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10/31/2022
Amtrak late last week announced plans to enter the procurement phase early next year on selecting a contractor to build the new Connecticut River Bridge.
The bridge replacement project will involve a design-bid-build model, Amtrak officials said in a press release. The project will improve passenger-service reliability and decrease delays due to trains traveling on more modern infrastructure, they added.
The selected contractor will build a two-track, electrified and movable bridge structure equipped with new track, signals, catenary, power, communication, controls and security features. The new structure is expected to reach a useful life of 150 years, Amtrak officials said.
Collectively, Amtrak, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration are providing $500 million for the project. Amtrak expects to award the design-build contract in late 2023 and begin construction in early 2024.
The Northeast Corridor bridge was built in 1907 and is used by Amtrak, CT Rail Shore Line East and freight railroads.
Amtrak's new Capital Delivery department is spearheading the new bridge and several other major infrastructure improvement projects.