House Republican Press Release

April 27, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Caron Votes for Transportation Package

Measure Passes House of Representatives; Heads to Senate

HARTFORD- The state House of Representatives yesterday passed a landmark 10-year, $2.3 billion transportation package, which was agreed upon by Governor M. Jodi Rell and legislative Republicans and Democrats.  The bill provides for a massive overhaul and improvement of Connecticut’s highways and mass transit in all corners of the state.  It also manages to do this without instituting tolls or increasing taxes.  Representative Michael Caron (R-Killingly) was a co-sponsor of the measure.

“The state of Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure has been deplorable,” said Representative Caron.  “Not only has it caused painfully slow and congested commutes, but it has cost the state economically.  This measure is a critical step forward in turning Connecticut’s highways and railways around. In this bill, there is something for just about everyone.”

Items scheduled for immediate implementation in the bill are environmental planning for expansion on I-95 from Branford to the Rhode Island border, funding of capital costs for the Hartford Highway, begins developing passenger rail from New haven to Springfield, MA, looks into a potential passenger rail from New London to Worcester, as well as planning for improvements to Routes 2 and 2A, the expansion of Route 9, and upgrading of the Pequot Bridge.

The bill also implements a New Britain – Hartford bus way, rail car renovation for use on Shore Line East, and the New Haven-Springfield Line, as well as parking and stations for those lines.

Approximately $1 billion of the cost for the project will be bonded, while the remainder of the cost will be paid for by the federal government and gross receipts tax on petroleum products.  The gross receipts tax will not be increased.

The bill now heads to the Senate for action there.