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Rail News Home Amtrak

10/3/2012



Rail News: Amtrak

USDOT announces $120 million in high-speed rail funds for Connecticut


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The state of Connecticut will receive $120 million in federal High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funding to complete construction on the Hartford segment of the New Haven, Conn., to Springfield, Mass., passenger-rail corridor, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Monday.

When the project is completed in 2016, 11 additional round-trip trains will travel between Hartford and New Haven, for a total of 17 trains compared to six today.

Corridor improvements will reduce travel time between St. Albans, Vt., and New Haven, by more than one hour. The project involves installing 10 miles of double track, upgrading a signal system on a portion of the line and improving 28 grade crossings.

In addition, 13 bridges and culverts will be repaired or replaced, and four Amtrak stations will receive new, high-level platforms with overhead pedestrian walkways and expanded parking areas for rail customers.

Monday's announcement follows two additional HSIPR grants totaling $70 million for the New Haven-to-Springfield line, which were awarded in 2011. In total, the federal government has invested $191 million in the the line; collectively, the state and federal governments will provide a total of $365 million to help reduce travel times, improve reliability and capacity, improve safety and renovate four Amtrak stations in Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin and Hartford, USDOT officials said.