The New England Central Railroad freight line from New London to the Massachusetts border is in line to receive a $10.2 million upgrade described by federal, state, regional and local officials as a “game changer” in transportation and economic development potential for eastern Connecticut.

With Tuesday’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Transportation approved Connecticut’s full $8.18 million request to upgrade the freight line running along the west side of the Thames River, the pieces are in place to upgrade the entire rail line all the way to Brattleboro, Vt.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney,

D-2nd District, announced the grant award, which supporters hope will bring economic development and possible future passenger rail service to the region.

The grant is part of the $600 million, highly competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The U.S. DOT received applications totaling $9.5 billion.

“Given the popularity and demand for funding through the TIGER program, a successful outcome on this project was far from assured,” Courtney wrote in his announcement.

The grant was one of two TIGER grants the state received Tuesday, the other being $14.4 million for projects associated with the Waterbury train station, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said. The state has received five TIGER grants totaling $53.1 million to upgrade the state’s transportation network, he said.

“This project reinforces our commitment to modernizing Connecticut’s rail infrastructure by finally linking us with the national freight rail network,” Malloy said.  “By moving this project forward, we will provide additional shipping capacity, increase mobility for goods, reduce transportation costs and roadway congestion, all of which will help our economy and create jobs.”

Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, which owns the rail line, has committed $2 million. The funding will pay to replace 19 miles of older, jointed rail not designed for today’s heavy loads and will install more than 15,000 new ties and 15,000 tons of ballast, railroad officials said.

The state of Connecticut has provided a $3.6 million Fix Freight First grant to the New England Central corridor.

Plans and funding are now in place to upgrade the entire rail line, said Charles Hunter, assistant vice president of government affairs for Genesee & Wyoming. He said Genesee & Wyoming will complete agreements with the state and federal departments of transportation over the next few months and hopes to start construction by next summer. The project is expected to take six to nine months.

No local zoning permits will be needed, and all work will be done within the railroad rights-of-way, Hunter said. Special machinery that runs along the track will allow work along cramped tunnels or densely developed areas, Hunter said.

Construction on the Vermont-New Hampshire section — a $52.7 million high-speed rail upgrade along with a $9 million TIGER grant upgrade — is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Hunter said. The $25 million Massachusetts portion received state bonding approval earlier this year, but construction has not yet started, Hunter said.

Officials throughout the region applauded the announcement Tuesday, thanking Courtney and Democratic U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Senate Surface Transportation Subcommittee, and Chris Murphy for their work to secure the grant. Municipal and regional leaders sent numerous letters of support for the project and Courtney hosted a forum at Union Station in New London June 30 to demonstrate support for the project.

“That’s terrific news,” said Todd O’Donnell, co-owner of Union Station. “It will get that project up and running. It’s an important first step to get freight rail opened up through central Connecticut and obviously the next step would be to get passenger rail going to (the University of Connecticut).”

Supporters have touted the passenger rail potential, calling it a “learning corridor” that could connect colleges and universities, such as Connecticut College in New London, Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, UConn and several Massachusetts colleges and universities.

“I am like the Cheshire cat, grinning from ear to ear,” said Norwich City Manager Alan Bergren. “…These upgrades benefit not only eastern Connecticut, but it benefits the whole state, connecting a deepwater port (in New London) through three states into Canada. This is the last leg of the project that was needed.”

The freight rail line runs directly by one of Norwich’s biggest industrial taxpayers, U.S. Foods on Otrobando Avenue. The giant food distributor has expanded several times at that location, and Norwich hopes improved freight capacity will solidify the company’s presence.

“This kind of infrastructure investment is exactly what our region needs to drive our economy forward,” New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said. “Congressman Courtney and all the regional partners who worked so hard on this deserve our thanks and gratitude.”

New London Economic Development Coordinator Ned Hammond recalled that during the building boom, lumber was transported from Canada through New London for the construction industry. He hopes to see that trade route enhanced again.

Tony Sheridan, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, called the project the first step in improving the region’s rail transportation system, including possibly adding passenger service to the line that runs alongside the Mohegan Sun property and connects the region’s colleges.

“It’s a big deal for this area,” said Sheridan. “It opens the door to a lot of potential development.”

Courtney said the project started to move forward in January, when Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act that included the $600 million TIGER program. Train excursions along the rail line showed state and federal officials conditions along the way and raised awareness.

“This is huge, absolutely huge,” Blumenthal said. “It’s a true game changer, potentially revolutionizing rail transportation in eastern Connecticut and providing an economic boost, a new learning corridor. It’s a tremendous step forward for all of Connecticut and most particularly for eastern Connecticut.”

“Ultimately, and most importantly, these projects translate into jobs for people in Connecticut,” Murphy said. “That’s our number one priority, and I could not be more excited to see these projects completed.”

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday