$121 million for Springfield-bound high-speed rail line

MERIDEN, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut and federal officials are set to announce $121 million in federal funding for a high-speed rail project between New Haven and Springfield.

In addition to Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who will announce the funding, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin support the 62-mile project.

It calls for service every 30 minutes during peak periods and every 60 minutes at other times. Speeds would reach up to 110 miles an hour. Malloy's office projects 1.26 million riders annually by 2030.

The state says it expects to finish design work next year and launch service in 2016. As of last year, Connecticut earmarked $286 million in bonding for the projected cost of $800 million.

Officials are scheduled to announce the funding in Meriden on Monday afternoon.