Ct. looks to sea to ease road congestion

Connecticut is one of eight states selected to compete in America's Marine Highway Program, a federal Department of Transportation initiative to encourage use of waterways to reduce traffic congestion and move freight along the country's coastlines.

"We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce traffic volume on our highways, and this is a creative solution," Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Wednesday.

The state DOT submitted an application for enhanced service across Long Island Sound, from New London to Orient Point, N.Y., to move freight more efficiently from New England to New York and beyond. Connecticut will work with New York state to refine the proposal. The competing states have a chance at a share of $7 million in federal funds for marine highway projects.