By Michael Walsh

Governor Dannel Malloy approved plans to build a rapid bus transit system that would connect Hartford to New Britain.

“The busway is ‘ready to go’ with 80 percent federal funding and a commitment from the Federal Transit Administration to sign a Full Funding Grant Agreement,” Malloy said in a statement on Monday.

Malloy met with both advocates and opponents of the busway before making his decision on the often-delayed project.

“Gov. Malloy’s decision to construct the busway is a visionary choice for the future of our region and the whole state,” said Rep. Tim O’Brien in a press release issued Monday. “It will create new economic development and jobs and new community development opportunities. I am proud that we have a governor who believes in building the economy of our state by investing our state’s first rapid transit system.”

Opponents say that the project would be too expensive and would squash any future plans of having a light rail be constructed in its place.

A major reason for Malloy’s decision to push on with the project is the possibility of leaving federal funds on the table in regards to this particular project. In a letter received from the FTA, Malloy was told that should the state withdraw the project and seek funding consideration for an alternative rail system the state would have reenter the competitive process.

“Even if the state completed all the necessary requirements, there is no guarantee that the $275 million Connecticut would forgo now in New Starts funds would be available to the state in the future,” said Malloy in his statement. “Connecticut has a track record of leaving federal funds on the table. I am unwilling to run the risk of losing additional federal funds. It is time to break with history. The timing is right to undertake this project.”

The busway, which will be located less than two miles from the CCSU campus, has been under consideration since 2003.

“New Britain is fortunate to be at the center of Connecticut’s first rapid transit line,” said O’Brien in his statement. “It will mean that our city will have opportunities for business and economic growth and jobs into the future and that New Britain will be at the center, in our state, of transit-oriented development in neighborhoods. And the many, many construction jobs will mean employment and new opportunities for many, many New Britain residents.”