Malloy approves I-84 busway project

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) - Governor Dannel Malloy has given his stamp of approval to a nearly $600 million project to help commuters between New Britain and Hartford.

The 'Busway' project has been on the drawing boards for over a decade, and now Malloy says it's an important part of the public transportation mix.

The Governor has met with all sides on this proposal, weighing the pros and the cons, and on Monday he announced he's giving it the green light. More than $75 million in state and federal money has already been spent on designing the busway project, and acquiring the former railroad bed.

"I do announce that I believe the 'Busway' should move forward with all due coarse," Governor Malloy said.

People would be able to board the bus at Hartford or New Britain and at several stops in-between on the nine and one half mile route.

"We're trying to grow our economy, grow accessibility and this is a very important part of that, to make sure that we have complements to our transportation system that provide for that connectivity," Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said.

"It's not just a transportation project that benefits the towns in between, it's part of a larger infrastructure development for the state of Connecticut that's going to benefit the entire state," said New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart.

It also would help relieve traffic on Interstate 84 between the two cities, one of the heaviest traveled roadways in the state.

And Malloy coupled it with another commuter rail project.

"I also believe that we need to move rapidly towards making money available to do the early work on the re-introduction of a Waterbury to Bristol connection," Malloy said.

But those opposed to building what is essentially a new roadway just for buses think Malloy's decision is the wrong one.

"$600 million for nine miles is wrong. You're looking at $60 million a mile," Rep. Frank Nicastro (D-Bristol) said.

Nicastro thinks it would make more sense and would be cheaper to do rail the entire distance from Waterbury to Hartford.

The 'Busway' was originally proposed more than a decade ago, with an original price tag of about $75 million.