HARTFORD, Conn. — A heads up for the morning commute on the rails!
Safety and track improvement projects begin Monday on the Hartford Rail Line, impacting the train schedule for the rest of the summer.
Travelers will need to catch the bus instead of catching the train for the next eight weeks because many of the Hartford Rail Trains can't safely operate with the ongoing construction project.
The buses in place of trains will run through Sept. 11, impacting some Amtrak trains as well.
Crews are working on the platform canopy roof at Union Station in Hartford, working on the roofing and lighting above the passenger boarding platform.
Gutters will also be replaced to prevent flooding and standing water build-ups.
In Windsor, track work is also on the list to help improve rider safety and train efficiency.
Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) spokesperson Josh Morgan said crews will be on site at Union Station to help travelers navigate through this new temporary process.
"We did have customer service representatives out there beginning at 5 a.m. this morning, people do rely on the Hartford Line to make sure they get to work either to New Haven or connecting to get down into Stamford and other places, so folks out there making sure people know where to go," said Morgan.
Travelers heading to work during these summer months are already seeing the impacts on their morning commutes on day No. 1 of the project.
"In the summer for us we have to go to work it doesn’t matter, but in the summer there’s actually a lot of kids that do take the train so for me anytime is not good," said Helen Xiong of Avon.
"There’s so much confusion, I'm asking where is the Providence, Rhode Island bus and they keep saying it’s coming and I’m like ok, I will wait," said Daniel Ita of Providence.
Hartford Rail Lines will still run on weekends and there will be a few that run outside of construction times, some including morning and evening trains.
Passengers are still required to purchase CT Rail tickets to board the substitute buses.
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