DANBURY — News that U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., has requested a $2 million grant to take the city’s idea for a fast track to Grand Central station to the next step energized City Hall, which considers the project a key component in the downtown’s revitalization.

“Once considered a long shot, a direct passenger rail line to New York City via the MTA Harlem line is becoming more and more of a reality because of the tremendous support seen across our city,” Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito said in a prepared statement on Wednesday.

Read more: “Danbury’s ‘long shot’ fast track to NYC now ‘more of a reality’ with hope of $2M federal grant” in the NewsTimes.