June 9, 2014

GOV. MALLOY: STATE AND MTA JOINTLY PURSUING FEDERAL FUNDING TO REPLACE "WALK" BRIDGE

Immediate Operational Review Ordered to Review Procedures and Protocols

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy, joined by Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) Commissioner James Redeker, officials from Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Metro-North, today announced that ConnDOT and MTA will conduct an operational review of procedures at the Walk Bridge in Norwalk in order to minimize the risk for failure in the future. Teams from both the MTA and State will participate, with the goal of delivering their findings by mid-July.

"There is no doubt that we are now seeing the effects of decades of neglect when it comes to investing in our infrastructure," said Governor Malloy. "Over the last three and a half years, we have changed course. In fact, the five-year capital plan is 165 percent of the 2010 plan. The Walk Bridge is a great example of past priorities. In 2008, plans for a new bridge were dropped and no additional investment was made. Today, we are not only providing the funding to maintain it, we're also developing a plan to replace it. While we clearly have much more work to do, I hope that residents know my administration is committed to making investments that were put off for far too long."

MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast expressed his organization's support for the state's grant application for federal transportation funding for three commuter rail infrastructure projects on the New Haven Line, including $349 million in federal funding to replace the Walk Bridge.

"Every time this 118-year-old bridge fails to close properly, our customers suffer the consequences of decades of delay and neglect," said MTA Chairman Prendergast. "We are working closely with our partners in Connecticut to support their efforts to make temporary repairs to keep this bridge operating while they pursue federal funding to replace it with a modern bridge."

Besides calling for an operational review, Governor Malloy also vowed to make additional resources available for temporary bridge repairs so it can remain operational in the short-term until funding for a replacement bridge can be secured.

"In the short term, every procedure, protocol and engineering solution must get the immediate attention of the most qualified team of experts to ensure reliable service for Connecticut commuters," continued the Governor. "But the long term aim is to find and fund a replacement, and I'm glad today to have the public support from the MTA on our application for Federal funding."

In April, Governor Malloy announced that the State of Connecticut applied for $600 million in federal transportation funding to help cover the capital costs of three resiliency, or "hardening", projects central to Connecticut's commuter rail infrastructure along the New Haven Line. Specifically, the state requested $349 million in federal funding to cover 75 percent of the cost of the Walk Bridge Replacement Project.

Built in 1896, the Walk Bridge will be replaced with a more resilient "bascule" or vertical lift bridge that opens for marine traffic from one side with a counterweight system and will significantly enhance the safety and reliability of commuter and intercity passenger service along the Northeast corridor.

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For Immediate Release: June 9, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy