A bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers is urging the Department of Transportation to prioritize funding for two major improvements to the Danbury Branch of Metro North.  Bethel Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan and Bill Buckbee of New Milford are leading the group and say they want dedicated funding for the electrification between the South Norwalk and Danbury Stations as well as extending passenger rail service from Danbury to New Milford. 

The bipartisan federal infrastructure bill signed by the President last week is sending more than $5.38 billion to Connecticut.  The state would also be eligible to compete for more than $100 billion of federal transportation grants. 

Allie-Brennan says the vision for improving the state’s infrastructure must include electrification and extension because the general public for years has cited the need for upgrades.  He says these long needed upgrades will secure the economic vitality of the region while benefiting home values, relieving road congestion, and reducing the carbon footprint. 

Buckbee notes that it's been more than 50 years that commuter rail ran through New Milford and now that the resources are available to connect more travelers to quality public transportation. 

Opening in 1852, the Danbury Branch Line still uses diesel powered trains that push train cars to Norwalk to catch the New Haven main line and pull train cars to Danbury.