Information Center

An ambitious strategy to spark economic growth in Connecticut's aging city centers is taking shape in Meriden.  Read complete article >>

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor is the most important in the nation. But the stretch between Washington, D.C., and Boston has decayed. Fortunately, the U.S. Senate has passed legislation that, if it becomes law, will begin to get the track back into shape.

A key provision of the bill requires Amtrak to spend profits from its Northeast routes exclusively along the Northeast Corridor. That's up to $400 million a year. The requirement is long overdue.   Read complete article >>

Failing to invest in Amtrak’s busy Northeast Corridor is just plain dumb, in the eyes of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

“In business terms,” Blumenthal said this week, “it is like killing the goose that lays the golden egg.”

Blumenthal and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, both D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5, held a celebratory press conference Wednesday at the Legislative Office Building to trumpet the recently passed U.S. Senate transportation funding bill that includes about $3.11 billion for railroad investment and infrastructure, more than $300 million of that for the Northeast Corridor.  Read complete article>>

Calling it a matter of fundamental fairness, the state's Congressional delegation is celebrating legislation that would ensure profits from Amtrak's popular Northeast Corridor line are not siphoned off to fund rail service in other regions.

"This is a win for justice,'' said Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat from the 5th District and a member of the House committee overseeing transportation.     Read complete article>>

Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy are among a group of nearly a dozen Democratic U.S. senators trying to derail a proposed cut in Amtrak funding and instead help the passenger rail company tackle billions of dollars in backlogged repairs and capital improvements.

Blumenthal said Americans will take to the roads this Memorial Day weekend, and a lack of infrastructure spending will result in “a lot of cursing and fist-shaking.”  Read complete article>>

The 21,000 concrete railroad ties stockpiled in the Amtrak rail yard on State Street in Meriden make it easier to grasp the scope of construction along the CTrail Hartford Line corridor.

The $639 million project is updating the rail corridor to include double tracking and facilitate more frequent commuter trains between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield. The corridor crosses through many cities and towns, including Wallingford, Berlin and North Haven, as well as Meriden.

The concrete ties being stored at the rail yard in Meriden will be used to build a second track in the central Connecticut area, said John Bernick, assistant rail administrator for the state Department of Transportation. New wood ties on the existing track were installed in 2010, Bernick said.

Read the complete Record-Journal article.

Future updates on the status and location of construction activities will be provided on the NHHS Rail Program website at www.nhhsrail.com, Facebook, Twitter and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS Rail Program website.

On April 1, 2016, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a service provider on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield intercity rail line, now branded as the CTrail Hartford Line. The RFP is open only to those service providers approved and “short-listed” after a Request for Qualifications issued by CTDOT in 2014.

“The Hartford Line service provider will be responsible for hiring personnel, operating trains, maintaining stations, parking facilities, and overseeing station advertising,” said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker.  “Meanwhile, as the line owner, Amtrak will remain responsible for right of way maintenance, signaling and train dispatching.”

Under the RFP, responding companies will be required to provide a price proposal for providing the service, as well as a more in-depth description of their qualifications, and a technical proposal detailing how they will staff, operate and maintain Hartford Line passenger rail service for the CTDOT. Final selection of a service provider is scheduled to occur in late 2016.

The CTrail Hartford Line service will provide more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity  trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield. The expanded service and new stations are expected to increase ridership, improve travel times, expand intermodal transportation options, encourage economic development and create more livable and sustainable communities.

The expanded service is scheduled to begin in January 2018.

Read the official CTDO press release here.



The Spring 2016 edition of the NHHS Rail Program newsletter is now available on the Program website (see link below).

Highlights of this edition include:

• State Bond Commission Approves Funding for Hartford Line Construction and Final      Design for Additional Stations
• CTDOT Seeks Hartford Line Service Provider
• Selection of Ticket Vending Machine Contractor
• Major Construction Continues at Hartford Line Stations

View the newsletter here.

With structural steel beginning to go up, work on a new train station on State Street is finally out of the ground and in full view.

The local station, as well as stations in Wallingford and Berlin, comprise just one section of work being done across Southern New England to upgrade 62 miles of track between New Haven and Springfield, known as the Hartford Line.

The ultimate goal of this $650 million project — for which the state of Connecticut, Amtrak and Federal Rail Administration have partnered — is to offer more frequent train stops and entice commuters to use rail travel more consistently.

Read the complete article in the Record Journal.

Members of the town council will consider two preliminary design concepts for a future train station in Thompsonville and are expected to endorse one at a council meeting next week.

On Monday, February 29th, representatives from the state Department of Transportation and Parsons Brinckerhoff, the principal consulting firm tasked to complete the design, presented two plans to the town council and about 50 residents at Edgar Parkman Elementary School. The station would be situated along the Connecticut River.

Both concepts include a 500-foot platform on each side of the tracks along North River Street, as well as a redesign of North River Street to include a new turnaround for car and bus traffic and a turnaround next to the Bigelow Commons apartments. The Main Street train-bridge would be redone to allow buses to travel underneath, Parsons Brinckerhoff's Robert Yirigian said.

Read the complete article here in the Hartford Courant.

On February 29, 2016, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that is has selected a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) System contractor for the CTrail Hartford Line (formerly referred to as the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line). The $3.4 million contract was awarded to Trapeze Software Group, Inc., based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, through a competitive procurement process. Trapeze Software Group will be responsible for designing, assembling and installing TVMs.  The contract also includes operation, service and maintenance of the equipment for a five-year period. 

A total of 20 state-of-the-art TVMs will be installed at stations with Hartford Line service, including those in New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford and Springfield. These “kiosks” will be located on platforms and in stations for passengers to quickly and easily purchase tickets before boarding.  Each TVM will provide audio and visual messages and instructions, as well as the capability for users to select up to four languages. The TVMs will dispense CTrail regional, Shore Line East, Metro-North Railroad, CTfastrak and CTtransit tickets and discount types, as well as enabling customers to pay for parking at the stations.  TVMs will also process bill, coin and credit/debit cards and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Read the complete CTDOT press release here.

There will be no more cost overruns or construction delays on the Hartford Line commuter rail project, the president of Amtrak said at a Senate hearing.

Amtrak is keeping close watch on the $574-million construction job and is confident it will be ready for trains to start running in January of 2018, Joseph Boardman said at the hearing Tuesday.

State Transportation Commissioner James Redeker told The Courant on February 24th that construction is now running slightly ahead of the revised schedule, and that Amtrak's new project management team is keeping the DOT well informed about progress.

"I think they're doing everything in their power to meet or beat their commitment," Redeker said.

Read the complete article here.

On December 4, 2015, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced an agreement with Amtrak to complete the Hartford Line, receiving guaranteed agreements for cost ceilings and a clear timetable for work completion. 

The completed Hartford Line will triple the number of trains between New Haven and Hartford and doubling the service between Hartford and Springfield. The program is now in construction and work is progressing rapidly. Four station projects are in construction and due to be completed prior to the launch of service, while critical fiber optic signal cable and communication nodes are installed along the corridor to power a brand new signal system including Positive Train Control. Every weekend, centuries-old and undersized culverts and drainage structures are replaced. The roadbed is currently being excavated for the second track.

"We are getting this project done. Instead of letting this languish for years and years, we are stepping up to the plate as a state to stand up for better transportation, more jobs, and economic development. This is a transformative project - and we have a commitment to get it done," said Governor Malloy, who chairs the Bond Commission.  "The future Hartford Line will provide access to jobs for residents along the corridor as well as better connections to Metro-North service along the Connecticut coastline.  Communities that will be served by the Hartford Line are planning transit-oriented development projects around their stations, including Meriden, which already has a mixed use development in construction right across the street from the station. With this agreement, we are taking the next steps to achieve a best-in-class transportation system."

The State Bond Commission next week will vote to approve an allocation of $155 million to complete construction of the future Hartford Line, a final installment to upgrade the line and launch expanded rail service between New Haven and Hartford. As part of the agreement, Amtrak will deliver service with a clear ceiling for costs and a clear timetable for completion. 

Read Governor Malloy’s complete press release here.

Beginning on Friday, October 16th and concluding by Sunday, October 18th, there will be construction activity on the rail line in the area of Cedar Street and Liberty Street in the town of Newington. Work will include the replacement/rehabilitation of culverts.  The work will occur during the 32-hour period beginning at 10PM on Friday and concluding at 6AM on Sunday.  While no vehicular traffic impacts are anticipated, there will be construction noise throughout this period and temporary lighting to support overnight work in the area.

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

Future updates on the status and location of construction activities will be provided on the NHHS Rail Program website at www.nhhsrail.com, Facebook, Twitter and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS Rail Program website.

On September 15, 2015, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the members of Connecticut's Congressional delegation announced that the State of Connecticut has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to conduct a study of transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunities in the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail corridor, also known as the Hartford Line.  The federal funding will be matched by $200,000 in state funds.

"We are working to transform how we travel, to boost efficiency, grow our economy, and build a Connecticut for the future.  The economic opportunities across the Hartford Line corridor - from New Haven, through Hartford, and extending to our northern border - are exceptional.  This grant will help us identify the projects that will give the biggest bang for our buck," Governor Malloy said.  "Investments in transit are investments in growing our economy and expanding jobs.  The significant interest in new development around our CTfastrak bus stations is what we're hoping to - and going to - replicate around the Hartford Line, because the same potential exists to connect people, their employers, and their communities."

"Investment in transit is about more than transportation - it is about growing jobs and strengthening our local economy," the members of Connecticut's Congressional delegation said in a joint statement.  "The Hartford Line will unlock new economic development possibilities up and down the corridor, connecting commuters to newly accessible employers, and creating prime, new sites for transit-oriented housing and business development.  This grant provides important planning funds to ensure Connecticut is making the most of this powerful opportunity, and we look forward to continuing to support the Hartford Line and the growth that it brings."

Connecticut was selected on a competitive basis through the United States Department of Transportation's Transit-Oriented Development Pilot Planning Program.  The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will receive funding to advance TOD at four new stations - in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford and Enfield - as well as the two stations that will be relocated in Windsor and Windsor Locks.  This grant will guide CTDOT and its partners toward the implementation of a corridor strategy for TOD to increase ridership, enhance affordable housing opportunities, create mixed-use development to activate station areas, and link people to jobs through multimodal transportation connections along the entire corridor.

"As a result of the expanded passenger rail service provided by the new rail service, we anticipate TOD projects in many towns along the 62-mile rail corridor," CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said.

The new Hartford Line will provide more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity and regional trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield (i.e. every 30 minutes during peak rush hours and every 60 minutes on off‐peak times).

Read the press release here.

Northeast Regional and Vermonter Services: Track Work Affects Service between New Haven and Springfield

Effective on Select Weekend Dates Starting August 28 through December 13, 2015

Track work being performed between New Haven and Springfield, will affect Northeast Regional and Vermonter service at the following stations: Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Springfield.

