Kara Rochelle

I am pleased to announce the legislature’s Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing Monday, February 24 on legislation members of the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus and I introduced to study rail infrastructure issues and improve service.

The Waterbury Train Line has a huge economic impact on the people of Ansonia and Derby even if they do not ride the trains. Increased service brings about transit-oriented development and increases property value, both of which grow the grand list and increase the potential that local city leaders could lower local property taxes. Trains mean development, larger grand lists, lower taxes, and more jobs if we all work together to make it happen. While I am encouraged that the Department of Transportation recently sent out an RFI for leasing trains for mid-2022, when the passing sidings and positive train control currently being created are completed for our tracks, we need our new, permanent trains ordered, stations updated, and other rail line resources to ensure that our district and our region can reach the next stage of its revitalization. I’ve fought hard for this issue and will continue to fight as it is so critical for the lives and wallets of all residents.

I plan on testifying during the public hearing and have reached out to Ansonia and Derby mayors, President and CEO of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Bill Purcell, Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of TEAM Inc. David Morgan, Chairman of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Association Jim Gildea, and other community stakeholders inviting them to submit testimony or join me in Hartford.

The public hearing will begin at 11 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building. Residents can submit testimony via email to TRAtestimony@cga.ct.gov. Those who wish to testify in-person are asked to submit 55 copies of their written testimony to Committee staff in Room 2300 of the LOB during the speaker sign up, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Speaker order will be determined by a lottery system. Interested individuals can find more information about testifying during public hearings on the Connecticut General Assembly web site, here.

This is the second time I will testify on this issue. During the 2019 legislative session, I testified before the Transportation Committee in support of similar legislation.

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State Rep. Rochelle testifying during a Transportation Committee public hearing on February 13, 2019

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Prior to the public hearing, the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on Monday in Room 1B. Members will discuss their proposal, which seeks to modernize rail transit in Naugatuck Valley and address congestion on state highways.

The Waterbury Rail Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of legislators who are dedicated to advocating for the success of the rail line and economic development in the Naugatuck Valley region.

I have worked diligently alongside the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus, municipal leaders including Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess and Rick Dunne, Executive Director of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments. Hess and Dunne spearheaded efforts to work in collaboration with state lawmakers to urge the appropriate agencies to address deficiencies in the Waterbury Rail Line.

After meeting with DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti and his staff numerous times, advocates and I successfully pressured the department to evaluate leasing additional rail cars to increase passenger rail service.

The DOT recently issued a Request for Information for Rail Equipment concerning the availability of rail cars to lease and use on the Waterbury Branch Line, which runs from Stratford to Waterbury, and/or the Hartford Line, which runs from New Haven to Springfield, Mass.

The RFI will close on February 28.