Connecticut has $121 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support its planned construction of a high-speed commuter rail line running from New Haven north through Hartford to Springfield, Mass.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the state would provide $142 million of its own funding in support of the project, and said the money would create or sustain 9,000 jobs.
“Achieving this milestone means we can complete the design and construction of new track, signal and communication systems, bridge and station infrastructure improvements between New Haven and Hartford,” Malloy said, in a prepared statement.
The installation of underground communication cable will begin later in October, marking the first phase of construction, and by 2016 officials hope to double-track the entire corridor between Hartford and New Haven.
Trains will run 17 times daily initially on the 62-mile route, traveling at speeds of up to 110 miles an hour.
