SE Connecticut News

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today announced that Connecticut has been awarded two grants totaling more than $85.2 million from the Federal Railroad  Administration for major infrastructure improvement projects on the  Northeast Corridor.The funds will be used for two significant capital  projects that improve safety and reliability along the Connecticut-owned  New Haven Line and the Amtrak-owned Shore Line East, ensuring no  disruptions occur along the Northeast Corridor. They are being awarded  under the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Grant Program.

The first grant, in the amount of $65.2 million, will support the  replacement of the existing Amtrak-owned Connecticut River Bridge  between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme with a modern and resilient new  moveable bridge. The project will improve safety, reliability, and trip  time. Maximum speeds will increase from 45 miles per hour on the current  span up to 70 miles per hour. The existing 115-year-old Connecticut  River Bridge poses a significant risk of long-term disruption to the  Northeast Corridor due to its age and condition. The bridge serves the  Northeast Corridor main line and is used by Amtrak’s intercity service,  Shore Line East commuter rail service, and freight operators. The  replacement bridge will maintain the two-track configuration and  existing channel location and provide a moveable span with additional  vertical clearance for maritime traffic. Delays from bridge openings  will be significantly reduced, and Amtrak will realize maintenance  savings from the new structure. Today’s grant marks the second  Federal-State Partnership program contribution toward the project, with  an additional $65.2 million being awarded in fiscal year 2020. The  Connecticut Department of Transportation and Amtrak will provide a 38%  match.

The second grant, in the amount of $20 million, will support phase one  of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s overall plan to  replace the seven power substations along the New Haven Line, beginning  with the replacement of the first two. These substations have not been  repaired or renovated since the 1980s. The upgraded substations will be  more reliable, more energy efficient, and less costly to maintain. The  aging power infrastructure poses a significant risk of rail service  disruption, and maintaining the assets is essential to ensuring reliable  train service for passengers.

Governor Lamont said, “We all know how critical the Northeast Corridor  is for job creation, economic growth, and environmentally friendly  transportation. Our administration has a vision for faster, more  reliable, and greener public transportation, and we are doing everything  possible to make that vision a reality. Thanks to these grants, that  reality is moving one step closer. We can’t do it alone as a state, and I  am thankful for the continued support from our federal partners, our  Congressional delegation, and Amtrak. Together, we’re continuing to  bring more trains and services to Connecticut travelers and throughout  the Northeast Corridor.”

In a joint statement, the members of Connecticut’s Congressional  delegation said, “The Northeast Corridor is one of the busiest rail  lines in North America, with more than 144,000 commuters using the New  Haven Line and Shore Line East daily to travel to work or visit family.  This critical Federal Railroad Administration funding will provide  desperately needed improvements to the New Haven Line and Shore Line  East, paving the way for more reliable and faster public transportation.  This important investment in Connecticut upgrades the power supply and  removes a major chokepoint along Shore Line East by replacing the  outmoded, deteriorating Connecticut River Bridge. We will continue to  fight for federal funding to improve Connecticut’s infrastructure.”

Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said, “We  appreciate the Federal Railroad Administration’s ongoing support of  Connecticut’s rail infrastructure, which will help improve safety and  reliability along the Northeast Corridor. Governor Lamont has challenged  us from day one to improve services and speed up trains, and with these  grants, we continue to move in that direction. The rails running  through Connecticut are vital to the Northeast Corridor and New  England’s transportation network. These investments will ensure that  safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation options are  maintained and modernized.”

Dennis Newman, executive vice president of strategy, planning and  accessibility for Amtrak, said, “Amtrak is grateful to the Federal  Railroad Administration for awarding two grants totaling more than $85.2  million to fund critical infrastructure projects on the Northeast  Corridor in Connecticut – the New Haven Line Power Program and  Connecticut River Bridge. The funding from these grants will help  modernize the infrastructure in the state and improve the reliability of  both commuter and intercity train services to provide a better travel  experience for Connecticut residents and visitors.”

Original source can be found here.