Friday Service Changes: August 28, September 11 and 25, October 02, 16, 23 and 30, November 06 and 13 and December 11

Northeast Regional Trains 136 and 148                                                                 

•Trains 136 and 148, which normally operate from Washington to Springfield, will terminate at New Haven, where bus service will be provided at all remaining stations on the route: Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Springfield.

Saturday Service Changes: August 29, September 12 and 26, October 03, 17, 24 and 31, November 07 and 14 and December 12

Northeast Regional Trains 140, 143, 146, & 147

•Trains 140 and 146 will operate between Washington and New Haven. Passengers will be provided bus service at all stations from New Haven to Springfield.

• Trains 143 and 147 will originate in New Haven. Passengers will be provided bus service at all stations from Springfield to New Haven.

Vermonter Trains 54 and 57

•Train 54 will operate from Washington to New Haven, where all passengers will detrain and board a bus to Springfield and all intermediate stations. At Springfield, passengers will transfer to Train 54, serving all remaining stations on the route.

•Train 57 will operate from St. Albans to Springfield, where passengers will detrain and board a bus to New Haven and all intermediate stations. At New Haven, passengers will transfer to Train 57 serving all remaining stations on the route.

Sunday Service Changes: August 30, September 13 and 27, October 04, 18, 25, November 01, 08 and 15 and December 13

Northeast Regional Trains 143 and 157

•Trains 143 and 157 will operate between New Haven and Washington. Bus service will be provided at all stations from Springfield to New Haven.

Reservation and train status information is available on Amtrak.com, our free mobile apps and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

To read the complete Amtrak Service Change annoucement, click here.

To accommodate a long-term track work project, several Springfield Shuttle trains will be canceled and bus service will be provided, as described below:

Monday through Friday Service Changes: Effective through July 2016

Springfield Shuttle Trains 470, 476, 479, 490, 493 and 495

The trains shown above will be canceled on Monday through Friday until July 2016. Passengers will be provided bus service between New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Springfield.

Southbound Weekday Buses Depart 30 Minutes Earlier

Effective August 24, 2015 through July 2016, all southbound weekday buses will depart all stations 30 minutes earlier than the respective trains.

Saturday Service Changes: Effective through December 2015 - August 29, September 12 and 26, October 3, 17, 24 and 31, November 7 and 14 and December 12

Saturday Springfield Shuttle Trains 450, 460, 464, 488, 405, 401, 463 and 467

On the Saturdays listed above, the trains indicated will be canceled. Passengers will be provided bus service at all stations on the route.

Reservation and train status information is available on Amtrak.com, our free mobile apps and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

To read the complete Amtrak Service Change announcement, click here.

In order to improve customer service and ensure better connections on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line, Amtrak has revised the schedules for substitute bus service that has been implemented to accommodate construction along the rail corridor, effective Monday, August 24, 2015.

The busing of Amtrak shuttles will occur Monday through Friday and continue through July 2016. The following Amtrak shuttle trains will be bused to and from New Haven Union Station and Springfield Station:

- Shuttles from New Haven, Connecticut to Springfield, Massachusetts: #490 (8:40 a.m.), #470 (10:30 a.m.) and #476 (5:20 p.m.).

- Shuttles from Springfield, Massachusetts to New Haven, Connecticut: #495 (7:10 a.m.), #493 (10:30 a.m.) and #479 (7:25 p.m.). Buses will depart from Lyman Street.

Buses destined for New Haven will depart Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford 30 minutes earlier than the respective train schedules.  Otherwise, there will be no change in schedule, stops or connections.  Amtrak passengers will board the bus at their respective stations and proper busing signage will be placed on buses and Hartford Line Stations.  Additional Amtrak station service personnel will be on site in New Haven and Springfield to answer questions, as well as to direct passengers to their appropriate bus during this transition.  In addition, announcements will be made on Amtrak trains traveling north from New York City to Hartford Line stations.

Reservation and train status information is available on Amtrak.com, their free mobile apps and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Read the complete CTDOT press release here.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that on Monday, August 3, 2015, Amtrak will begin a substitute bus operation for certain morning and evening New Haven to Springfield Amtrak shuttles. The busing is necessary to accommodate construction of a second track as part of the New Haven – Hartford –Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. The start of major track construction marks a significant milestone toward the launch of enhanced Hartford Line rail service. The addition of a second track will allow for an increase in service from the current six round trip trains per day to 17 round trips per day south of Hartford and 12 round trips per day north of Hartford.

The busing of Amtrak shuttles will occur Monday through Friday and last for approximately one year. The following Amtrak shuttle trains will be bused to and from New Haven Union Station and Springfield Station:

• Shuttles from New Haven, Connecticut to Springfield, Massachusetts: #490 (8:40 a.m.), #470 (10:30 a.m.) and #476 (5:20 p.m.).
• Shuttles from Springfield, Massachusetts to New Haven, Connecticut: #495 (7:10 a.m.), #493 (10:30 a.m.) and #479 (7:25 p.m.). Buses will depart from Lyman Street.

Buses destined for New Haven will depart Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford 20 minutes earlier than the respective train schedules. Otherwise, there will be no change in schedule, stops or connections. Amtrak passengers will board the bus at their respective stations and proper busing signage will be placed on buses and Hartford Line Stations. Additional Amtrak station service personnel will be on site in New Haven and Springfield to answer questions, as well as to direct passengers to their appropriate bus during this transition. In addition, announcements will be made on Amtrak trains traveling north from New York City to Hartford Line stations.

For more information on this busing operation, contact Amtrak Customer Service at 1-800-872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com

Read the complete CTDOT press release here.

On Wednesday, Governor Dannel P. Malloy joined state and local officials and private developers to break ground on the construction of a mixed-use residential and retail complex and parking garage on Colony Street in Meriden as part of a larger plan to establish a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) district in connection with the city's new Intermodal Transit Center.

The construction of the new mixed-use complex and garage is a collaborative effort between the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), Meriden Housing Authority (MHA) and the Connecticut-based Westmount Development Group.  It is expected to generate $36.67 million in regional economic activity and create 259 new jobs.

"With this investment, we are revitalizing an area of downtown Meriden that will be a catalyst for further growth and private investment and will connect residents to increased transit opportunities, increased economic activity, and increased job opportunities," Governor Malloy said.  "The commuter rail line that we are creating from New Haven to Hartford and ultimately to Springfield will connect our cities up and down the I-91 corridor, building transit corridors that will transform Connecticut and our economy - and this location in Meriden will be a key hub of that activity.  There is no doubt that transportation and Connecticut's economic future are tied together.  By investing in our transportation system, we are investing in our economic future and the future of our towns and cities."

Read Governor Malloy's complete press release here.

CTDOT will host two public information meetings regarding improvements to be made at State Street Station in New Haven, in addition to certain railroad grade crossings and the Batchelder Road Bridge in Windsor.

The meeting in New Haven will occur on Wednesday, July 22, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Program Room of New Haven Free Public Library, located at 133 Elm Street.

The meeting in Windsor will occur on Wednesday, July 29. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Ludlow Room of Windsor Town Hall, located at 275 Broad Street.

When Connecticut promotes development around the stations of the CTfastrak busway and the planned Hartford Line commuter rail system, should it encourage high-density housing, medium-density apartments with green space or mixed-used residential and commercial complexes?

The Capitol Region Council of Governments is co-sponsoring a survey that asks state residents what kind of transit-oriented development they would prefer around the stations.

The survey, which will be available online until the end of May, is designed partly to encourage Connecticut residents to envision the different types of housing and retail businesses that could rise alongside the rail and bus lines.

Read the complete article in the Hartford Courant and click here to take the short survey.  

The CTDOT and states across the country are promoting National Work Zone Awareness Week from March 23 – 27, 2015.  A harsh winter will bring a lot of maintenance activity on our roadways and other projects that have been in a lull during the winter months will start up again in earnest as the warm weather arrives.

The national and state campaigns are designed to raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of work zones in an effort to increase the safety of workers and motorists on the roads.

“Connecticut and the nation are committed to increasing motorist and worker safety in work zones and reducing highway fatalities and injuries,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “Our safety partners understand the risks and are committed to doing whatever needs to be done to protect the people that not only work on our roads but also the people that drive on our roads.”

Read the complete March 20th CTDOT press release.

In accordance with Stipulation VIII.A.5 and VIII.C.2. of the Programmatic Agreement between the Federal Railroad Administration, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department), the Federal Transit Administration, Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (2012), the Department is making the draft Memorandum of Agreement and draft Treatment Plan available for public review along with the Technical Report on Historic Architectural Properties.

The comment period will be open until Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Visit the website's document library section to read the documents.

Please contact Stephen V. Delpapa, CTDOT Transportation Supervising Planner at (860) 594-2941 with questions or comments.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is seeking to engage a qualified and experienced contractor to provide the services required for train operations and station and parking management for CTDOT’s new CTrail Hartford Line passenger rail service between New Haven, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts. CTDOT is issuing this RFQ to solicit Statements of Qualifications from those interested in being considered for this project.

The deadline for submitting responses to the RFQ is February 27, 2015, when a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued. Responses to the RFP will be due in September 2015.

The RFQ may be found at: http://www.biznet.ct.gov/SCP_Search/BidDetail.aspx?CID=34451

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that $5.75 million approved this morning by the State Bond Commission will be used to advance design plans and address environmental issues for new railroad stations on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line (NHHS) and the New Haven Line. The funding will be combined with another $4 million in previously approved funding.

Now branded as the “Hartford Line,” the new NHHS line stations will be in Enfield, West Hartford, Newington and North Haven. Also included are enhancements to existing stations in Windsor Locks and Windsor, and a location study for a future Hamden station. On the New Haven Line, new stations will be added in Orange and Bridgeport (to be known as Barnum Station, a second station in the Park City), plus enhancements to the existing Merritt Seven Station on the Danbury Branch of the New Haven Line.

“Creating a commuter rail line along the I-91 corridor is part of our transformative transportation vision for Connecticut,” Governor Malloy said. “This bond authorization will give this important project needed momentum. Completing environmental work and design is what will propel the projects toward reality. This $365 million project will improve the quality of intercity service along the corridor and enhance regional rail connections.”

Read the complete January 12, 2015 press release.

As work on two new train platforms in town progresses, town officials and business leaders say they’re nothing but optimistic about the changes they’ll bring.

The platforms will be built as part of a statewide expansion and update of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line, which Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Thursday dubbed the “Hartford Line.”

Though construction hasn’t begun on the platforms, the areas on North Cherry and North Colony streets where they’ll stand has been cleared of trees and debris, said Tim Ryan, the town’s economic development specialist. These platforms, as well as stations in Meriden and Berlin, are expected to be complete by late 2016, when the entire rail service will be launched.

Until then, Ryan and Town Engineer John P. Thompson, as well as other town and state officials, are working on redeveloping the area to best take advantage of the new platforms and rail service.

“We’re taking a very aggressive position on development opportunities around the railroad station,” Thompson said. He noted the Transit-Oriented District that surrounded the rails in downtown Meriden as “potential opportunity” for Wallingford — something that Ryan echoed as well.

Read the complete article in the Record Journal.

