Gov. Dannel P. Malloy urged officials in Washington to award the state at least $100 million in federal rail funding that Florida’s governor has rejected, The Associated Press reports.
The money would help fund the planned commuter rail line from New Haven to Springfield, and eventually up through Vermont and to Montreal.
In a conference call with reporters, Malloy said he met Thursday with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and made the point that Connecticut, unlike other states, is financially committed to the rail. The state has already earmarked $286 million for the projected $800 million line.
“In my administration, we have an administration that is very serious about getting these projects done and executed, and I will push the monies to be spent in a timely fashion,” Malloy said. “Our state is willing to put in more money than most other states do in these types of projects.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently declined $2.4 billion in federal funding for a proposed high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. Scott has said he feared Florida could be stuck with billions of potential cost overruns and operating losses.
Malloy said Connecticut has no option but to invest in the rail line.
