Rell: Scale Back Rail Project

by Melissa Bailey | January 2, 2009 4:50 PM | | Comments (4)

Following a state audit, Gov. M. Jodi Rell has called for New Haven’s $1.2 billion rail yard construction project to be scaled down and phased in. The project concerns an upgrade of the rail yard by Union Station.

Rell called for the audit after the project’s budget ballooned from $300 million to $1.2 billion. The screw-up drew an apology from the state’s budget chief and prompted one state legislator to dub it “the Next Big Dig” (Click here and here for related stories.)

The original 15-year plan would add a storage yard, upgrade support utilities and add new tracks to accommodate more trains and more riders. In an audit, Hill International, Inc. suggested deferring or eliminating parts of the project, and moving ahead with a first phase that would cost $849.3 million.

Rell called for moving ahead with that first phase, and deferring the rest.
(Click here to read the audit; click here to read her release.)

“My commitment to building a 21st century transportation system is unwavering,” Rell wrote in the release. “However, we must ensure that we build this facility in a way that meets our needs in the most cost-effective way possible. That means building no more than we need - and spending no more than we can afford.” She directed the state transportation department to come up with a new plan by Feb. 1.

Hearing the news Friday, city spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga said the mayor believes the train line is vital to the state.

“We hope that any work that is being deferred be done as soon as possible,” said Mayorga. She said the city is also hoping for the state’s support in plans for a transit-oriented development -slash-parking garage at Union Station.







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Comments

Posted by: WalkBikeCT | January 4, 2009 4:48 PM

This seems like par for the course for our mysteriously popular, do-nothing governor. God forbid we spend money a rail line when we could be using it for highway expansion.

Posted by: Ben | January 5, 2009 9:22 AM

Our suburban Governor and the Department of Automobiles at it again.

Posted by: Walt | January 6, 2009 9:35 AM

We shouild drasticly increase MetroNorth ticket prices.

Don't mind subsizing Joe Doakes who takes CT Transit to work, but see no reason to pay the majority of expenses for those who elect to commute to NYC for the big bucks.

Let them pay their own expenses!

Even though most of their expenses are borne by non-commuters, they are always whining!

Bah! Humbug!

Posted by: WalkBikeCT | January 6, 2009 12:34 PM

Walt,

The only person whining here is you. Virtually all transportation is subsidized. Drivers don't pay per trip or per mile. In fact they get more subsidies than anyone else, despite the fact their their travel behavior is by far the most destructive of all. And don't starting taking about the gas tax, that doesn't even begin to cover the cost of roads.

Not to mention, subsidizing Metro benefits everyone because it takes cars off the overburdened highways. This means less pollution, which is a good thing no matter who you are.

Transportation isn't a good in the same way that an Ipod is, it's almost always a means to something else. Governments subsidize it because an efficient and balanced transportation system grows the economy, and enables people to get to jobs, stores, and wherever else they want to go.

How do you get to work Walt? I'll be willing to bet that at least part of your trip is paid for via government subsidies.

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