Senator Dodd on DOT Announcement of High Speed Rail Grant Application Guidelines

Tri-City Corridor Project Could Qualify for Federal Funds Under New Guidelines

June 17, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, welcomed news that the Tri-City Corridor project could qualify for federal grant funding under new guidelines announced today by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Under these guidelines, states and regions may now apply for the $8 billion in grants for high speed rail projects provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Article continues below...

“Today’s announcement provides an extraordinary opportunity for the state of Connecticut to be a part of President Obama’s vision for high-speed rail,” said Dodd. “The development of the Tri-City Corridor is one of my top priorities and I am going to work with leaders in my state, Secretary LaHood, and President Obama to get it done.”

Senator Dodd is a leading advocate for the development of the Tri-City Corridor rail line, which would establish both faster intercity and commuter rail service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, providing residents of central Connecticut with better access to New York City, western Massachusetts and Vermont.

As Chairman of the Committee with jurisdiction over public transportation, Dodd chaired a Banking Committee field hearing in New Haven where Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Marie and Amtrak Vice President Joe McHugh testified in April. Marie later joined Dodd at a meeting with the leaders of the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration in Washington this month. Dodd has also met with Connecticut Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and other state legislative leaders to discuss the Tri-City Corridor, and facilitated a meeting between Commissioner Marie and senior Amtrak officials in Philadelphia.

The guidelines, which can be found at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2243, require rigorous financial and environmental planning to make sure projects are worthy of investment and likely to be successful.

Source: Senator Chris Dodd