State Sen. Eileen M. Daily (D-Westbrook), Senate chair of the legislature's Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, Friday praised imminent final approval of state funding for upgrades to the Shoreline East rail line.

A total of $1.7 million will be used to overhaul 14 locomotives currently in service along the line.

The proposed bond allocation appears on the agenda of tomorrow morning's meeting of the State Bond Commission. Daily said she expects it to be approved at that time.

"There's no question but that the best way to relieve congestion on I-95 and along our shoreline is with a reliable, suitable alternate means of travel, and this bond allocation will help ensure the Shoreline East trains will run on time," Daily said. "This investment of state resources will help improve air quality by getting cars off the road, address quality of life issues by improving the efficiency of our regional transportation system, and create jobs in the process."

Shoreline East trains currently run seven days a week and provide service through Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Branford and New Haven, with limited weekday service to New London, Bridgeport and Stamford. The entire Shoreline East line is powered by push-pull diesel locomotives, 14 of which require extensive maintenance.

State officials say this investment of state funds will increase reliability of this equipment for the short term, to better serve Shoreline East passengers, and in the longer term extend its life expectancy so it's available for service along the planned New Haven-to-Hartford-to-Springfield rail line.

"The vitality of our Shoreline East railroad becomes increasingly important during difficult economic times, when residents need to circulate through the region but can't always commit to the expense of a car, and when more and more Connecticut vacationers are staying closer to home," Daily said. "These funds will help ensure the dependability of Shoreline East for the foreseeable future and I'm grateful to Governor Malloy and other members of the Bond Commission for their favorable consideration of this initiative."