Speaking before a group ofFairfieldCounty municipal leaders, legislators, and regional planning officials, State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143) called for a reordering of the state’s transportation funding priorities. She argued that, given the importance of southwesternConnecticutas a revenue contributor to the state’s economy, its rail infrastructure should be upgraded before new projects are funded in other parts of the state.
Rep. Lavielle, who serves on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, delivered her remarks at the annual Legislative Briefing of the Southwestern Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA), held on Wednesday, February 1, at Norwalk City Hall.
“Our region contributes more than 45% of the state’s tax revenues, and the New Haven line is the busiest rail line in the country,” said Rep. Lavielle. “Reliable, frequent, and safe service on this line is key for attracting and retaining jobs in the state. This is literally an engine for Connecticut’s economy.
“The state should be upgrading the heavily used Danbury and New Canaan branch 
lines before breaking ground on entirely new, very costly projects in other regions where demand is uncertain,” said Rep. Lavielle. “For example, the branch line improvements could be made at about half the cost of the $600 million New Britain busway. Before spending such an egregious amount of taxpayer money, the state should seriously reconsider its transportation priorities.”
lines before breaking ground on entirely new, very costly projects in other regions where demand is uncertain,” said Rep. Lavielle. “For example, the branch line improvements could be made at about half the cost of the $600 million New Britain busway. Before spending such an egregious amount of taxpayer money, the state should seriously reconsider its transportation priorities.”The New Haven line and its branches provide nearly 40 million passenger rides a year, both inbound and outbound. Upgrading the Danbury and New Canaan branch lines would allow more through trains, faster travel, and more frequent service.
Other initiatives discussed by the group included flat funding to maintain existing levels of bus service, repeal of a state statute that makes zoning enforcement officers liable for treble damages, and developing programs that allow smaller towns to compete with their larger neighbors for certain grants that apply, for example, to transit-oriented development, affordable housing, and infrastructure improvement.
