Connecticut governor expects passage of infrastructure plan

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's governor says he expects a comprehensive infrastructure funding package to pass the legislature in February.

A public hearing was held Friday on Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont's $19.4 billion infrastructure plan, called CT2030. The 10-year plan aims to improve roads, bridges, airports, rail and bus service.

The financing includes a controversial proposal to implement truck-only tolls. Neighboring Rhode Island installed truck tolls in 2018 to pay for road and bridge repairs.

Lamont said late Friday there's no better investment the state can make than in infrastructure.

“Senate and House Democrats are showing leadership in this critical area, and I look forward to achieving the goal of passing a comprehensive infrastructure funding package during the week of Feb. 10,” Lamont said in a statement.

Democratic leaders of the Connecticut House of Representatives urged the governor in November to reconsider tolling just big trucks, a concept Lamont campaigned on but later discarded in favor of tolling all vehicles.

Connecticut lawmakers return Wednesday to the state Capitol for a roughly three-month election-year legislative session. Republicans have indicated they can’t support truck tolls and trucking companies oppose the plan.