On Thursday, January 8^th, Governor Dannel P. Malloy toured the Meriden train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) rail corridor, which is the site of an ongoing transit-oriented development (TOD) project with a primary focus on stimulating the area within a half-mile of the proposed new Meriden Intermodal Center. In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Governor Malloy outlined his long-term vision for investing in upgrading and modernizing Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure.

“This project will transform the 91 corridor with high speed rail while revitalizing cities and towns between New Haven and Hartford,” said Governor Malloy. “The citizens and business community in Meriden and its surroundings will benefit from our investments for years to come. This is a terrific partnership, and I would like to thank the city and the Connecticut state agencies that are moving this project forward – Transportation, Economic and Community Development, and Energy and Environmental Protection.”

Read the complete January 8, 2015 press release.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has issued a request for qualifications seeking a service provider to operate the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield passenger-rail line beginning in late 2016, the department announced late last week.

CTDOT is searching for an operator for the 62-mile long train line, now branded as the CTrail Hartford Line. The operator will provide train crews and station maintenance services, according to a CTDOT press release.

The deadline for the RFQ is Feb. 27, 2015, when a request for proposals will be issued. Responses to the RFP will be due in September 2015, with selection of a service provider anticipated for December 2015, department officials said.

Read the complete article in Progressive Railroading.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced that it is seeking a service provider to operate the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield passenger rail line beginning in late 2016. CTDOT today issued a “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) for potential service providers of the 62-mile long train line, now branded as the CTrail Hartford Line. This operator will provide train crews and station maintenance services.

“This $365 million High Speed Rail Project will improve the quality of intercity service along the corridor and enhance regional rail connections,” said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “Connecticut will add 22 CTrail trains per day to the 12 trains that Amtrak currently operates . This Project will make rail travel far more attractive and competitive in the corridor.”

The deadline for submitting responses to the RFQ is February 27, 2015, when a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued. Responses to the RFP will be due in September 2015. CTDOT anticipates selecting a service provider in December. The quality based competitive procurement of a contractor is intended to develop the best customer service and most reasonable costs. The Department is committed to an open process and welcomes the participation of its current contractors (Metro-North and Amtrak) as well as others in the industry.

Read the complete December 18, 2014 press release

Five empty buildings, three owned by the town and two by the state, are being demolished along a short stretch of Farmington Avenue.

"The two owned by the state were torn down in preparation for the new high-speed railroad train," Town Manager Denise McNair said Wednesday. "The town's parcels were vacant and dangerous, so are being cleared for public safety."

The two parcels demolished by the state are closer to the current 110-year-old train station on Depot Road off Farmington Avenue. It is the first station south of Hartford on what will become a new New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line that will have 17 trains dispatched daily on a two-track system to improve commuter service from the shoreline into central New England.

Read the complete article in the Hartford Courant.

The Fall 2014 edition of the NHHS Rail Program newsletter is now available on the Program website (see link below).

Highlights of this edition include:

• Governor Malloy Announces Start of Construction for New Train Stations as Part of NHHS Rail Program
• Hartford Line Logo Unveiling
• Operation Lifesaver Promotes Safer Crossing of Train Tracks
• Traffic Preemption Systems Provide Safety along the Hartford Line

View the newsletter.

In an effort to attract businesses to the area around the future train station downtown, the town has submitted an application to the state Office of Policy and Management to receive funding for a transit-oriented development study.

As part of the state Department of Transportation’s plan for high-speed commuter rail service between New Haven and Springfield, Mass., a new train station will be built on North Cherry Street. In preparing the downtown area for the train station, town officials, such as Town Planner Kacie Costello and Economic Development Coordinator Don Roe, hope to receive a state grant to conduct a TOD study.

The study would allow officials to “see what would fit and what wouldn’t work in terms of trying to figure out a way to attract capital investment in downtown,” Roe told the Town Council at a Nov. 11 meeting.

“We’re trying to figure out ways to link the station, which is now in the extreme edge of downtown ... and bridge that to downtown to create a better relationship between increased rail services and downtown businesses,” Roe said.

Read the complete article in the Record Journal

Once home to Connecticut Telephone and Electric, a thriving telecommunications and auto parts manufacturer, the 90,000-square-foot factory at 70 Britannia St. now sits vacant. But state transportation officials see promise in the four-story brick factory building.

The property was one of four statewide recently identified by the Department of Transportation as being vacant and having the potential for redevelopment. Other former industrial properties identified by the state are in West Hartford, Hartford and Windsor Locks. Each property is adjacent to the Amtrak railroad right-of-way and may be eligible for federal or state tax credit programs, according to the DOT.

“If you’re a developer, you might say ‘let’s tear this thing down,’” said John Bernick, assistant rail administrator for the DOT. “But it might make better economic sense to keep the structure and rehabilitate it.”

Bernick said the rail corridor between New Haven and Springfield has been deemed historic due to the construction of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail. In August 2012, an agreement between the DOT, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration and Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office was established to mitigate the impact of construction on historic structures.

Read the complete article in the Meriden Record Journal

The Federal Railroad Administration came to Gateway Community College Monday night with three separate visions for the future of the Northeast Corridor, some of which might be reduce the focus on the Elm City.

The federal agency has spent nearly three years and held more than 200 public meetings as it tries to prioritize spending on the future of the nation’s busiest passenger rail line. Next fall, the agency will release the first draft of its plan, said Rebecca Reyes-Alicea, program manager for NEC Future, the Federal Railroad Administration’s comprehensive planning initiative for the rail line’s next 25 years.

“We want to do it right,” Reyes-Alicea said. NEC Future will hold forums similar to Monday’s open house over the remainder of the year and then begin work on writing the first draft of its plan.

The first of three scenarios that the Federal Railroad Administration is looking at is an option that would involve only modest upgrades along the Northeast Corridor that would be focused on the immediate growth needs of the regional rail service providers like Metro-North, but would facilitate only small increases in ridership and do little to promote longer-haul train travel.

The second scenario being considered would expand the role of passenger rail service by maximizing the existing Northeast Corridor right of way, building out the line to four to six tracks in some spots.

The third and final option under consideration would dramatically remake the rail line by building new speed routes, creating a Northeast Corridor 2.0 in essence.

Read the complete article in the New Haven Register

As part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program’s commitment to the Programmatic Agreement (PA), executed on August 2, 2012, by the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (CTSHPO), and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), the Program Team has identified four vacant historic industrial properties adjacent to the NHHS rail line in Connecticut that may be eligible for Federal or State Historic Preservation Tax Credits.

The four vacant industrial properties adjacent to the Amtrak railroad right-of-way are:

- The former Connecticut Telephone and Electrical Company plant (70 Britannia Street, Meriden)

- The former United Upholstering Company building (1041 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford)

- The former Connecticut Electric Steel Company building (540 Flatbush Avenue, Hartford)

- The Former J. R. Montgomery plant (Canal Bank, Windsor Locks)

Currently, there are both federal and state tax incentives available for rehabilitating Connecticut’s historic industrial buildings, all of which are administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Offices of Culture and Tourism. The chief point of contact is:

Ms. Julie Carmelich

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development

Offices of Culture and Tourism

One Constitution Plaza

Hartford, CT 06103

860-256-2762

julie.carmelich@ct.gov

To read the complete Technical Memorandum: Identification of Vacant Historic Industrial Properties, visit: http://nhhsrail.com/pdfs/technical%20memorandum%20identification%20of%20vacant%20historic%20industrial%20properties.pdf

Information on the federal tax incentives is available online at: http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3933&q=302266.

Information on the state tax incentives is available at: http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3933&q=430786.

Demolition of the former YMCA and Stone Insurance building at 88 State St. in Meriden began Monday to make room for a parking lot for a new train station on the New Haven- Hartford-Springfield rail line. Work in surrounding towns in preparation for new train stations is also underway.

Demolition of the State Street building follows the award of a $58.8 million station construction contract to New York-based Judlau Construction, announced by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy last week.

John Bernick, assistant rail administrator at the state Department of Transportation, said Monday that the state received six bids for the work and accepted the lowest bid, per state regulations. He added that the DOT follows explicit regulations to go with the lowest bidder in selecting contractors and does not have the leeway to select contractors based on location or other factors.

The contract includes building stations and platforms in Meriden, Wallingford and Berlin, in addition to site work and the demolition of the Meriden building. The demolition will clear space for a 79-space lot on State Street.

Construction on the stations will begin this fall. They are expected to be complete by late 2016, when the entire rail service will be launched, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The rail project means improved track and signals along the 62-mile corridor, upgrades to bridges and culverts to accommodate double tracking, upgrades to at-grade crossings to enhance safety, improving existing stations and building new ones, and providing new train equipment.

Improvements at the stations will include high-level platforms on both sides of the tracks, overhead pedestrian bridges with new elevators and stair towers, platform snow-melt systems, electric vehicle charging stations, ticket vending machines and passenger information display systems, PA and high-resolution video surveillance systems, as well as improved access and parking from the street, according to the statement.

Read the complete article in the Meriden Record Journal

Although it’s considered an artery of downtown Meriden, just a few years ago Colony Street was quiet. It lacked not only prospects, but people walking the street to promote business activity, said Economic Development Director Juliet Burdelski.

But in the past two years, there has been growth, enough so that city officials, property owners and businesses are excited about the future. Much of the change came with the approval of a transit-oriented development district in August 2013, bringing with it regulations to promote residential and commercial development.

The section of Colony Street closest to West Main Street is considered “the bull’s-eye of Meriden’s transit-oriented development,” Burdelski said. With the state preparing to build a new train station as part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail upgrade, the city is well-positioned for downtown growth. With a transit hub in place, a successful downtown plan includes “walkable” streets, Burdelski said.

Read the complete article in the Meriden Record Journal

On October 24, 2014, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) announced the start of construction for new train stations in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin as part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. Governor Malloy also unveiled the logo for the new commuter service, which will be branded the "Hartford Line," and will be prominently displayed at all Hartford Line stations and in marketing materials.

"This is a major milestone for NHHS as it enters the construction phase at stations in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin," said Governor Malloy. "The NHHS Rail Program will not only offer more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service, but it will also cultivate significant benefits to communities along the rail line, including local economic and transit-oriented development activities at and around these stations, with the ultimate goal of increasing municipal revenue, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for residents and increasing our competitiveness as a state."

Station construction in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin is scheduled to begin this fall and will be completed by the launch of enhanced rail service in late 2016. Improvements at these stations include high-level platforms (both sides of the track), overhead pedestrian bridge with new elevators and stair towers on both sides of the track to connect the two platforms, platform snow melt systems, electric vehicle charging stations, ticket vending machines and passenger information display systems, PA and high-resolution video surveillance systems, increased parking capacity and roadway access improvements, improved accessibility for the mobility impaired/ADA compliant and bicycle racks.

Funded through the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) created under President Barack Obama in 2008, and State of Connecticut bonds proceeds, the NHHS Rail Program will provide significant new regional passenger rail service options as a key component of a robust and vibrant multi-modal regional transportation system. The station construction contract was awarded to Judlau Construction of New York at a value of $58.8 million.

