High-speed commuter rail line to open in Connecticut

Written by Railway Age Staff
Hartford Line commuter rail

The new Meriden (CT) station was constructed as part of The Hartford Line project. Photo: Connecticut Department of Transportation

Connecticut will soon begin operations on a long-delayed interstate commuter rail line connecting the capital and one of the state’s largest cities.

The upgraded Hartford Line will open operations June 16 from Hartford to New Haven and Springfield, Mass.

Planning for the 62-mile, $700 million high-speed line began in 2004 as an alternative to congested I-91. Operations originally scheduled for late 2015 were repeatedly delayed as the state searched for funding.

Trains will run for free the weekend of June 16-17 to mark the commencement of service.

With a top speed of 110 mph, the 81-minute trip from New Haven to Springfield will cost $12, compared to $20 or more under Amtrak’s variable pricing, said James Redeker, the state transportation commissioner. New Haven to Hartford will cost $8.

Construction on the Amtrak-owned line, where track conditions limited operating speeds to 20 mph in some areas, involved new roadbed, track, bridges and culverts.

The project was funded through a combination of state funds and three federal grants, including one for $121 million in 2010.

There have been questions about the project, since the state will subsidize fares for gamblers traveling to the MGM Resorts International casino in Springfield, slated to open in September.

The Hartford Line will triple existing service from six daily round trips under Amtrak to 17 daily round trips from New Haven to Hartford, and 12 trains from Hartford to Springfield.

The Hartford Line will operate 16 trains leased from Massachusetts, at a cost of $4.45 million. Connecticut plans to buy new equipment in the coming years.

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