House Republican Press Release

October 31, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Klarides Announces Funding for Orange Train Station

Funding Set to Expand Area Rail Service

HARTFORD – Deputy House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby) praised the approval yesterday by the House of Representatives and Senate of $80 million for construction of a new train station in Orange.

As a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Representative Klarides worked to get the train station funding out of committee back in April.

The new station is an investment in the expansion of public transit, and a central feature to Governor M. Jodi Rell’s continued effort to improve statewide transportation infrastructure.

Certain business located near the new train station will pick up aspects of the cost for the construction of the project as well.

“This is the next critical phase of transportation overhaul for the state,” said Representative Klarides, who sits on the Finance Committee.  “The congestion of our roads has hampered the economic capabilities of the state. The way to reverse that is to increase convenience and mobility for commuters, and businesses. That starts with expanding and encouraging public transit use and the construction of a new Orange station is a key element in attaining this goal.”

The bonding package now heads to the desk of Governor M. Jodi Rell.