Regional high-speed rail planning picks up speed

HARTFORD, Conn. The three states have received $160 million in federal stimulus money for track improvements to link high-speed trains from New York City to New Haven, Conn., and north to Hartford, Conn., Springfield, Mass., Vermont and on to Montreal.

Backers say the regional project can reduce traffic on Interstate 91 and promote economic development by bringing high-speed passenger rail service to inner cities.

But Mary Meixell (mike-'SELL), a management professor at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., said questions remain such as cost and whether motorists can be persuaded to swap their cars for a train seat.

Officials have a meeting in Hartford on Thursday to give an update.