Nominee Gaffney Fesco urges rail access, cargo pivot at New London State Pier

Gaffney Fesco, nominated for a term on the Connecticut Port Authority board, testified Jan. 30 that the authority should emphasize restoring rail access to the New London State Pier and diversify pier activity to accommodate bulk and general cargo, in addition to offshore wind work.

Fesco, who serves on the Port Authority board in an interim capacity, said the state pier’s construction work is nearing completion but noted remaining remedial issues with the contractor that must be resolved before rail trackage can be extended onto the pier. “A port isn't a port unless it has a railhead, a rail connection,” he said, adding that the state should also consider warehouse improvements and additional storage acreage at the pier to increase throughput.

Fesco outlined several priorities: restoring rail access via the New England Central Railroad, coordinating with municipal ports in New Haven and Bridgeport to maximize statewide capacity, and working with the Connecticut Office of Tourism to attract cruise calls and boost visitor spending. He suggested outreach to recreational- and commercial‑fishing communities, environmental groups and regional stakeholders as part of an inclusive port strategy.

Committee members asked about federal offshore‑wind policy shifts and how the Port Authority should respond. Fesco said existing wind‑related contracts would continue to generate work in the near term but counseled a pivot to cargo and export markets if federal support slows. He emphasized marketing and business development to attract exporters and container traffic, and he noted New Haven already has rail intermodal capabilities while Bridgeport lacks rail access.

The committee moved Fesco’s nomination forward. Members praised his private‑sector and maritime experience and pressed for follow‑up on infrastructure remediation, rail projects and economic development strategies tied to port operations.