Scheduled to launch in late 2016, the enhanced rail service between New Haven and Springfield, with portions of the line from New Haven to Windsor, will be double tracked, and will provide faster, frequent and more reliable passenger service both locally and regionally.

Read the complete October 24, 2014 press release.

The New Haven to Springfield commuter rail service that's scheduled to begin in 2016 will be called the Hartford Line, said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who announced Friday, October 24^th, that station construction will start this fall in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin.

Running a high-frequency schedule of trains along the Amtrak route paralleling I-91 will get traffic off the highway, reduce workers' commute time, and encourage new retail and housing development around the stations up and down the line, according to Malloy and the state transportation department.

The single track carries about six long-distance Amtrak trains each way daily, chiefly aimed at feeding its Northeast Corridor service between Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. Connecticut plans to add a second track along most of the route, and run 12 to 17 trains a day, mostly for commuters.

The Hartford Line service will link Connecticut River Valley communities with more than a dozen others in New Haven, Fairfield and Westchester counties.

"This is a major milestone for NHHS as it enters the construction phase at stations in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin," Malloy said in a statement. "The NHHS rail program will not only offer more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service, but it will also cultivate significant benefits to communities along the rail line."

The announcement drew statements of praise from legislators representing both political parties.

"I look forward to the upcoming improvements at the Wallingford train station and hope this revitalization creates a better opportunity for locals to travel and draws visitors to our downtown area - supporting our local small businesses," said Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-86th District.

"Improving rail access to New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield will help draw commuters and their families to Meriden, helping to attract local businesses. said Sen. Dante Bartolomeo, D-13^th District.

Read the complete article in the Hartford Courant

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy visited Enfield Thursday to tour a proposed train stop along North River Street in Thompsonville. Before leaving, Malloy said he supported the project and was "prepared to move the project forward."

Discussion on a train stop started around 1977, deputy mayor Bill Lee said Thursday, but picked up speed about ten years ago when a feasibility study was created in 2005.

The Enfield Station is along the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Line.

Read the complete article in the Hartford Courant

On Thursday, September 25^th, Governor Dannel P. Malloy visited the future site of the Thompsonville Transit Center in Enfield to meet with town officials and discuss the future development of the proposed passenger rail station, which will serve on the planned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail line.

Read the complete September 24, 2014 press release

On Thursday, June 26, 2014, officials from the U. S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) toured parts of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program and CTfastrak project sites.

Sites toured included Berlin Station, the Mattabesset River Crossing and sections of the CTfastrak project that run along the NHHS rail corridor in Newington, West Hartford and Hartford.

CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Deputy Commissioner Anna Barry and CTDOT officials associated with these two projects offered FRA officials an in-person review of improvements to be made to the NHHS rail corridor, which are designed to provide enhanced, regional passenger rail service.

“The tour was a great opportunity to keep federal officials informed on Connecticut’s major transportation programs,” said John Bernick, CTDOT Assistant Rail Administrator. “The Department looks forward to hosting such visits as the NHHS Rail Program moves into construction and toward service launch in 2016.”

For more information on the NHHS Rail Program, visit www.nhhsrail.com. You may also visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more about CTfastrak, visit www.ctfastrak.com.

Residents can expect a quieter city by the time the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail project is completed in late 2016. State Department of Transportation officials during a public meeting Wednesday night outlined proposed changes for the rail project and how improvements will impact the areas near street crossings.

Among the most noticeable changes will be the absence of train whistles. Conductors now are required to blow the whistle while crossing over streets. Instead, wayside horns will be installed and blow when trains are passing through, said DOT project engineer Eric Bergeron.

“Instead of the horn being blown from the engine, it will be blown from a pedestal-mounted speaker so we can focus the noise right on the roadway rather than it blasting through the whole downtown,” Bergeron said.

Train whistles in Meriden typically echo throughout much of the city, but the change, Bergeron said, would focus nearly all of the noise on the roadway area where the train is passing over. Bergeron said municipalities could also apply for “quiet zones” where there is no whistle at all, which city officials have in the past expressed an interest in, but there is often difficulty in getting approvals.

Read the complete article in the Meriden Record Journal: http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/4799441-129/rail-line-will-be-getting-quieter.html

CTDOT will host public information meetings regarding improvements to be made at railroad grade crossings in Wallingford and Meriden.

The meeting in Wallingford will occur on Monday, June 16^th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Wallingford Public Library, located at 200 North Main Street.

The meeting in Meriden will occur on Wednesday, June 18^th. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Griffin Room of the Meriden Public Library, located at 105 Miller Street.

The Spring 2014 edition of the NHHS Rail Program newsletter is now available on the Program website (see link below).

Read recent Program news including:

• Construction Activity
• Customer Service Enhancements
• Interactive Program Map

View the newsletter.

Work on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program continued throughout the state this week. Crews from Amtrak were downtown working on the first stage of construction for the rail corridor. Traffic was stopped intermittently Monday morning as workers were busy installing underground signal and communication cables.

John Bernick, project manager for the state Department of Transportation, said the work started in the fall and crews have been in and out of Meriden for several months. Fiberoptic cables and signal cables have to be installed for a new communications system.

On Monday, a cable train, pulled by a locomotive, placed the cable 6 feet into the ground. After the work in Meriden was finished, it traveled to Windsor Locks, Bernick said Tuesday.

The new systems will mainly benefit the trains’ engineers, letting them know the tracks are clear and at what speed they can travel. The new train control system will have a failsafe feature, Bernick said.

“If an engineer exceeds speed or passes a train too closely, the system will override and the train will shut down,” Bernick said.

All this technology is supported by the cables, he said.

Bernick said the crews will be in Meriden in the coming months. The goal is to get most of the cable installed in the next year.

State Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, said she’s very excited about the work. She said the new train service will remake downtown Wallingford and entice business.

“I’m thrilled it’s coming,” Mushinsky said.

Read the complete article in the Meriden Record Journal.

Connecticut has put together a $15 million pot of public and private money to spur new housing and commercial development along the CTfastrak busway and Springfield-New Haven commuter rail route, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday.

New residential and business development along the routes are key goals for Connecticut, which is pumping roughly $1 billion worth of federal grants and its own money into building the new transit systems.

The state and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority each will put $1 million into the fund to join $13 million of private capital provided by Local Initiatives Support Corp., a non-profit that helps arrange transit-based residential and business projects.

"Since taking office, we have invested in projects like CTfastrak and the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line because we know they will be catalysts for further growth and private investment that will revitalize communities," Malloy said at a press conference in Hartford.

As fund manager, LISC will work with the state government to identify properties within a half-mile of stations on the busway and New Haven-Springfield rail corridor with the potential for transit-oriented development. The fund will provide "early state capital" for design, site and building analysis, zoning and property acquisition, the company said in a statement.

Read the complete article in the Hartford Courant

On April 30, 2014, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the creation of a $15 million Transit Oriented Development Pre-Development and Acquisition Fund to provide financing that will encourage developers to carry out transit oriented development in communities with station stops along the CTFastrak and New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) transit corridors.

The state and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) will each contribute $1 million to the fund, which will be added to $13 million of private capital provided by LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Connecticut, who will also serve as the fund manager.  Transit-Oriented Development prioritizes the development of a mix of uses – new housing, retail and commercial office space – near transit hubs to encourage the use of mass transit, reduce reliance on driving, and foster more dense, liveable, walkable communities.

Read the complete April 30, 2014 press release

A day after appearing in town to receive an honor from the town’s Economic Development Commission, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced last week that Berlin would be the recipient of a $500,000 grant for improvements along Train Station Boulevard.

“We are investing in the Train Station Boulevard project to create a more accessible, more walkable hub for transit, commerce and culture in downtown Berlin,” Malloy said. “Across Connecticut, we are making similar investments in capital projects and working with municipal partners to boost local economies, improve the quality of life for residents and increase our competitiveness as a state.”

Plans for the area, at and around 889 Farmington Avenue in the Kensington section of town, include improving access to the town’s planned new train station with a new “boulevard-style entry.” A new police station is also in the works, along with upgraded parking to the tune of 48 new spaces. The project, scheduled to begin this summer, requires the demolition of two industrial buildings that have been designated as brownfields, as well as improvements to existing structures.

Read the complete article in the New Britain Herald

The state has taken another step towards expanding commuter rail service between New Haven-Hartford-Springfield in 2016.

On Wednesday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced what was described as "a significant milestone in progress to provide more robust commuter service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line: the state will be seeking proposals from railroad companies to begin operating the service in 2016."

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be seeking proposals in the next six to 12 months. Current service is provided by Amtrak, which owns the line.

The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program (www.nhhsrail.com) will provide significant new regional passenger rail service options as a key component of a robust and vibrant multi-modal regional transportation system. With funding from the new High-Speed Intercity Rail Program created in 2008, the NHHS Rail Program will provide the infrastructure and trains to operate some of the nation’s best passenger rail services.

Read the complete article in the Suffield Patch

On April 2, 2014, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced a significant milestone in progress to provide more robust commuter service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line: the state will be seeking proposals from railroad companies to begin operating the service in 2016.

“Like the I-95 corridor across southern Connecticut, the I-91 corridor through the center of Connecticut is a vital artery for economic development and jobs growth,” Governor Malloy said. “Enhancing commuter rail service between New Haven and Springfield will benefit commuters and their employers, and will reduce traffic congestion by taking cars off the road, with the added bonus of reduced pollution.”

The Governor continued, “As the gateway to New England, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail program will also facilitate improved service to Massachusetts, Vermont and eventually Montreal. New train service will connect communities, generate sustainable economic growth, help build energy independence, and provide links to travel corridors and markets within and beyond the region.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be seeking proposals in the next six to 12 months. Current service is provided by Amtrak, which owns the line.

Read the complete April 2, 2014 press release

On April 2, 2014, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced a significant milestone in progress to provide more robust commuter service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line: the state will be seeking proposals from railroad companies to begin operating the service in 2016.

“Like the I-95 corridor across southern Connecticut, the I-91 corridor through the center of Connecticut is a vital artery for economic development and jobs growth,” Governor Malloy said. “Enhancing commuter rail service between New Haven and Springfield will benefit commuters and their employers, and will reduce traffic congestion by taking cars off the road, with the added bonus of reduced pollution.”

The Governor continued, “As the gateway to New England, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail program will also facilitate improved service to Massachusetts, Vermont and eventually Montreal. New train service will connect communities, generate sustainable economic growth, help build energy independence, and provide links to travel corridors and markets within and beyond the region.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be seeking proposals in the next six to 12 months. Current service is provided by Amtrak, which owns the line.

Read the complete April 2, 2014 press release

Commuters along the I-91 corridor can expect a new way to get to work in late 2016 when trains begin running a relatively high-frequency schedule between New Haven and Springfield, transportation planners said Wednesday night.

But who will operate the service is still undecided — and might be for another year or more.

Many state politicians have assumed that Amtrak would run the trains because it owns the 62-mile rail line. Others were looking for Metro-North to get the contract because it runs Connecticut's busy New Haven Line, along with the Waterbury, New Canaan and Danbury branches.

