02.18.2011

Connecticut Delegation Writes DOT Secretary LaHood to Request $100 Million for High-Speed Rail from Funds Florida Refused

Connecticut Delegation Writes DOT Secretary LaHood to Request $100 Million for High-Speed Rail from Funds Florida Refused

(Washington, DC) – Members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation today sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to request funds designated for High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) recently refused by Florida Governor Rick Scott, asserting that the state of Connecticut is ready to put the funding to use to “spur job creation, reduce congestion… and enhance transit-oriented development.” The delegation requested that Secretary LaHood redirect $100 million of the designated funds to Connecticut for use on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) line, money that would fully fund Connecticut’s $220 million FY 2010 application.

In the letter, members of the Connecticut delegation tell Secretary LaHood:

The NHHS line is located in the most densely populated region in the country and is poised to be a successful part of President Obama’s national vision for high speed rail. This project is essential to the economic future of Connecticut and the region, as it will spur job creation, reduce congestion on our roads, increase mobility, and enhance transit-oriented development. Connecticut has already demonstrated that it is serious about high-speed rail by committing over $280 million in state funds towards the NHHS line. Additionally, Connecticut has forged strong partnerships with Amtrak and its neighboring states in Massachusetts and Vermont to work together to see that this project becomes a reality.

Members of the delegation have been fierce advocates for transportation and infrastructure funding for Connecticut, arguing that it will create jobs, spur economic growth, and ease serious traffic and transportation dilemmas across all regions of the state.

Text of Letter Follows:

Dear Secretary LaHood,

We share your disappointment in the decision of Florida Governor Rick Scott to reject federal High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funds. In light of Governor Scott’s decision, we respectfully ask that you redirect $100 million of those funds to the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) line. On top of the $120 million in federal grants received in October of last year, the additional money would fully fund Connecticut’s $220 million FY 2010 application.

Last November, Connecticut’s Congressional delegation wrote to you to request that your Department redirect HSIPR funds rejected by Wisconsin and Ohio toward the NHHS line. It is our understanding that Connecticut was deemed ineligible at that time because Wisconsin and Ohio were returning Recovery Act (P.L. 111-5) funds and Connecticut had already received the full amount of their Recovery Act request. However, Florida will be returning $800 million in FY 2010 (P.L. 111-117) grant funding. As Connecticut received $100 million less than was requested in their FY 2010 application, we hope that our state can put those redirected funds to good use this time.

Under your leadership at the Department of Transportation, the Obama Administration has taken remarkable steps to advance high-speed rail in America. We think that there is no better place than Connecticut to make this kind of investment and thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Senator Joseph Lieberman

Senator Richard Blumenthal

Representative Rosa DeLauro

Representative John Larson

Representative Christopher Murphy

Representative Joseph Courtney

Representative Jim Himes

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