HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Officials from northwestern Connecticut say improvements to the Housatonic Railroad Line should be part of any statewide transportation overhaul.

Both state and local officials are supporting a bill that would fix up the existing freight rail line to prevent derailments. The bill also calls for resurrecting passenger rail service from New York City, through northwestern Connecticut and on to Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

The legislation comes as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is set to unveil his 30-year, statewide plan on Wednesday to overhaul Connecticut's transportation system.

Kent Rep. Roberta Willis last week told the General Assembly's Transportation Committee about how the state of Massachusetts is committing millions of dollars to rebuild the section of tracks in that state, to bring them up to modern standards and to accommodate passenger rail.