But in a two-hour meeting Wednesday night at Hartford's Union Station, state Department of Transportation managers told the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council that no choice has been made yet.

"It's in internal discussions at this time," said John Bernick, project manager with the DOT. "It's a very sensitive issue."

Connecticut is spending more than $400 million in state and federal funds to modernize the lightly used Amtrak line, add a second set of tracks, rebuild bridges, renovate stations and install modern signals and new grade crossings. The goal is to have the system ready to accommodate commuter service by December 2016, with 17 round-trips a day between New Haven and Hartford — including 12 that will continue north to Springfield.

Read the complete story in the Hartford Courant

CTDOT will conduct a Public Information Meeting concerning Hartford Union Station. The meeting will be on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of Hartford Union Station, One Union Place.

The project improvements include construction of high-level passenger boarding platform and a second set of egress stairs. Additional enhancements will include a passenger information display system, security cameras and ticket vending machines.

All persons interested in this project are welcome to attend this meeting and discuss the project with CTDOT personnel. 

Spring 2014 Edition of the NHHS Rail Program Newsletter Now Available

The Spring 2014 edition of the NHHS Rail Program newsletter is now available.

Read recent Program news including:

• Construction Activity
• Customer Service Enhancements
• Interactive Map

View the newsletter.

Despite difficulties of an ambitious national high-speed rail proposal, transportation planners in four states and the province of Quebec are busily promoting something similar — though probably more modest — to link Boston, New York and Montreal.

The project will take the cooperation of Massachusetts and the five railroads that own tracks along three corridors that need extensive construction or upgrades: New Haven to Springfield, Springfield to Boston, and Springfield to Montreal.

Read the complete story in the Hartford Courant

On Thursday, January 23, 2014 a public hearing was held at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in Springfield, Massachusetts to collect input on the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative, a plan to improve intercity rail service not only east-west over the 99 miles between Springfield and Boston, but north-south serving New Haven, Springfield and Montreal. All told, the east-west and north-south routes total 470 miles.

The initiative would work with other separate rail projects, including the rehabilitation of Springfield's Union Station underway now, said Paul Nelson, a manager of corridor planning with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Transportation officials from Vermont and Connecticut attended the January 23rd night meeting, and the government of Quebec, Canada, is involved as well.

Read the complete story in the Boston Business Journal

Amtrak continues the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. This work is required to upgrade signal and communication systems for the NHHS rail corridor and prepare for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.

As part of this work, beginning the week of January 20thand concluding no later than January 31st there will be construction activity at the South Colony Street Bridge. Work includes pile installation and will occur during the daytime hours of 7AM-330PM. Local traffic will have access to South Colony Street and all other traffic will be detoured to Cook Avenue.

Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Every effort will be made to limit traffic disruptions.   

Future updates on the status and location of cable installation activities will be provided on the NHHS Rail Program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS Rail Program website.

Progress Update:  Cable installation activity began in October 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2014. To date, more than 52% of the construction work has been completed.

Contact:  Amtrak, Peter Finch, finchp@amtrak.com  

On January 23^rd the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative, a study to examine opportunities and impacts of more frequent and higher speed intercity passenger rail service on the Inland Route (connecting Boston-Springfield-New Haven) and the Boston-Springfield-Montreal Route (connecting Boston-Springfield-Montreal) will be held at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 60 Congress Street in Springfield, MA at 7:00 p.m.

This study is led by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Vermont Agency of Transportation, in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

This meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. To request any language (non-English) interpretation assistance, American Sign Language interpreters, assistive listening devices, handouts in alternative formats, or information on the meeting, please contact Jill Barrett by email jbarrett@fhiplan.com or by phone (860) 570-0740 by January 13, 2014.

Flyer in English

Flyer in Spanish

On Tuesday, December 10, James Redeker, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, appeared on WNPR’s Where We Live radio show, hosted by John Dankowsky.

Commissioner Redeker discussed the latest in infrastructure, transit-orientated development, among others, including the NHHS Rail Program.

Read what Commissioner Redeker had to say.

Amtrak continues the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. This work is required to upgrade signal and communication systems for the NHHS rail corridor and prepare for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.

As part of this work, beginning the week of October 28^th there will be construction activity at grade crossings in the town of Windsor. Work at the following locations, which includes excavation, backfilling and final paving, will occur during the daytime hours of 7AM-330PM, with at least one lane of alternating one way traffic remaining open.

- Monday, October 28 – Friday, November 1: Meadow Road

- Tuesday, October 29 - Friday, November 1: Wilson Avenue

- Wednesday, October 30 – Friday, November 1: East Barber Street

- Monday, November 4 – Friday, November 8: Island Road

- Tuesday, November 5 – Friday, November 8: Central Street

- Wednesday, November 6 – Friday, November 8: Pierson Lane

- Monday, November 11 – Thursday, November 14: Macktown Road

- Tuesday, November 12 – Thursday, November 14: Hayden Station Road

Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Every effort will be made to limit traffic disruptions.   

Future updates on the status and location of cable installation activities will be provided on the NHHS Rail Program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS Rail Program website.

Progress Update:  Cable installation activity began in October 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2014. To date, more than 40% of the construction work has been completed.

Contact:  Amtrak, Peter Finch, finchp@amtrak.com

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker and Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman recently announced the completion of a cost sharing agreement to fund Amtrak’s New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Line, as required by Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). 

PRIIA Section 209 calls for states to share the costs of Amtrak routes of less than 750 miles. The agreement signals the start of a new partnership between Connecticut and Amtrak, with the shared goal of improving all aspects of train service for NHHS riders.

“With this agreement, we are working with Amtrak to ensure that train riders continue to have reliable, efficient, and affordable train service on this critical rail corridor,” said Commissioner Redeker. “This agreement represents a significant state investment in rail service, which thousands of travelers and businesses rely on each day.  I thank Amtrak and the states of Massachusetts and Vermont for their commitment to this effort.”

Read the complete CTDOT October 21, 2013 press release

The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) will hold a press conference on Thursday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 1B of the Legislative Office Building, Hartford to release a new study on economic opportunities likely to be spurred by the over $1.5 billion in bus rapid transit and rail investments underway in the Knowledge Corridor.

The study, Making it Happen: Opportunities and Strategies for Transit-Oriented Development in the Knowledge Corridor, was commissioned by the CRCOG on behalf of the Sustainable Knowledge Corridor Consortium, and was funded by a US Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant.

Read the CRCOG’s complete September 19, 2013 press release

For more information visit the CRCOG’s website at www.crcog.org.

Governor Dannel Malloy recently applauded the release of a $10 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to the State of Connecticut for the purpose of constructing a second platform at New Haven’s State Street Station, which will minimize delays and accommodate an increase in service under the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. 

Read Governor Malloy’s September 3, 2013 press release

Read the Yale Daily News complete story

A recent article published by the Hartford Courant reports that ridership on Amtrak's Springfield to New Haven shuttles reached an all-time high in March, and is growing at nearly 5 percent so far for the year.  Shuttle service ridership between Springfield and New Haven, which feeds the Northeast Corridor's main line as well as Metro-North's Connecticut commuter service, was up for the first nine months from  320,629 to 329,055 riders.  According to Amtrak, the passenger count on the Northeast Corridor route, which passes through Connecticut, is also up for the year and reached a new peak in July. In addition, while some routes lagged, the total year-over-year ridership for their nationwide network in July grew 4.8 percent to more than 2.9 million passengers, the most passengers it has ever carried in a single month.

Read the complete story in the Hartford Courant

On June 5^th, the Partnership for Strong Communities and the Capitol Region Council of Governments sponsored an event on transit oriented development to help communities understand the market potential of TOD. A video of the event and the speakers’ presentations, as well as handouts and related materials are posted online:  http://pschousing.org/news/tod-crog-forum.

Plans for the new $22.25 million train station presented by the Connecticut Department of Transportation on Thursday, June 20^th received a positive response from Berlin residents, business owners and town officials.“The goal is to significantly enhance rail service along the [New Haven to Springfield] corridor,” said John Bernick, CTDOT Project Manager. The proposed new Berlin Railroad Station will be part of the high-speed line connecting New Haven, Connecticut to Springfield, Massachusetts.

CTDOT’s plan shows the construction of the station adjacent to the existing historic station on Depot Road. The project proposes building a state-of-the-art passenger railroad station, which includes two covered high level platforms, 500 feet in length to allow for level boarding. It also includes the construction of a pedestrian overpass and elevator tower to assure safe access for pedestrians to cross the tracks.

Read the complete article in the New Britain Herald  

On June 7^th at the Moynihan Station in New York City, the United States House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on the importance of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) to rail service in the Northeast. The NEC is the most heavily traveled rail corridor in the country. In his testimony at the hearing, Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman spoke about the challenges facing the NEC today and the importance of investment in the NEC to meet the region’s future rail transportation needs. Regional Plan Association President and CEO Robert Yaro highlighted the importance of the NEC to the region’s economy.

Testimony of Joseph Boardman, president and CEO, Amtrak.

Testimony of Robert Yaro, president and CEO, Regional Plan Association.

Amtrak Press Release (Limited Federal Investment Limits Northeast Corridor, June 7, 2013).

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Summary of Subject Matter.

On June 8^th, Congressman John B. Larson and Congressman Bill Shuster, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, hosted a Transportation and Infrastructure Forum. Held at the Riverfront Boathouse in Hartford, CT the forum focused on pending legislation before Congress and the importance of keeping Connecticut at the forefront of the national discussion on transportation and infrastructure issues. Public officials in attendance included members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation and CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. View the Forum flyer.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker is the new chair of the Northeast Corridor Commission, which was created by Congress to lead the development and implementation of a visionary, long-term, regional investment strategy for the Northeast Corridor. “In recognition of the vital importance of the Northeast Corridor to the national and regional economy, this Commission is committed to action that will lead to the long-term success of the corridor and the nation as a whole,” said Redeker, whose two-year term began June 1. “I personally am committed to the Commission’s goal of identifying and recommending strategic and targeted infrastructure investments to support the system’s continued growth and its role as a catalyst for the regional economy.”

The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is the rail backbone of the Northeast region and the busiest passenger rail corridor in the United Sates. It connects eight states and the District of Columbia and each day serves 750,000 riders and 2,200 commuter, intercity, and freight trains.

Read the June 5, 2013 CTDOT Press Release.

CTDOT will present an update on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program and on the design for the Berlin Station on Thursday, June 20th. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of Berlin Town Hall, located at 240 Kensington Road.

The Spring 2013 edition of the NHHS Rail Program newsletter is now available on the program website (see link below). 

Read recent program news including:

• Cable Installation
• Station Planning
• On-board Ridership Survey

View the newsletter.

CTDOT officials presented plans for a new Meriden train station at a public meeting at the Meriden Public Library. John Bernick, CTDOT’s Project Manager for the New Haven- Hartford-Springfield High Speed Rail Program, updated the group of nearly 40 residents and public officials about the Program and what to expect in the near future.

