Gov. Malloy: Connecticut passenger-rail lines will meet PTC deadline

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Wednesday that all passenger-rail lines in the state will be equipped with positive train control (PTC) by Dec. 31, fulfilling the Federal Railroad Administration mandate.

"Safety has always been our top priority and I am pleased to report that Connecticut passenger-rail lines will be in full compliance with the new federal requirements, said Transportation Commissioner James Redeker in a press release issued by the governor's office.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) owns the portion of the New Haven Line between New Haven and the New York state border, and Amtrak owns the Hartford Line between New Haven and Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as the Shore Line East between New Haven and New London.

On the New Haven Line, CTDOT partnered with MTA Metro-North Railroad for PTC installation. Metro-North achieved a milestone over the summer by implementing civil speed enforcement, a key component of PTC that prevents trains from traveling too fast around a curve or over a bridge, state officials said.

Metro-North also completed installation of all PTC hardware, trained its employees, acquired all necessary radio spectrum and began operating a segment of Hudson Line track under full PTC.

PTC will be in operation on each of the Amtrak-owned lines by Dec. 31.