HARTFORD — Connecticut has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to compete in “America’s Marine Highway Program,” a USDOT initiative encouraging the development and use of waterways to help mitigate traffic congestion and move freight along the country’s coastlines.
“We are remaking our entire transportation structure in Connecticut, and this is an important part of our vision,” said Gov. M. Jodi Rell. “It is an innovative alternative way to address traffic and freight issues on Connecticut roads and highways,” Governor Rell said.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation had submitted an application for enhanced service across Long Island Sound, from New London to Orient Point, N.Y., to move freight more efficiently from New England to New York and beyond. Connecticut will work with the state of New York to design and refine the proposal, which is in very preliminary stages. State DOT Commissioner Jeffrey A. Parker said it was too early to predict when the cross-Sound service would be introduced or its ultimate price tag.
The USDOT is setting aside an initial $7 million for which states can compete under the program. Connecticut is among eight states selected for participation in the competition.
According to the USDOT, such projects have “the potential to reduce air pollution and gridlock as well as provide jobs for skilled mariners and shipbuilders.” The projects were selected from among 35 applications from ports and local transportation planning agencies received by the USDOT's Maritime Administration.
“We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce traffic volume on our highways, and this is a creative solution,” Rell said. “We are blessed with a coastline along the entire length of our southern border. Let’s use the waterways off that coastline to transport goods and services and to get trucks off our highways.”
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