State DOT commissioner outlines $15 billion capital plan, warns of federal funding risk to rail projects

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner U visited the Central Naugatuck Valley COG to brief regional leaders on the agency’s priorities, funding pressures and risk to rail projects if Congress does not reauthorize a multimodal surface‑transportation bill.

The commissioner said the agency recently released a five‑year capital plan programming $15 billion and stressed the state’s projects are largely focused on preservation: "the vast majority of our program is now repairing and replacing our infrastructure." He noted progress on bridge condition — citing a drop in bridges rated poor from about 10% in 2012 to 3.8% last year — but warned that inflation in highway construction (roughly 70% over the past three and a half years by the construction index) and rising debt service are constraining the Special Transportation Fund.

Commissioner U told members the STF now dedicates roughly $1 billion a year to debt service and another $660 million to transit operating support. "We are going to have to take some steps to address that" in the next two years, he said, and urged local leaders to press the federal delegation to protect multimodal funding adjusted for inflation.

Members asked specifically how near‑term federal timing could affect regional rail projects and the Waterbury branch. The commissioner said the surface‑transportation authorization expires Sept. 30 and that a continuing resolution would preserve formula funds but could suspend discretionary competitive programs that fund freight and passenger rail projects. He called passenger and freight rail discretionary programs (such as Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements and State Partnership grants) essential and said the federal outlook makes discretionary grants uncertain.

On rolling stock timing, Commissioner U said the first new rail car will arrive as a test train late this fall and the remainder of the fleet will be delivered in early 2027, with in‑service operations thereafter. He emphasized the Waterbury branch remains a high‑performing corridor and denied plans to reduce service there.

What happens next: the commissioner urged a coordinated state and local advocacy push for a multimodal reauthorization that preserves discretionary rail funding and includes inflation adjustments; regional leaders said they will follow up with DOT and seek meetings with federal officials and FRA leadership to press their case.