Sen. Somers testifies before the Transportation Committee against the expansion of an Amtrak rail line in southeastern Connecticut.

Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, testifying recently to support laws that can halt the expansion of rail line through Mystic and other area towns. Sen. Somers spoke before the Transportation Committee on proposals that require towns to vote on the project. Somers supports cutting any state funds for the Amtrak project that seeks to build and operate a new rail line farther inland than the current system.

Mystic Village, Mystic Aquarium and other sensitive natural and commercial areas would be home to the new rail line. Somers questioned the need for the second line and opposes the current plan that will have a similar impact in Old Lyme, Old Sayrbook and others along the way.