Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces $255 Million to Modernize Connecticut’s Public Transit

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) announced $255 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Fiscal Year 2023 government funding package to support public transit improvements and modernization across Connecticut.

"The Connecticut delegation secured record federal funding to improve our state's aging infrastructure, making way for new opportunities by fixing the planning mistakes of the past," said Rep. Larson. "Today's investment will help turn the page toward a more equitable future by ensuring reliable multimodal transit options are accessible to all residents."

"This $255 million is huge and historic - not only in scale but scope, enabling everyday transit of every form to be improved. Modernizing buses, expanding seniors' mobility, improving rail systems, and much more - all will be vastly better because of this major investment. The investment is yet another example of the federal infrastructure program yielding concrete benefits for CT and our country. I was proud to champion it with our delegation," said Senator Blumenthal.

"This historic $255 million in federal funding for Connecticut will make our transit more accessible, increase ridership, and reduce traffic for everyone. An upgrade to Connecticut's public transit is long overdue, and I'm proud the funding we secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and this year's budget will ensure a new-and-improved system becomes a reality," said Senator Murphy.

"People throughout eastern Connecticut are seeing long-overdue infrastructure projects finally getting underway and completed thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law we passed in late 2021," said Rep. Courtney. "The IIJA has brought about improved roads and bridges, major investments in our local economy like support for the new deepwater port in New London, and the new Train Station in Enfield, and now it's going to help improving our public transit to make it more efficient, more reliable, and more accessible. It's no secret that New England has got some of the oldest public transportation infrastructure in the nation, and with steady resources coming in from the IIJA-including this historic $255 million for public transit-we've finally got the resources to change that, and to make our region even more competitive. I'm proud to have voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure law addresses the tremendous shortfall in infrastructure investment, creates American jobs, spurs long-term economic growth, and improves our competitiveness across the globe," said Rep. DeLauro. "I am so pleased that Connecticut will receive more than $255 million for public transit planning and improvements. Leveraging the immense resources of our federal government to improve access to transportation and grow our clean economy and workforce is how we help build a more prosperous middle-class and ensure a healthier future for our children here in Connecticut."

"Despite being one of the world's most developed countries, America's public transportation is largely antiquated and in desperate need of modernization. These funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help reduce Connecticut's appalling traffic by improving our railroad and bus systems. I look forward to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that this investment helps my constituents spend more time with their families, rather than stuck in the car," said Rep. Himes.

"After decades of overdue investments in the infrastructure of Connecticut, I am thrilled to see $255 million critically needed federal dollars come back to our state to make historic improvements to our public transit system," said Rep. Hayes. "These vital resources pave the way for cleaner, safer commuting and open opportunities for good paying jobs."

The funding announced today will support:

• planning, engineering, design, and evaluation of public transit projects

• investments in the replacement and modernization of buses

• crime prevention and security equipment

• new maintenance and passenger facilities

• strengthened safety inspections and oversight

• station accessibility upgrades