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DeLauro Statement on Federal Railroad Administration’s Decision on Northeast Corridor

July 12, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC (July 12, 2017) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) decision on investments on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) through 2040 and beyond.

"With this decision, the Federal Railroad Administration is making a prudent choice in planning for the future of our communities. While improving the NEC is long overdue, there were a number of issues that my constituents raised in the last version of the plan. I am pleased that the FRA has addressed these concerns, while also finding a solution that will deliver hourly service between New York City and New Haven and add a station in Orange. Improving the most important rail segment in the country is critical to the millions of people who rely on it, and I look forward to continuing to work with the FRA going forward."

Since 2012, DeLauro and her staff have participated in regional FRA hearings. When the plan was modified earlier this year to expand the rail bed between the Branford and Guilford Stations, DeLauro wrote a letter to the FRA presenting the community's concerns over historic preservation, resiliency, and environmental impact. Parallel to this study, DeLauro has worked to bring tens of millions of dollars to the New Haven Line for several improvements also listed in the Record of Decision: Positive Train Control, upgrading the catenary system, and improved signalization.