“We are looking at modernizing the stations. It’s an ambitious plan,” Bernick said. “Meriden is one of our centerpieces for the project.”

Read the complete story in the Record Journal.

On June 4^th, CTDOT Project Manager John Bernick and Ralph Trepal of CDM presented on the NHHS Rail Program at the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Rail Conference in Philadelphia. Their presentation included an update on the NHHS Rail Program’s status, infrastructure capacity analysis, project phasing, and funding.

View John Bernick's Presentation

View APTA’s website

For the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield High Speed Rail Program, safety is of critical importance according to John Bernick, Project Manager for Connecticut Department of Transportation. Advanced safety features including a state-of-the-art signal system are currently being designed among others. Read the complete story in the Record Journal.

On May 28th, CTDOT presented an update on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program and the design for the Wallingford Station at the Wallingford Town Council Meeting. The site plan for the station was prepared by Baker Architects and presented at the meeting.

CTDOT will present an update on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program and design for the Meriden Station on Monday, June 10^th. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Griffen Room of the Meriden Public Library located at 105 Miller Street.

CTDOT will present an update on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program and design for the Wallingford Station at the Wallingford Town Council Meeting on May 28^th. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert Early Auditorium at Wallingford Town Hall.

Cable installation on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program continues as Amtrak crews were in downtown Meriden installing buried fiber optic and copper cables to support new communication and signal systems. According to the CTDOT, the new systems will mainly benefit the trains’ engineers, letting them know the tracks are clear and at what speed they can travel. The new train control system will also have a failsafe feature. Read the complete story.

Amtrak continues the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. This work is required to upgrade signal and communication systems for the NHHS rail corridor and prepare for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.

During May, work is scheduled in Hamden, North Haven, Wallingford and Meriden.  There will be occasional traffic interruptions at the grade crossings in these towns as the cable installation is progressed.  Every effort will be made to limit these disruptions, which should last no longer than fifteen minutes.

Future updates on the status and location of cable installation activities will be provided on the NHHS Rail Program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS Rail Program website.

Progress Update:  Cable installation activity began in October 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2014. To date, more than 20% of the construction work has been completed, including cable installation in certain sections of the railroad right-of-way between North Haven and Hartford. In addition, the installation of communication and signal equipment has begun.  

Contact:  Amtrak, Peter Finch, finchp@amtrak.com

Saturday, May 11^th is National Train Day, a nationwide celebration of trains. National Train Day is marked by special events in communities across the country. Major events are planned in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Plan to attend a special event near you. A local event will be held at:

Union Station - New Haven, CT (NHV)

New Haven, CT
50 Union Avenue, New Haven CT 06519
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

 All events are free and family-friendly.

For more details on National Train Day and this year’s events: http://www.nationaltrainday.com/s/

April 16 – In his keynote speech at the 2013 Eastern Region Rail Crossing Conference, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo highlighted the NHHS Rail program as part of the Obama Administration’s vision for improving rail transportation in the Northeast. The New England Railroad Club event also included an overview of the NHHS Rail Program and an update on the program’s status by CTDOT’s Project Manager John Bernick.

Read Administrator Szabo’s speech.

View John Bernick’s presentation. 

On January 14^th, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth. The plan includes $362.4 million in funding to expand passenger rail service between Boston and Springfield via the inland route and support for a future high-speed rail connection to New York City via Springfield, which are identified as funding priorities.

Read more: The Way Forward: A 21^st Century Transportation Plan http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/0/docs/infoCenter/docs_materials/TheWayForward_Jan13.pdf

Amtrak continues the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. This work is required to upgrade signal and communication systems for the NHHS rail corridor and prepare for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.

Throughout the weeks of December 24^th and 31^st, excluding holiday observances on December 24^th, 25^th and 31^st as well as January 1, 2013, the following schedule of installation work at grade crossings will occur. Please note that this schedule is approximate and subject to change: 

December 20^th /21^st – Schedule Update

• Wallingford: Toelles Road - Cable Installation

Week of December 24^th

• West Hartford: New Britain Avenue - Cable Installation - Possible lane closures Wednesday – Saturday

Week of December 31st

• Wallingford: Ward Road, Quinnipiac Street, Hall Avenue, Parker Street, North Plains Highway cable installation

There will be occasional traffic interruptions at these grade crossings as the cable installation is progressed.  Every effort will be made to limit these disruptions, which should last no longer than fifteen minutes.

Future updates on the status and location of cable installation activities will be provided on the NHHS program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS program website.

Amtrak continues the installation of underground signal and communication cables, the first portion of construction for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. This work is required to upgrade signal and communication systems for the NHHS rail corridor and prepare for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2.

For the week of December 17^th the following schedule of installation work at grade crossings will occur. Please note that this schedule is approximate and subject to change: 

• North Haven to Wallingford: Cable installation. No traffic impacts at grade crossings anticipated.

Future updates on the status and location of cable installation activities will be provided on the NHHS program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS program website.

A fact sheet on the communication cable installation is now available on the program website. View the fact sheet.

At a transportation forum held on Monday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy addressed the challenges associated with meeting Connecticut’s transportation needs in light of the upcoming funding dilemma. Gov. Malloy stressed that part of the solution is drawing revenue from successful Transit-Oriented Development, build around new transit stations. The proposed New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line will create opportunities for Transit-Oriented Development near commuter rail stations along the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield corridor. Read the full article in the Hartford Courant.

CTDOT has begun the installation of underground communication cables, the first phase of construction for the NHHS Rail Program. The cable installation is part of the work required to upgrade signals and communications for the new NHHS rail service. Installing the cables in advance clears the path for subsequent track and infrastructure improvements to re-establish Track 2. CTDOT will post updates on the status and location of the cable installation activity on the NHHS program website at www.nhhsrail.com and by email. To receive email updates, please register on the NHHS program website.

          Plow Mobilization               Pre-Rip Through Busway         Pre-Rip Through Busway

    Pre-Rip Through Busway              Construction Layout              Silt Fence Installation

Beginning the week of October 8th, CTDOT, in partnership with Amtrak, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation, will conduct an on-board ridership survey. The survey will collect information on current ridership patterns and will help decision makers plan for future service. If you're on board, please participate in the survey!

Read more about the October 1^st FRA Grant Award to advance the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program: 

View the article in the Hartford Courant.

View the article in the New Haven Independent.

View the article in the Springfield Republican.

The Fall 2012 edition of the NHHS Rail Program newsletter is now available on the program website (see link below). 

Read recent program news including:

• Public Hearings on the EA/EIE in June
• Approval of the EA/EIE and the receipt of the FONSI in August
• FRA Grant Award on October 1^st

View the newsletter.

On Monday, October 1st, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the Federal Railroad Administration announced the release of $120.9 million in FRA funding to Connecticut to advance the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program. The release of the federal funding is a major project milestone and will enable CTDOT to move forward with new track, signal, bridge and station improvements between New Haven and Hartford. View the CTDOT News Release. View the FRA News Release. View the project display boards.

The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program reached a significant milestone earlier this month when the Connecticut Department of Transportation received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). FRA approval of the EA/EIE is a precondition to the release of $121 million in federal funding for the Program which is needed begin detailed design work on new and upgraded stations between New Haven and Hartford.  Read the full article in the New Haven Register.

On August 15^th, the Connecticut Department of Transportation received a signed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Programmatic Agreement from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the New Haven – Hartford – Springfield Rail Program. The FRA approval of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) is a precondition to FRA’s obligation of the $121 million in Federal funding awarded to the NHHS Rail Program.

FRA approval will enable the NHHS Rail Program to proceed with detailed engineering and service planning and the preparation of project specific environmental reviews, as appropriate. As described in the FONSI, the FRA finds that the EA/EIE satisfies the FRA’s requirements for environmental review and determines that the program will have no foreseeable significant impact on the quality of the human or natural environment. The Programmatic Agreement among the FRA, FTA, Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office and CTDOT, describes the phased process for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for identifying historic properties, determining adverse effects on historic properties, and consultation measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate such effects if needed. The FONSI and Programmatic Agreement are posted on the website.

The renovation of Springfield's Union Station will begin this fall and is slated for completion in 2014. The new Union Station Transportation Center will be a vital connection point to improved passenger rail service from the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program. Read the full article in the Springfield Republican.

Posted July 23 - Nearly $21 million in federal funding has been formally approved for Springfield Union Station and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Approximately $17 million will be used for the renovation of the historic landmark station into a regional intermodal transportation center. Read the complete story.

Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz has appointed a new passenger rail advisory committee to be involved in planning related to the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail project. The Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail project will reroute the Amtrak Vermonter through Northampton, providing travel time savings and improved passenger rail service linking New Haven, CT and points south with Vermont. Read the full article in the Springfield Republican.

Posted June 20^th -  Improved train service from the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program will bring opportunities for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) along the rail corridor in the next few years. The benefits of TOD include the creation of more livable communities where people have non-auto transportation options to where they live, work, go to school, and play. Successfully implementing TOD will require coordination among the NHHS corridor cities, towns and the State. State officials have already begun to discuss the planning needed to support the creation of TOD along the NHHS corridor. Read the full article in the Hartford Courant.

The Comment Period for the NHHS EA/EIE will end on June 22, 2012. Please see the NHHS website for information on how to submit comments.

CTDOT held the last of three public hearings on the NHHS EA/EIE in North Haven on June 14^th. At each of the public hearings, a presentation by John Bernick, CTDOT’s Project Manager, and Mark Alexander, CTDOT’s Transportation Assistant Planning Director, on the NHHS Rail Program and potential environmental impacts, was followed by formal public comments. The public comment period will be open until June 22, 2012. Read the full article in the New Haven Register.

Public hearings for the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) for the New Haven-Hartford- Springfield Rail Program (NHHS) will be held:  

• Wednesday, June 13, 2012: Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 
• Thursday, June 14, 2012: North Haven High School, 221 Elm Street, North Haven, CT

Informal discussion will begin at 6:00 PM followed by a formal presentation and public hearing at 7:00 PM.
 
Comments may be submitted verbally, or in writing, at each of the public hearings. Comments can also be submitted via the project website (http://www.nhhsrail.com/) or by mail to:
         
       Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director
       P.O. Box 317546
       Newington, CT  06131-7546

The first NHHS public hearing was held on June 7th at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.
 
The public has the opportunity to comment on the EA/EIE during the 45 day comment period that began on May 8, 2012 and will end on June 22, 2012.
 
Directions to Asnuntuck Community College:
http://www.acc.commnet.edu/about/directions.htm

Directions to North Haven High School:
http://northhavenhigh.ct.nhh.schoolinsites.com/?PageName=Directions

Posted June 11th - A video of the NHHS Rail EA/EIE Public Hearing held on June 7th in New Britain is available for viewing on CT-N. View the video.

Posted June 11^th - On Tuesday night, town councilors are expected to vote on the future location of Wallingford’s train station. Two sites being considered by CTDOT: one at the intersection of the railroad tracks and Ward Street, called Judd Square, or Plan 1; and a second near the intersection of North Cherry and Parker streets, referred to as Parker/Cerrito, or Plan 2. Read the full article in the Record Journal.

