Connecticut Delegation Leads Rail Corridor Lawmakers in Calling for Sustained Federal Railway Improvement Funding

[O'Neil, Sean (Himes)]

 

PRESS RELEASE 

July 15, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Sean O'Neil, 504-388-1884

 

Connecticut Delegation Leads Rail Corridor Lawmakers in Calling for Sustained Federal Railway Improvement Funding

 

Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Jim Himes (CT-04), John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy led 25+ lawmakers in requesting Congressional Leaders include multi-year federal funding for passenger rail improvement projects in the BUILD America 250 Act, Congress’ upcoming five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill.

 

“Major rail infrastructure projects often take years to move from conception to completion. Because these investments require long-term planning and sustained commitments, uncertainty in future funding can delay project delivery and increase costs,” wrote the Members of Congress.

 

“At a time when passenger rail ridership is growing, with Amtrak reporting 34.5 million customer trips in Fiscal Year 2025, and states are making significant investments in rail transportation, Congress should ensure that federal funding mechanisms reflect the realities of how these projects are delivered,” continued the lawmakers.

 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021—the most recent surface transportation reauthorization passed by Congress—provided $66 billion in advance appropriations for rail programs through 2026. Since the legislation’s enactment, Connecticut has received approximately $2 billion in U.S. Department of Transportation rail grants. As currently drafted, the BUILD America 250 Act does not include multi-year appropriations for rail projects, undermining federal support for long-term rail improvement initiatives.

 

The Federal Railroad Administration's 2026 Northeast Corridor Project Inventory identifies 26 Connecticut projects that remain in development, under construction, or awaiting completion, including the WALK Bridge, Devon Bridge, and Connecticut River Bridge replacement projects. Improving the rail infrastructure located within the Northeast Corridor is critical given it is the nation’s busiest passenger corridor, carrying more than 694,000 passengers on weekdays and 367,000 passengers on weekends.

 

In addition to the Connecticut’s Congressional Delegation, Representatives Matsui (CA-07), Norton (DC-AL), McBride (DE-AL), Wilson (FL-24), Jackson (IL-01), García (IL-04), Davis (IL-07), Neal (MA-01), Moulton (MA-06), Thanedar (MI-13), Ross (NC-02), Foushee (NC-04), McIver (NJ-10), Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Suozzi (NY-03), Velázquez (NY-07), Nadler (NY-12), Evans (PA-03), Amo (RI-01), Magaziner (RI-02), Rep. McClellan (VA-04), Vindman (VA-07), Beyer (VA-08), Randall (WA-06), Jayapal (WA-07), and Moore (WI-04) signed the letter in support of multi-year federal funding for rail improvement projects.

 

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here.