of trucks, diesel fuel emissions would be reduced, traffic would be lighter, and the state would save money on highway widening and repairs.

But in the last two rounds of federal transportation grants, all of the grants in Connecticut went to moving commuters on rail, pedestrians on sidewalks, or people in cars. Moving freight on rails got nothing.

"It's less sexy," said state Rep. David McCluskey, D-West Hartford, who as a member of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee has pushed for improvements to the web of short-line routes in Connecticut.

"If we could significantly increase the amount of freight that moves through our state on rail," McCluskey said, "we could unclog our highways, reduce the damage of overly weighted trucks on our roads, and add passenger capacity. Freight rail is greener."

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