A $19 million line item in the new federal budget that's dedicated to much-needed improvements and modernization along the Northeast Rail Corridor is being seen as potentially leading to more federal funding.The special allotment marks the first time in recent memory that federal money has been specifically dedicated for projects along the aging 557-mile stretch of railway from Washington, D.C. to Boston. It's the busiest passenger rail corridor in the nation.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy acknowledges the amount pales in comparison to the estimated $21.1 billion that's needed to address a backlog of projects.
But he says it's a "foot in the door" that could lead to more funding to help states upgrade the infrastructure. Some of the corridor’s bridges and tunnels are more than 100 years old.
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