The largest of three requests from Connectictut Department of Transportation is for US$349 million in federal funding to help cover the cost of the Walk Bridge replacement project in Norwalk, representing 75% of the US$465 million total project cost. The funding will be used for project design, engineering, environmental clearance, and construction.
The bridge was built in 1896 and the aim is to replace it with a more resilient bascule bridge to enhance the safety and reliability of the commuter and intercity passenger service.
“We learned some tough lessons during Super Storm Sandy, but one of the most important was that several aspects of our transportation infrastructure are in dire need of hardening measures,” said governor Dannel Malloy. “We have made billions of dollars in investments in new rail infrastructure in recent years, but it is just as crucial to maintain, protect and replace existing systems along the northeast rail corridor. The New Haven Line is the busiest single commuter rail system in America and the backbone of our economy and its failure due to a weather-related event would have a catastrophic ripple effect throughout the region and the nation.”
