Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26) credited Governor M. Jodi Rell’s determination and leadership for today’s State Bond Commission approval of $459.2 million to finance some of the costs associated with buying new rail cars for the New Haven and the branch lines, and building a new rail maintenance facility for the New Haven Line revitalization program.

“Connecticut residents will look back on today as the beginning of a new golden age of public transportation. Everyone who depends on the New Haven Line can look forward to riding on new, reliable, state-of-the art rail cars in the near future. Thank our Governor M. Jodi Rell for being the engine that can,” said Senator Freedman.

Today’s State Bond Commission action marks the largest public transportation purchase in Connecticut history. The cost of this ongoing rail revitalization project will be shared by Connecticut and New York. Today’s funding approval allows the operator of the New Haven Line to increase to 300 the first order of rail cars to be used on the New Haven and Shore Line East lines. Also, the State Bond Commission today approved an additional $25 million in funding to update and refurbish Connecticut-owned rail cars used on the New Haven main line, Shore Line East, and the Danbury and Waterbury branch lines.

Senator Freedman also expressed gratitude to Governor Rell for securing today’s state Bond Commission approval for $144.6 million in special tax obligation bonds for ongoing state Department of Transportation projects across the state, including those involving highways, ports, municipal airports, and public transportation. She also expressed gratitude at the state Bond Commission’s approval of a $2.5 million supplemental grant to the city of Danbury for the construction of infrastructure and roadway improvements in the vicinity of the Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceutical Inc. campus at 900 Ridgebury Road in Danbury and Ridgefield.

Senator Freedman said she is also happy that the state Bond Commission approved $5 million in grants to assist charter schools with capital expenses, including $224,565 for renovations and a communications system for the Side by Side charter school in Norwalk.

“I am a proud sponsor of the legislation that first created charter schools and I lead the battle to get their approval when I chaired the legislature’s Education Committee. My support of charter schools continues as a venue for public school choice and innovation in our great state, “said Senator Freedman.