http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/2011/2011_05_09_sg%20110509%20fl%20rail%20money.mp3
The New Haven to Springfield high speed rail line snagged $30 million in federal funding today. But that's far less than the $227 million Connecticut was hoping for.
Governor Dannel Malloy says he's not disappointed with the pay-out.
"You ask for a lot money in the hopes that you're going to get it. Amtrak asked for a lot more than they're getting. Everybody asked for more than they're getting," Malloy says. "No, I'm feeling great. We're going to compete time and time again. We're going to be in those fights. And we're not going to take passes."
In total, the Federal Railroad Administration handed out $2 billion to 24 states. The money had previously been allocated to a high speed rail project in Florida, but governor Rick Scott rejected those funds earlier this year.
So far Connecticut has acquired 190 million federal dollars for the New Haven to Springfield line. But even with additional state financing, the project is still far short of its estimated price tag.
Representative Tony Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, is a co-chair of the assembly's transportation committee. Unlike the governor, he says the news is disappointing.
"We can't rely any more on federal dollars and this is just one time again that showed us we ran short," Guerrera says.
Instead, Guerrera says Connecticut should implement electronic tolls to finance infrastructure projects.
Even though the state didn't receive a large cut, major rail funds still found their way into the area. Like Governor Malloy said, Amtrak did ask for a lot of money -- and got nearly $800 million for track construction in the heavily-traveled Northeast Corridor.
