Senator L. Scott Frantz Highlights 36th District Transportation Improvement Projects To Receive Federal Stimulus Money

Senator L. Scott Frantz (R-Greenwich) announced today nine projects in the 36th District will receive federal stimulus money to go toward improving train stations along Metro North’s New Haven Line.

The money was allocated through Governor Rell’s Recovery Working Group which was established in February to help designate projects that qualify for the federal stimulus money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Working Group is comprised of state officials, lawmakers and representatives from municipalities across the state.

“While I am very encouraged that this money has been released for these improvement projects at stations along the New Haven line, I will continue to focus on ways to improve funding for rail stations and rail parking facilities that could use more assistance through other sources of stimulus funding.” said Senator Frantz. “Allocated funds will pay for important upgrades like platform repair and basic station amenities like benches and trash cans, but it will also help provide much-needed work for many folks trying to make ends meet.”

Senator Frantz, a member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, noted: “According to the federal government’s estimates, the overall stimulus funding will either create or save about 40,000 jobs in our state and going forward, I am glad this money will keep some of those jobs right here in the 36th District.”

On Monday afternoon, the Working Group allocated approximately $10 million dollars in train station improvements. In the 36th District the following stations will receive funding for upgrades and enhancements:

* Greenwich $387,560
* Cos Cob $197,913
* Riverside $360,327
* Old Greenwich $324,922
* Stamford $389,849
* Talmadge Hill $54,800
* Springdale $54,800
* Glenbrook $56,900
* New Canaan $22,800

In total, the state of Connecticut will receive approximately $3 billion dollars under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed by Congress at the start of this year. The money will be broken down asfollows: $1.65 billion in direct aid and grants and $1.3 billion in the form of Medicaid assistance. Also, $163 million dollars of this lump sum will be put toward a wide array of transportation projects.