Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy Unveils Plan To Pay For Walk Bridge Replacement
NORWALK, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Connecticut officials now know how they'll pay for construction to replace the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River.
Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Thursday the Connecticut Department of Transportation's plan for closing the $188 million funding gap toward the $465 million project.
The federal government recently awarded the Transportation Department $161 million, and the state had already dedicated $116 million.
The 118-year-old swing rail bridge was stuck in the open position twice this past summer, disrupting the busy commuter rail system between Connecticut and Grand Central Terminal. Commuters were bused from one station to another to complete the ride to work or home, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.
The bridge is used by Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak.
"The operational failures of the Walk Bridge underscored how critically important it is to upgrade and bring our aging transportation infrastructure into the 21st Century -- something my administration has been addressing over the last several years with smart, strategic investments in our mass transit and highway systems," Malloy said in a news release.
The bulk of the final $188 million -- more than $182 million -- will come from a Federal Transit Administration program that requires state matching funds. The rest will be funded through state bonds.
In all, two-thirds of the project will be paid for with federal funds, and one-third by state money.
Commuter advocate Jim Cameron applauded Malloy's announcement, but added that commuters should be patient because the project will take years and result in some service disruptions.
That sentiment was echoed by Rep. Jim Himes, D-Greenwich.
"Remember, we are replacing what is going to be a $400 million-plus rail bridge, and that's a multiyear project -- so we're talking about a couple of years," the congressman told Schneidau. "And of course, again, it's the busiest rail line in the country, so it's a little like fixing an airplane while it's being flown."
Malloy said the DOT will begin requesting bids from contractors this month. Construction would begin in 2017, and the new bridge should be completed by 2020.
Himes said most of the work is expected to be done at night to minimize disruptions for commuters.
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