Ground broken for Busway; redubbed CTfastrak [Bristol Press]

Article as it appeared in the Bristol Press

HARTFORD – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and top federal, state and local officials today held a ceremonial groundbreaking for Connecticut’s first rapid transit system, CTfastrak, in Hartford. Known informally during the planning stages as the New Britain-Hartford Busway, the $567 million project will include 11 stations in New Britain, Newington, West Hartford and Hartford with buses running every three to six minutes during peak commuting hours.

“CTfastrak is an important part of Connecticut’s overall investment in transportation,” said Governor Malloy.

Today’s ceremony was held at the site of the future Parkville Station in Hartford at the corner of Park Street and Francis Avenue.

In addition to CTfastrak, the new elements of a statewide public transportation branding campaign created under the “CTrides” name were also introduced.

The federal government will cover $455 million of the $567 million project cost, with the remaining $112 million funded by the state. An estimated 4,000 construction jobs and at least 100 permanent jobs will result.

The first construction segment of the project will begin on a 5.8-mile stretch that begins near Cedar Street in Newington and runs north to Sigourney Street in Hartford.