HARTFORD, Conn. — Nearly $2 billion in federal funds awarded to Connecticut will help move along 10 transportation infrastructure improvement projects in the state, the governor and the Congressional Delegation announced Monday.
The Federal Railroad Administration selected the 10 projects in Connecticut for a total of $1.99 billion in federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It will be supported by nearly $400 million in state funds approved in October.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation commissioner said the grant funding will help address a backlog of major projects that will help improve the safety and reliability of the state’s rail service.
“Thank you to the FRA for supporting these projects and thank you to Gov. [Ned] Lamont and state legislature for ensuring we had the matching funds ready to go with our grant applications,” Commissioner Garret Eucalitto said.
Sen. Chris Murphy said in a statement that his top priority while writing the infrastructure law was to make sure it included “long-term, historic investments in modernizing the Northeast Corridor.”
“I’m thrilled that Connecticut is receiving $2 billion in federal funding to make our rail system faster, safer, and more advanced,” he said. “Investing in the future of rail in Connecticut is a no-brainer – it makes life easier for travelers and commuters, boosts economic growth, creates good-paying jobs, and helps fight the climate crisis. I will always be a champion for the [Northeast Corridor] in Washington.”
Connecticut will receive a total of $1,998,799,600 in funding for 10 projects, including:
Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project - $826.65 million
This project includes construction to replace the existing 116-year-old Connecticut River bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme with a modern and resilient new moveable bridge immediately to the south of the existing structure. The bridge serves the NEC main line as well as Amtrak’s intercity services, Connecticut Shore Line East commuter service, and freight operators.
WALK Bridge Replacement Project - $465 million
This project will replace the existing deteriorated bridge with a resilient bridge structure to improve the safety and reliability of rail service along the New Haven Line and NEC, while improving navigational capacity and dependability for marine traffic in the Norwalk River.
Devon Bridge Replacement Project - $245.92 million
This project will provide a safe and reliable bridge crossing for rail over the river and marine navigation under the rail. The Devon Bridge serves as a critical transportation link between Stamford and New Haven on MNR’s New Haven Line and between New York and Boston on Amtrak’s NEC and carries 6,300 passengers every day
New Haven Line Power Improvement Program - $122.8 million
This project is a phased approach to replace power equipment across three areas of the New Haven Line Power System, including the replacement of two signal substations, two balancing substations, and power apparatus at three supply substations.
Devon Bridge Interim Repairs - $119.32 million
This project will ensure the bridge can be structurally reliable until a major rehabilitation or replacement can occur, as described in the Devon Bridge Replacement description above.
Hartford Line Rail Program Double Track Phase 3B Project- $104.87 million
This project will improve three single-track sections (totaling approximately 6.2 miles of track improvements) to double-track sections to increase the frequency and speed of passenger rail service and to address the intercity transportation needs of Connecticut, Central Massachusetts, Boston, and Vermont.
New Haven Line Track Improvement and Mobility Enhancement Part 1 and 3 - $71.65 million
This project includes project development and final design for track improvements between mileposts 56.8 and 60.1 on the New Haven Line in Connecticut as well as reconstruction of seven rail overpass bridges and upgrade of all tracks to FRA Class 6 standards, track realignments, installation of a new interlocking, replacement of catenary system components, and railbed drainage improvements.
Saugatuck River Bridge Replacement - $23.2 million
This project will replace the bascule bridge, which carries four railroad tracks over the Saugatuck River in Westport, which will improve safety and allow increases to the maximum authorized speed through this section of track.
New Haven Line Network Infrastructure Upgrade Project - $15.4 million
This project will provide security infrastructure upgrades at stations throughout Metro-North Railroad territory and at Cos Cob bridge and network connectivity at 60 locations by connecting them to the 144-fiber optic backbone.
New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study - $4 million
This project is a planning study for future infrastructure, speed, and capacity improvement options between New Haven and Providence, RI.
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