Connecticut panel OKs $50 million for CTrail Hartford Line

Connecticut's State Bond Commission will provide $50 million in additional funding for the planned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter-rail project, which is also known as the  CTrail Hartford Line.

The funding will support the design and environmental permitting for new stations in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Enfield, as well as 7.5 miles of double track from Windsor to Enfield.

The money also will support the ongoing construction of 4 miles of double track between Hartford and Windsor, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) officials said in a press release.

Scheduled to launch in 2018, the 62-mile Hartford Line will provide more frequent trips between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, Mass. The project calls for a total of 17 round-trip trains a day to Hartford and 12 a day to Springfield.

The project also involves construction of 23 miles of double track along existing single-track sections, as well as five new interlockings.

CTDOT will replace the majority of the existing rail stations along the route and build several new ones. The expanded service and new stations are slated to increase ridership, expand intermodal transportation options and encourage economic development, CTDOT officials said.