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7/1/2024
Amtrak last week awarded a contract to O&G/Tutor Perini, a joint venture, to begin construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge.
The contract was awarded following recent permit approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Amtrak officials said in a press release.
The $1.3 billion project calls for construction of a two-track bridge to replace the existing two-track Connecticut River Bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, Connecticut, roughly midway between New York City and Providence, Rhode Island.
The new moveable bridge will be located south of the existing bridge, featuring modern track, signal, catenary, power, communication and other supporting rail infrastructure. It is designed to improve reliability and reduce delays for Amtrak’s intercity services, Connecticut Shore Line East commuter service and freight operators along the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
When completed, the new bridge will allow speeds of up to 70 mph, a 55% increase from today’s maximum speed of 45 mph.
The existing 1,500-foot-long Connecticut River Bridge opened in 1907 and is one of several moveable rail bridges along the NEC. Today, it is used by more than 50 daily Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains, CTrail Shore Line East service and various freight trains.