ENFIELD, CT – Yesterday, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), along with Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, Enfield Mayor Bob Cressotti, and others announced the official award of more than $13.8 million in federal funding to construct the new Enfield Train Station. The announcement comes after more than a decade of work to restore rail service to Enfield and northeastern Connecticut, and thanks to new federal funding the Enfield Train Station will become the newest stop on the CTrail Hartford Line.

The announcement marks the end of a more than decade-long effort by the Town of Enfield, members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, CTDOT, and local leaders throughout eastern Connecticut to secure funding to restore rail service in Enfield. The old Enfield Train Station—once a destination for President Harry S. Truman—operated for over a century before being closed in 1986. Now, thanks to a competitive U.S. Department of Transportation grant award of over $13.8 million through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, the train station will be restored. With federal funding now in place, construction on the new Enfield Train Station is projected to begin in 2024.

"When I got the call from Secretary Buttigieg that we'd finally broken through and secured funding to build the Enfield Train Station, it was one of the happiest moments in my time representing eastern Connecticut," Rep. Courtney said. "You couldn't find a community more passionate about securing this economic priority than Enfield, and it took every ounce of that passion to finally bring home this major award. Enfield is the largest town in eastern Connecticut, and restoring rail service to the region has been one of the most important goals of the Town, its citizens, and many others ever since the old station closed in 1986. For fifteen years, my office has worked side-by-side with them to hone the project proposal for the train station and to secure necessary funding—we've pulled together on-the-record support from dozens of local stakeholders, and we've kept pushing to find funding opportunities to make this dream a reality. It's finally paid off now, and I'm thrilled to know that the Enfield Train Station is officially on the way."

"This rail station is only the beginning of a transportation transformation that is happening in Connecticut," said Senator Blumenthal. "This $13.86 million in federal funds our delegation fought for is not only an economic boon, it's an environmental boost as well. Enfield's new, accessible station will spur development and put the area on the map, leading to more homes, more access to places of work, more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly paths, and lower emissions. This investment will make a huge difference in the lives of people in Enfield and northeast Connecticut."

"This funding would be a big deal in and of itself, but put in in the context of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which invests a record $30 billion in the Northeast Rail Corridor, this becomes a transformational project. Within five or ten years, you'll be able to get on a train here and seamlessly find your way to New York City at speed much faster than today, you're going to have new connections north that we couldn't have imagined a decade ago," said Senator Murphy. "Nobody in Washington has championed this project more than Joe Courtney."

"This is a game changing investment for Connecticut and the Hartford Line," Governor Lamont said. "When I talk about our infrastructure, I mean making investments in every part of the state. This new train station in Enfield will help further commercial and residential development in the area and spur increased tourism in the region. With easy access to Bradley Airport, downtown Hartford, and countless shops and restaurants, it's time that the Enfield Station returns to service."

"For more than 35 years, a train hasn't stopped in Enfield. Because of Congressman Courtney, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, and with the strong support of Governor Lamont, we will be closing this gap in service. The new Enfield station is truly a joint federal and state investment. Thank you to our elected officials who believe in transportation, support these investments, and advocate for our state," said DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti.

"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Congressman Courtney for all of his work and support on the grant award to Enfield," said Mayor of Enfield Bob Cressotti. "Today's event in town was special. With the plans of the new train station moving forward, economic development is a priority for the town of Enfield. Thanks also to Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, and Governor Lamont and his staff for their role in making this a reality."

The U.S. Department of Transportation will award a federal CRISI grant of $13,860,000 to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for construction of the new Enfield Train Station. The federal funding will enable CTDOT to conduct a necessary environmental review of the project, and to officially begin engineering, final design, and construction of the new Enfield Train Station. Project specifics include a 500-ft. level boarding platform, a utility building with waiting area, and station parking.

For more, and for more information on the new Enfield Train Station, contact Rep. Courtney's office.

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Eastern ConnecticutFederal Resources to Eastern ConnecticutTransportation & Infrastructure 

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