Hartford Line commuter rail to launch in June

The Hartford Line commuter-rail route in Connecticut and Massachusetts will begin serving passengers June 16, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced yesterday.

The department will hold an inaugural launch event June 15, followed by free weekend train service June 16 and 17. Full, expanded weekday service will begin June 18, with trains running every 45 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods, CTDOT officials said in a press release.

Seventeen daily trains will operate between New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, and another 12 will run each day between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. The line will provide direct or connecting service to New York City, Boston and Vermont.

CTDOT managed reconstruction of the existing rail line, which included installation of new ballast, track, bridges, culverts and signals. In addition, new train stations were built in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin, Connecticut.

Hartford Line trains will be able to operate at speeds up to 110 mph, CTDOT officials said.

The $769 million project was financed by three federal grants and state funds. In early 2017, Connecticut's State Bond Commission allocated $50 million for the Hartford Line.

"Getting new service on this line has been a monumental undertaking that has taken years of intense coordination to ensure the successful opening of service," said CTDOT Commissioner James Redeker.

In July 2017, CTDOT tapped TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts Inc. to operate and manage the Hartford Line. Amtrak is responsible for maintaining the railroad infrastructure, including track signals, train dispatching and right-of-way security.