NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – Connecticut broke ground Monday on the first phase of a billion-dollar-plus project to modernize the New Haven Line, with the goal of cutting approximately 25 minutes off the trip between New Haven and New York City by 2035.
A trip from New Haven to New York City currently takes approximately two hours.
The multi-year project is designed to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable service for the roughly 100,000 passengers who ride the line every weekday.
What the project includes
The first phase includes improving and upgrading track signals and infrastructure, as well as replacing a bridge in Stratford.
The project will also widen the space between tracks, allowing trains to reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour in certain sections.
Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said riders will notice the work in the short term but will see significant benefits once complete.
“Short term, passengers will see a lot of work along the railroad,” Eucalitto said. “Long term, it’s going to have significant time savings for its trips.”
Eucalitto said track infrastructure has been the limiting factor for train speeds in Connecticut.
“Trains have the higher operating speeds, but the tracks have always been the limitation for us in CT,” Eucalitto said. “That’s where we’re doing our part to upgrade the infrastructure.”
What leaders are saying
Gov. Ned Lamont called the groundbreaking a milestone for the state.
“Time for CT, high tide for this upgrade,” Lamont said. “One of the most significant upgrades in the history of rail in this state.”
Riders react
Elias, a Stratford resident who rides the New Haven Line to New York City, said the trip is not always smooth.
“There have been times I’ve had to stand up the whole time, not able to find a seat,” Elias said. “That’s a big chunk of time.”
He said a 25-minute reduction would make a meaningful difference.
“That would be incredible, you know,” Elias said. “That’s 40 minutes round trip I’m sitting on the train that I don’t have to be there.”
What’s next
Phases 2 and 3 of the project are set to begin in 2030 and 2031.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the state’s congressional delegation are pursuing federal funding for those phases.
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