NEWINGTON, Conn. (AP) - The Latest on a meeting about federal transportation options (all times local):
3 p.m.
Both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders are expressing optimism that Connecticut might be able to utilize low-cost federal loan programs to help pay for costly transportation projects.
The lawmakers were briefed privately on Friday by the executive director of the federal Build America Bureau about financial and technical assistance that can be provided to the state, which has been debating for years about whether to install electronic highway tolls to help raise the necessary revenue to modernize the transportation system.
The meeting comes as Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to present his new “CT 2030” transportation plan in the coming weeks. Lamont’s office organized Friday’s meetings.
Both Democrats and Republicans, who’ve been at odds over tolls, said they liked the favorable loan terms and flexibility of the federal programs.
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10 a.m.
State and local officials will learn more about low-cost federal loan options, a concept Connecticut Gov Ned Lamont is considering as he reboots his stalled transportation plan that had relied heavily on highway tolling.
Representatives of the federal Build America Bureau are holding closed-door informational sessions on Friday with state and local officials, transportation advocates and others to explain the various federal loan opportunities and other programs Connecticut could seek.
This meeting comes as the Democratic governor is expected to present his new “CT 2030” transportation plan in the coming weeks.
Lamont’s spokesman says the administration spent the summer going “back to the drawing board” to address Connecticut’s aging infrastructure needs after the tolling plan faltered in the legislature this year. Some tolling might still be part this latest plan.
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