OLD LYME, Conn — Amtrak will soon construct a new, modern Connecticut River Bridge to replace the existing bridge that carries the Northeast Corridor rail over the water separating Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.
A release from Amtrak on Friday said the construction contract has been awarded to O&G/Tutor Perini, a joint venture. The milestone follows the recent approval of permits by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The new bridge will improve reliability and reduce delays for Amtrak’s intercity services, Connecticut Shore Line East commuter service and freight operators along the Northeast Corridor, which is America’s busiest rail corridor, the release said.
Amtrak plans to construct a new two-track bridge to replace the existing two-track bridge that sits roughly between New York City and Providence, R.I.
According to the release, the new, movable bridge will be located immediately south of the existing movable bridge. It will feature modern track, signal, catenary, power, communication and other supporting rail infrastructure.
The bridge will be designed with a maximum operating speed of 70 mph, a 55% increase from today’s maximum speed of 45 mph, the release said. Maritime navigation and safety will also improve due to additional vertical clearance compared to the existing bridge.
Additionally, the bridge is one of multiple passenger rail improvement projects in Connecticut, including DOT’s Devon Bridge and Walk Bridge replacement projects, among others.
“Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to putting shovels in the ground and kicking off construction for this major project,” said Amtrak CEO Stehen Gardner, in the release. “We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration and FRA for the historic funding that has enabled this project and others along the NEC to advance from planning to construction, as well as Sen. (Richard) Blumenthal, Sen. (Chris) Murphy, Gov. (Ned) Lamont and the (DOT) for their continued support and partnership.”
Blumenthal said the bridge is an essential part of the busy Northeast Corridor rail line but is in dire need of repair. He pledged in the release to keep fighting for federal resources to improve Connecticut’s aging infrastructure.
Lamont also weighed in, in the release.
“Maintaining infrastructure that is capable of safely and efficiently transporting people and goods throughout our region is critical for the economic growth of our state. This new bridge will ensure that rail service can continue in Connecticut for many years to come,” Lamont said, in the release.
Murphy called investing in the future of rail in Connecticut a “no-brainer” and said it makes life easier for travelers and commuters, boosts economic growth, creates well-paying jobs and helps fight the climate crisis.
“Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this $1.3 billion investment to replace the aging Connecticut River Bridge will keep our railways safe, cut travel times and improve Amtrak’s rail service for Connecticut riders,” Murphy said, in the release.
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Garrett Eucalitto, commissioner of DOT, said the new bridge will serve the entire Northeast Corridor and will help realize Lamont’s goal of improved rail connectivity north to Boston and south to Washington, D.C.
“The new structure, built by Connecticut’s building trades, will improve safety, reliability and increase operating speeds along the long. DOT is grateful for the continued support of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, the advocacy of our Congressional Delegation and collaboration of our partners at Amtrak,” Eucalitto said, in the release.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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