Posted June 9^th – Train noise and traffic were two of many environmental effects assessed as part of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) for the NHHS Rail Program.  Safety improvements at grade crossings would allow communities to apply for Quiet Zone designation, which would eliminate horn noise impacts at those grade crossings. Also, proposed intersection and traffic signal upgrades are designed to relieve traffic congestion. Read the full article in the Record Journal.

Posted June 8th - Informational material from the NHHS Rail Program June public hearings on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) are now available for viewing on the NHHS Rail Program website. The materials include the PowerPoint slides from the formal presentation given by John Bernick, CTDOT Project Manager for the NHHS Rail Program, and Mark Alexander, CTDOT Transportation Assistant Planning Director. Also available for viewing on the Program website are the public hearing project display boards and the EA/EIE Public Hearings handout.

 View the formal presentation.

View the project display boards.

View the EA/EIE Public Hearings handout.

Posted June 8^th – North Haven residents attended an update forum on the NHHS Rail Program to hear about what the proposed rail improvements and CTDOT’s Environmental Assessment mean for their community. A formal public hearing will be held on June 14^th at North Haven High School. Read full article in the North Haven Patch.

Posted June 7^th – Improved train service is expected to help revitalize the downtown and meet the state’s future transportation needs. The Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) states that improved train service is expected to stimulate development and redevelopment near stations. Read the full article in the Berlin Citizen.

The first public hearing for the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) will be held this Thursday, June 7th at Torp Theatre, Davidson Hall, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT.
 
Informal discussion will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by a formal presentation and public hearing at 7:00 PM.
 
Additional public hearings will also be held on:

• Wednesday, June 13, 2012: Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 
• Thursday, June 14, 2012: North Haven High School, 221 Elm Street, North Haven, CT

Comments may be submitted verbally, or in writing, at each of the public hearings. Comments can also be submitted via the project website (http://www.nhhsrail.com/) or by mail to:  Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT  06131-7546. 

 The public has the opportunity to comment on the EA/EIE during the 45 day comment period that began on May 8, 2012 and will end on June 22, 2012.

For directions to CCSU: http://www.ccsu.edu/page.cfm?p=1378. Parking available at the Welte Parking Garage.

Posted May 29^th – John Bernick, CTDOT’s Project Manager for the NHHS Rail Program was interviewed on WNPR’s Morning Edition, hosted by Ray Hardman, to talk about the publication of the Environmental Assessment for the proposed rail improvements. The Environmental Assessment provides a comprehensive environmental review of potential impacts and is a critical step in moving the project forward. In his comments, Mr. Bernick underscored the importance of restoring double tracking to increase capacity and allow higher speeds. Read more and hear the Interview.

Posted May 8^th - The Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program is now available on the program website (see link below). Copies of the EA/EIE are also available at local town halls and libraries of communities along the corridor.

The EA/EIE describes the benefits and impacts resulting from implementation of the NHHS Rail Program and identifies mitigation to address adverse impacts.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the EA/EIE during a 45 day comment period, beginning on May 8, 2012 and ending on June 22, 2012. Public hearings, planned for June, will provide a forum for public comments on the EA/EIE. Comments can also be submitted directly on the program website or by mail. CTDOT will respond to all EA/EIE comments in the final document to be submitted to the FRA by the end of June for consideration and approval by the FRA.

Submit comments on the EA/EIE.

Learn more about upcoming public hearings.

View CTDOT News Release.

We hope you will review the EA/EIE and plan to attend a public hearing.

Posted May 7^th – A Fact Sheet containing key information related to the Federal Environmental Assessment/State Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) document of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NNHS) Rail Program is available for viewing on the NHHS Rail Program website. The Fact Sheet describes the purpose of the EA/EIE document, provides information on how the public can review and comment on the EA/EIE, and provides the schedule for public hearings where CTDOT and FRA will present the detailed findings of the EA/EIE and solicit public comment.

View the EA/EIE Fact Sheet.

The spring 2012 edition of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program newsletter is now available on the program website (see link below).

This newsletter provides:

• A message from CTDOT Commissioner James Redeker,
• Key dates for the publication of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) and the Public Hearings,
• Information on how the public can review the environmental documents and comment on the EA/EIE, and
• Updates on other planning and engineering tasks.

View the newsletter.

We hope you will review the EA/EIE and plan to attend a public hearing.

Posted March 29^th - The Town of Berlin received a $382,500 municipal brownfield program grant from the State of Connecticut for site improvements to the 889 Farmington Avenue project. This is the second grant awarded to the project; the first grant of $500,000 was announced in November. The Town plans to issue a request for a developer for private redevelopment of the site, which is located near the Berlin train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail corridor, as a Transit-Oriented Development project. Read the complete article in the Record Journal.

Posted March 28^th – Connecticut’s economy outperformed the nation’s in 2011, with the state’s Real Gross Domestic Product growing by 2.65 percent compared with the national rate of 1.85 percent. The state’s outlook for 2012 is also positive, according to the Connecticut Economic Outlook (February 2012), researched by analysts at the University of Connecticut Center of Economic Analysis. The researchers note that the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail program is “extraordinarily important” to the region. Read the complete article in the Record Journal.

Posted March 19th - The UCONN Center of Economic Analysis Study identifies the NHHS Rail program as imperative to continued economic growth in the state. Connecting workers and companies and integrating transportation across the region would accelerate the state’s economic recovery. Read the full article.

Posted March 4 – This editorial urges continued open dialogue between officials and residents to support the NHHS train station in a redeveloped city center as a “win-win scenario for all of Meriden”. Read the complete article in the Record Journal.

Posted February 27^th - Improvements planned for NHHS rail service to Meriden as part of the first phases of the NHHS Rail Program are on track for 2016. The City has embraced the high speed rail program and has developed plans for a transit oriented district that would allow people to live near the train station and take full advantage of the enhanced service. Read the complete article in the Record Journal. View video.

Posted February 22^nd - The Town of Wallingford is considering reviving a 2010 plan for a 23+ acre Incentive Housing Zone in the area around the new Wallingford train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield corridor. If approved, this zone would allow increased densities for housing and retail uses and promote development of a transit-oriented and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Read the full article in the Record Journal.

Posted February 5^th – With a future increase in NHHS rail service likely to lead to more pedestrian activity in the downtown, the City of Meriden has developed a vision for  revitalizing Colony Street with a new transit oriented district and a new train station. Read full article and view video.  

To capitalize on the benefits of increased train service with the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program, the City of Meriden has developed a plan for a transit oriented development district including a new Intermodal Center in downtown Meriden. The City’s TOD website provides the design concepts, market assessment and recent presentations prepared for this project. View the website.

Posted January 20 - The “Connecticut’s Transportation Future” forum, organized by the Transit for Connecticut Coalition, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, brought together more than 100 people to hear presentations by former Department of Transportation Commissioner Emil Frankel, current DOT Commissioner James Redeker, U.S. Reps. John Larson, D-1, and Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and a panel discussion featuring five state legislators and Don Shubert of the Keep CT Moving advocacy group. Read the complete article in the New Haven Register.

Posted January 18^th – The City of Meriden is hosting a series of meetings to introduce city officials and community leaders to plans for a multi-modal transportation hub and transit oriented development that builds on the NHHS Rail improvements. Read the complete article in the Record Journal. 

Posted January 15^th – Governor Malloy describes how the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program is part of a long term solution to traffic along the I-91 corridor and how interconnections of NHHS Rail and other key projects will strengthen Connecticut’s transportation system. Read the complete article in the Hartford Courant. 

Posted January 10^th – The Metro Realty Group LTD, of Farmington, has submitted a proposal to the Town of Berlin for the adaptive reuse of the former Kensington Grammar School which is located near the Berlin train station. The project will reinforce the Town’s initiative to redevelop the area around the train station as a mixed use, transit oriented village. Read the complete article in the Record Journal. 

December 26, 2011 – While Connecticut ranks among the top states in income and quality of life, the state’s higher than average housing and utility costs as well as sparse public transportation make living here more difficult for those with low and moderate incomes. It is critical to get the New Britain-Hartford Busway and the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program running to correct this imbalance and improve the quality of life for everyone. Read the full article in the Hartford Courant.

December 26, 2011 – The City of Meriden is developing plans to restore two-way traffic in downtown to improve the traffic pattern and enhance access to businesses. The traffic improvements are part of the City’s plan to create a “transit-oriented district” around a new train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail line. Read the full article in the Record Journal.

Posted December 21 – At a ceremonial ribbon cutting yesterday, Meriden Mayor Michael Rohde marked the beginning of demolition activities at the Factory H site behind 116 Cook Avenue in Meriden.  Mayor Rohde said, “This is the start of something amazing.  This is a huge transformational project for Meriden.”  Redevelopment of the Factory H site is part of the City’s plan to develop a transit-oriented development district related to the NHHS Rail Program. Read the full article in the Record Journal.

December 8, 2011 – The City of Meriden announced plans for a kick-off event for the redevelopment of the Factory H building site, which is located near the Meriden train station and is part of the Transit-Oriented Development District. Demolition activities at the old Factory H building are scheduled for December 20, 2011. Read the Record Journal article. See the announcement on the City of Meriden’s website.

December 6, 2011 – The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives held a hearing on December 6^th to evaluate the U.S. Department of Transportation's High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members and witnesses outlined growing concerns with the Obama Administration’s high-speed rail program. Read more about the hearing.

On December 7^th, the America 2050 website posted a response stating that “The concerns that were voiced at the hearing missed the point of this critical program -- which is not only to build new high-speed rail corridors, but to expand and improve service on existing passenger rail corridors -- by focusing excessively on whether funded projects are truly 'high-speed.'" The America 2050 response also states that the high-speed rail program includes a variety of passenger rail services operating at different speeds, which meet the needs of local communities, connected at intermodal stations integrated with other transit services. Higher-speed regional trains supporting smaller regions and emerging markets, supported by local transit service, act as feeder routes for core, dedicated, high-speed rail. Read more on America 2050’s website.

December 2, 2011 - The town of Berlin has been awarded a $500,000 Regional Brownfield Development Grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for the remediation and redevelopment of 889 Farmington Avenue, which is located next to the town’s future police station and within 50 feet of the Berlin train station. The redevelopment of this property is a critical part of the town’s effort to revitalize the area near the train station. The grant will provide funds to demolish blighted buildings and undertake environmental remediation to prepare the site for future development. Read the full article in The Berlin Citizen. 

Posted on November 23, 2011 – The NHHS program remains on track despite the current debate in Washington on funding for President Obama’s rail initiative. The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail program has already received funding to launch service in 2016.  John Bernick, CTDOT Project Manager, said that the state will continue to seek future funding to complete the upgrades to Springfield. Read the full article in the Hartford Courant. Read the full article in the Record Journal.

