Groundbreaking for bus corridor project

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — After years of planning, state officials are scheduled to break ground on a rebranded half-billion-dollar Hartford-to-New Britain bus-only corridor, the only one in Connecticut.

Once known as the busway, the 9.4-mile route has been rebranded and is now called CTfastrak. Judd Everhart, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, says busway was never the official name of the project, but was used as short hand.

He says the name CTfastrak describes a new type of public transit, combining fast transportation free of traffic similar to rail travel with the flexibility and direct service of a bus.

Connecticut is spending $112 million as its share of the $567 million project. Critics say it's too costly and will fall short of ridership projections.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other officials are expected at the ground breaking.

For more information: www.facebook.com/ctfastrak