Connecticut OKS $839M in transportation projects

Highway upgrades, new trains among 58 items on agenda

HARTFORD — Even without highway tolls to provide the funding, Connecticut is moving ahead with $839 million in transportation projects across the state.

The 10-member State Bond Commission approved all 58 items on a detailed, 76-page agenda Tuesday afternoon at the final meeting of the year.

The projects will be constructed in addition to others that will be funded through Connecticut’s share of the $1.25 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package that was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden.

The state and federal projects, Gov. Ned Lamont said, will allow Connecticut to “enter a new era of transportation upgrades that will finally address some of our state’s most congested areas and transform our roads, bridges, rail, buses, ports, and airports into an efficient network that supports the needs of businesses and the people who live here.’’

Lamont noted that the Wall Street bond agencies have upgraded their ratings, allowing the state to borrow money at a lower cost. Part of the reason is the state has generated operating surpluses over the past three years and the state’s rainy day fund for fiscal emergencies is growing. The fund is powered mainly by the continuing boom in capital gains taxes from stocks on Wall Street.

The items that were approved included:

New locomotives

■ $280 million for new locomotives to replace older models in an effort to speed trains to New York City — one of Lamont’s goals since taking office. The plan is designed to improve service on the Metronorth Commuter Railroad, where commuters have complained about service for years.