Commuting woes ‘will return with a vengeance’

During the time I’ve served as your congressman, some of the best conversations I’ve had are when I talk to commuters waiting for Metro-North into the city. There’s something about standing on a cold platform, holding a cup of coffee and waiting for the train to Grand Central, that makes people willing to share what’s really on their minds.

Almost everyone I’ve talked to over the years is deeply concerned about the length and unpredictability of their daily commute. Metro-North and Amtrak suffer from reliability issues and delays, and the Merritt and 95 are disasters during rush hours. Every minute stuck on a train or in traffic is a minute not spent with family or doing something more productive.

The pandemic has forced many to work from home and forgo their usual commute. As all levels of government have worked to combat this pandemic, investment in modernizing our infrastructure has taken a temporary back seat, but it remains a top priority of mine. During the past year, city-dwellers have relocated to Fairfield County in record numbers. Soon, as more people are vaccinated, the pandemic recedes, and life returns to normal, commuters will once again be returning en masse to the train platform and roads. Our problems will return with a vengeance. That’s why Congress must act this year to pass a comprehensive infrastructure package.

Last Congress, the House passed the Moving Forward Act, which would invest billions into Connecticut’s infrastructure. This money would go toward decreasing congestion and bottlenecks on 95 and the Merritt. It would also improve Metro-North and triple Amtrak funding to $29 billion, allowing for upgrades and expansion of the passenger rail network. Additionally, it would invest $100 billion in expanding broadband to underserved communities. This would improve virtual learning and ensure all students can complete their homework with reliable internet access. Like hundreds of other pieces of bipartisan legislation, the Moving Forward Act died in Mitch McConnell’s Senate. Now, with new leadership and a new majority, I’m hopeful the Senate will prioritize passing this legislation.

Improving our transit and infrastructure will shorten commutes and grow our economy. Business owners in Fairfield County have told me our congested roads and slow public transportation are keeping them from growing their business, attracting employees, and moving goods around the country. Investing in infrastructure has environmental benefits, too. Better public transit and well-maintained roads mean less traffic and cleaner air and will help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.

We’ve made incremental progress in the past. While partisan gridlock has stopped a major transportation bill from becoming law, I’ve worked with state and local officials to secure federal funds for our district to improve transportation. The $161 million to replace the Norwalk Walk Bridge, $9 million to improve the Stamford Transportation Center, $7 million for battery-powered buses in the district, and $765,000 for improvements to the Oxford airport are all making a difference. These grants have made substantial improvements to Southwest Connecticut’s infrastructure, but we need comprehensive legislation, not piecemeal solutions.

I’m an optimist. I believe we’re turning the corner on the pandemic in Connecticut and across the country. When we come out on the other side, Congress needs to be ready with the infrastructure investment necessary to support our families and businesses as we get back to work, and back to living our lives.