Malloy Expects To Get Money For Transportation

Governor Dannel Malloy was in Washington D.C. today (Thursday) to meet  with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. They discussed Connecticut’s application for high-speed rail funding. WNPR's Jason Cunningham reports.

Governor Malloy says he's confident that Connecticut will receive a portion of the $2.4 billion in federal transportation funding released last week. Speaking by phone to reporters he said he'll continue to pursue the $100 million in transportation funding that Florida’s Governor passed up.

“I’m going after anything I can. You know, listen, Willie Sutton was my model, you know? Why, why did he rob banks? That’s where the money is, that’s why I’m in Washington.”

That money would be one of many steps in the $800 million rail project that would connect New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. The plan is to eventually connect to Vermont and Montreal, Canada.

$40 million has already been allocated to Connecticut by the federal government to add a second track to a line between New Britain and Newington, but first agreements with Amtrak must be met before Connecticut sees the money. Malloy is confident that will happen before the April 8 deadline.

“We’re a very transportation, um, constrained state, ah, and rail is a less in, in the rejuvenation of rail is the less cost, the least costly alternative, ah, to some of the other projects.”

Malloy also discussed pursuing other rail related projects, such as trolleys and other forms of light rails.

For WNPR, I’m Jason Cunningham.