Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich) today joined with his Senate colleagues in approving a landmark bill providing $2.3 billion to fund a 10 year transportation plan.  The House previously adopted it and Governor Rell supports it.

Nickerson is Ranking Member of the Finance Committee and was part of the working group which crafted the bill.  He issued the following statement: “At last Connecticut is taking seriously the need to reorient transportation planning to emphasize public transportation.  Three years ago the Committee for the 21st Century and the Transportation Strategy Board warned that our growing highway glut is unsustainable and is hurting our economy, our environment and our very way of life.”

“Building on Governor Rell’s initiative last year to provide $1.3 billion to replace all 342 Metro North railcars, today’s bill provides $2.3 billion for a wide range of transportation projects, many of them transit oriented.  A central feature is establishing high-speed rail commuter service between New Haven, Hartford, Bradley Airport and Springfield, Massachusetts.  This will benefit Fairfield County by providing improved access for employees living east of Fairfield County traveling to the growing job centers in Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich.  Similarly, closer to home, the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury Metro North branch lines will be upgraded, a new commuter station will be in Milford and improved station parking is slated throughout the New Haven Line.

“Taken together, this bill and last year’s rail car replacement bill mark a complete turnaround in state transportation policy away from an overemphasis on cars and towards transit.  I am delighted to join with Governor Rell in bringing about a new day in transportation planning which provides public transportation choices for a more prosperous Connecticut.”