Connecticut Delegation Calls on FRA to Bring Northeast Rail Network into 21st Century, Heed Public Input in Developing Long-Term Vision

HARTFORD, CT (February 17, 2016) — In a letter this week to Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah Feinberg, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3), Congressman John Larson (D-1), Congressman Joe Courtney (D-2), Congressman Jim Himes (D-4), and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-5) urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to heed public input as it develops long-term plans for investment in the Northeast rail network.

The Connecticut delegation further called on the FRA to adopt a visionary proposal to ease congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure the resiliency of rail infrastructure against climate change, and improve freight rail options.

"We are vigorous supporters of increased investments in our transportation system and the many jobs that these investments create, and we urge you to be forward-thinking in finalizing the NEC FUTURE framework to ensure it is a robust blueprint for enhancing economic prospects for our constituents. We also urge you to be responsive to the many communities affected by this proposal and ensure all our constituents' concerns are thoroughly considered and addressed before you adopt any proposal," the letter states.

The full letter is available here.

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