House Republican Press Release

January 26, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Gov. Rell, Reps D’Amelio, Noujaim: Bond Commission Okays Grant to Continue Waterbury Line Study

Study Will Lead to Long-Awaited Renovations, Upgrades to Waterbury Branch Rail Line

State funding totaling $2.75 million for continued planning and studies at the Waterbury Branch Rail Line was approved today by the State Bond Commission, Governor M. Jodi Rell and state Representatives Anthony J. D’Amelio and Selim G. Noujaim said.

The Bond Commission approved the funding at its monthly meeting today at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

“I want the residents and commuters of greater Waterbury to know that I am committed to addressing their long-term needs,” Governor Rell said.  “I know this funding has been a long time coming. We have now kick started the planning process, and I consider it a major step forward.  The entire Waterbury delegation deserves a lot of credit for staying focused on this issue and keeping it on the front burner.”

“Waterbury area residents are looking forward to the long-awaited renovations and improvements to the rail station, the parking lot, and the trains they take to work,” said Representative D’Amelio, R-Waterbury. “This grant will ensure that the studies are completed in a timely manner so that the upgrades can proceed. This project will encourage wider use of mass transit and reduce congestion on the highways that serve the Greater Waterbury area. I’d like to thank Governor Rell for her statewide transportation improvement initiative and for her support for our efforts to make the Waterbury Line more reliable, efficient and commuter friendly.”

“Our legislative team has been working for several years to secure state support for badly needed improvements to the Waterbury Line’s rail station, parking lot and rolling stock,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury.  “Thanks to this grant, the needs assessment and feasibility study that is currently underway to determine what upgrades are needed to address long-standing problems with the line’s facilities and services should be completed soon. This grant is great news for Waterbury area commuters. I’d like to thank Governor Rell for her support for our efforts to improve mass transit in our area.”

Other recent projects affecting Waterbury that Governor Rell has put on the bond commission agenda include:

• $300,000 for an environmental study at the Waterbury Transportation Center
• $4.4 million to upgrade and realign the intersection of Huntingdon Avenue, Tompkins Street and Watertown Avenue.
• $1 million for improvement to the South End Health Center, part of a larger $25.8 million initiative for health care centers statewide.
• $10 million for upgrades to train stations along the branch lines of the New Haven Railroad, which includes Waterbury.