Connecticut Gov. Malloy highlights investments in New Haven rail yard

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) Commissioner James Redeker last week toured the New Haven Rail Yard, which is undergoing a $1.15 billion, multi-year upgrade and expansion.

Malloy also announced that a fifth new power supply substation has been put into service on the New Haven commuter-rail line, adding more redundancy and increasing options to reduce the chance of future prolonged power failures, state officials said in a press release.

"This rebuilding and expansion is the best demonstration of our commitment to investing in new facilities, maintaining our rail assets and providing the best and safest possible service to Connecticut commuters," Malloy said.

Connecticut's State Bond Commission, chaired by Malloy, recently approved $80 million for the rail yard program. The state funding will pay for a new warehouse for rail-car components, storage tracks for rail cars, demolition of an old storage facility and a pedestrian bridge linking Union Station and the yard so employees can more easily access the facility.

"We have seen what can happen when there's a major power failure on this railroad – disrupting service, inconveniencing commuters and the ripple effect into the local and regional economy," said Redeker, referring to last fall’s power outage on the New Haven Line in Mount Vernon, N.Y., which disrupted service for two weeks.

The officials' tour began at the yard's $215 million "Component Change-Out Shop," which features a 35-ton bridge crane and in-floor lifts that can lift cars individually or in pairs.

Last month, a fifth new power supply substation was put into service for the rail yard by United Illuminating Co. in partnership with ConnDOT. Previously, the yard was powered by the Devon Supply Substation in Milford. The new power source and its electric switch heaters will allow additional redundancy and power options to maintain and operate the New Haven Line more efficiently and safely, state officials said.