Posted on November 21, 2011 – Governor Dannel Malloy and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff announced the approval of $275 million in federal transit funds for the construction of the New Britain-Hartford Busway project.  The project, which will connect New Britain and Hartford with stops at 11 stations, will improve access along the corridor, reduce travel times, and provide connections to the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail corridor at Hartford Union Station and Newington Junction. Construction of the Busway project is expected to begin in the spring of 2012 with service starting in 2014. Read the full press release.

Posted on November 19, 2011 – The abandoned Capitol West building on Myrtle Street in Hartford will be acquired by the City for $1.7 million. The site, now an eyesore, is located near Hartford’s Union Station, which will be the focal point of three planned transportation projects: the Hub of Hartford project, the New Britain-Hartford Busway, and the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail program. Creating and coordinating these transportation projects with proper planning at the Capitol West site is vital to the city’s future. Read the full article in the Hartford Courant.

On November 10, the City of Meriden held a public meeting to discuss the future of the city’s downtown Transit-Oriented District. Major plans proposed for the area include the possibility of two-way traffic returning to downtown, the transformation of the HUB site into a 14.4-acre park, significantly enhanced passenger rail service, and associated transit-oriented development. John Bernick, CTDOT Project Manager, briefed the audience on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program, which will bring increased train service and a new intermodal station to Meriden.  The program is on track to launch new rail service in 2016. View the presentation. Read the article in the Meriden Patch.

November 8 -  Speaking on Tuesday at the U.S. High Speed Rail Association conference in Manhattan, Congressman John Mica (R-FL), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said that the Northeast Corridor is the nation’s best chance for a viable high-speed rail success. “Any further money for high-speed rail needs to solely come to the Northeast Corridor,“ said Mica, who pledged to direct any rejected high-speed rail money to the Boston-to-Washington corridor. Reversing his earlier position on privatizing the Northeast Corridor, Mica stated: “I’m willing to have Amtrak be a full participant in this process.” Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) also spoke at the conference and said “there is widespread agreement that some sort of private capital can be brought into this, but I think – I hope – we have agreement that Amtrak has to be the main vehicle for it.” View the complete article in Transportation Nation.

CTDOT, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has revised the schedule for release of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) to allow time for additional technical and legal sufficiency reviews.  This includes development of a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Officer regarding upgrades to historic bridges and culverts, as well as work with Amtrak to minimize impacts on adjacent wetland areas.  The Draft EA/EIE, which is being prepared by CDM/Wilbur Smith, is now scheduled to be submitted for FRA and FTA review in December. Following approval by FRA and FTA, the EA is scheduled to be published in February.  Public Hearings will follow and are now planned for mid-March 2012.  The additional 3-4 months in the environmental review schedule will have no impact on the design or construction of the project. The 2016 target date for the launch of service is unchanged.

October 26 – The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Project: Opportunities for Economic Growth Conference co-sponsored by the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Regional Plan Association and America 2050 yesterday brought together 80 business leaders and local officials to discuss strategies for capturing the economic benefits of planned improvements for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Corridor. Speakers, including CTDOT Commissioner Jim Redeker, delivered the message that steps can be taken today to take full advantage of this transportation investment and that the region can leverage this improved rail service to spur economic development and generate jobs. Read the article in Hartford Courant. Watch a video of the conference on Connecticut Network.

View presentations made by: 

Kip Bergstrom, Deputy Commissioner, CT DECD
Mark Briggs , Vice President, Finance & Investment Director for Parsons Brinckerhoff
Steve Fitzroy , Economic Development Research Group, Inc.
Dan Hodge , HDR Decision Economics
David Kooris , Vice President and CT Director Regional Plan Association
Tom Maziarz , CT DOT, Bureau of Policy & Planning

October 25 - The Regional Plan Association released a new report focused on strategies for leveraging public investments in the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail improvements to achieve economic growth. The new report title, “Dependable Rail in 2016: what will it Mean for the Knowledge Corridor Region?” includes lessons from successful passenger rail corridors. View the report at: http://www.rpa.org/

On October 6th, The Citizen Mike Show included an update on the NHHS Rail Program.  John Bernick, CTDOT’s Project Manager, indicated that funding has been committed or awarded to launch the new rail service in 2016. View the show: WPAA-TV, Video On Demand

October 13th  - Governor Malloy announced the award of $5 million in funding to 11 communities around the state for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) projects. Five of the communities to receive funding are located in the NHHS Rail corridor including Hartford, New Haven, Meriden, Windsor and Windsor Locks. The funding will support planning for development around station areas on the New Haven-Hartford- Springfield Rail corridor and is aimed at fostering economic development in these communities and throughout the region.

Read Full Press Release   
Read related articles in the My Record Journal and the New Haven Independent

The Town of Windsor Locks has produced a video promoting the relocation of the Windsor Locks Amtrak Station from the south end of Main Street back to the downtown district. This video describes how moving the station will provide a catalyst for the revitalization of Main Street in Windsor Locks. View the video.

Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced on Monday the release of $30 million in federal funding for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield passenger rail corridor.  The Federal Railroad Administration announced in May that Connecticut would receive $30 million of the $2 billion in federal funding that the state of Florida had declined.

"Improving passenger rail service - and our overall transportation network - is one of the keys to improving our economy and our business climate," said Governor Malloy.  "We were aggressive in pursuing these federal funds and I thank President Obama, Secretary LaHood, and our Congressional Delegation for helping us make our vision of higher speed rail a reality.  Upon completion, this rail line will have a direct and immediate impact on congestion through the I-91 corridor, a benefit for Connecticut and all of our Northeast neighbors."   View the complete text of the Governor's press release    Read complete article in the New Haven Register

On September 1st , John Bernick was interviewed on the Citizen Mike Show about the NHHS Rail project and plans for the rail station. View a video of the interview.

As a follow-up to the August 4th public information meeting in Wallingford, John Bernick, CTDOT Project Manager for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail project met with Judd Square residents on August 22nd to discuss a proposed plan to locate the Wallingford rail station in Judd Square. View the draft plan, developed with input received in these public meetings.

A Public Information Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Windsor Locks High School Auditorium to discuss proposed plans to relocate the existing train stop from its current location to downtown Windsor Locks.  John Bernick, CTDOT Project Manager for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Project will provide an overview of the project and discuss the proposed plans to relocate the station.Get additional information

Posted on August 18, 2011 - The economic benefits of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail project are the focus of the article "Knowledge Corridor – On Track" in the current issue of Connecticut Planning. The article relays the highlights of the Regional Planning Association sponsored forum "Dependable Rail – What it will Mean for the Knowledge Corridor" that brought together experts from rail corridors in California, Pennsylvania, Maine and Massachusetts in June to share strategies for capturing the economic benefits that enhanced rail service offers.

August 4, 2011 - Mr. Bernick provided an overview of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail project and options for relocating Wallingford’s rail station. The present station location at Hall and Quinnipiac Avenues is not feasible for high level platforms needed to accommodate accessibility, as required by ADA, and facilitate passenger boarding. Sites under consideration for relocating the station include Judd Square and North Cherry Street.

In the discussion following the presentation, comments from residents, business owners and public officials addressed a wide range of topics, including questions about potential traffic delays, emergency access, and noise impacts. Support was also expressed for the project’s potential to spur economic development and provide long term benefits for the town. Mr. Bernick emphasized that a Safety and Security Plan will be prepared to plan for emergency response situations and emergency access routes. Planned improvements at grade crossings will make the town eligible to apply for "Quiet Zone" designation, which does not require horn blowing at grade crossings under FRA regulations.

Mr. Bernick explained that this was only the first in a series of meetings CTDOT intends to hold to discuss options and gather public comments before making a final decision on the station location. View the Presentation Read the article in the New Haven Register

Friday, July 01, 2011 - Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it obligated $72.8 million in High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program funds to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

The money will be used to restore a 50-mile rail line between Springfield and East Northfield, Mass., along the Connecticut River Valley. The improvements will enable Amtrak to cut travel times on its Vermonter line — which runs between St. Albans, Vt., and Washington, D.C. — by nearly 30 minutes, according to a press release.

The Massachusetts portion of the Vermonter corridor first was built in the 1800s. In the 1980s, Amtrak shifted its service to a line located farther east because of deteriorating track conditions on the original line. The original passenger route is located on Pan Am Southern Railway's Connecticut River mainline. MassDOT also plans to use the federal grant to build stations in Greenfield and Northampton.

Last year, the USDOT obligated $50 million in HSIPR program funds to the Vermont Agency of Transportation to improve 190 miles of track between St. Albans and Vernon, shaving 30 minutes off Vermonter travel times within the state. Longer term, the improvements being made in Vermont and Massachusetts will increase reliability and enable future service expansion to Montreal.

On July 8th, John Bernick, CTDOT’s Project Manager for the NHHS Rail Project, was the guest speaker at the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce “Breakfast Club Celebrates”. His presentation focused on the many opportunities for businesses near the transit stations. The rail service provides an engine for local economic growth and station area development. A primary goal of the project is to provide an interconnected transportation system that enhances livable and walkable communities. He also noted that Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project are fully funded and on track to start service in 2016. In addition, CTDOT is working directly with officials in each town to integrate station planning with community plans for redevelopment of station areas. View a video of the presentation   View a copy of the presentation.  Read the Meriden Record Journal’s article on the event

On June 2nd and 3rd, the Regional Plan Association (RPA) and America 2050 sponsored a program entitled “Dependable Rail in 2016 – What will It Mean for the Knowledge Corridor Region?” The session focused on leveraging NHHS rail investments for economic growth. Tom Maziarz, CTDOT Chief of Policy and Planning, described how the improved service will connect the corridor to expanded markets for business, labor, and higher education and provide opportunities for local development at stations. The RPA presented an analysis of population and employment centers and their distribution within the NHHS corridor. The session also explored successful strategies in other rail corridors both within the region and nationwide for promoting economic development related to rail improvements. Read more on RPA's website.

On April 13th, the CTDOT kicked off a series of meetings with public officials in communities along the NHHS corridor to provide an overview of the NHHS project, an update on the Environmental Assessment currently underway for the project, and to discuss local issues and opportunities related to the project.   The Environmental Assessment is planned for completion this fall.  A key issue in each town is the plan for upgrading the train station, access issues, future parking and the potential for new transit-oriented development. 

Meetings have been held in or are planned for New Haven, North Haven, Hamden, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield and Springfield.

These meetings, which are part of the public outreach for the Environmental Assessment, will provide an opportunity for public officials to provide input to the environmental review and design process. Plans for information meetings, open to the public, in communities along the corridor, will be announced in the coming months and formal hearings on the environmental document are planned for the fall.  Read more »

On April 12, 2011, Dave Carol of Parsons Brinckerhoff, Program Manager for the NHHS Rail Project, gave a presentation on the NHHS rail program at a joint meeting of the New England Section and the Connecticut Chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The presentation provided an overview of the program, next steps for funding, designing and implementing the work, and opportunities for transportation engineers to become involved in the work.

On April 7, 2011, John Bernick, CTDOT’s Project Manager for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Railroad Project, gave a presentation on the project during a meeting of the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA). The CCRPA serves the communities of Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, and Southington.  The presentation provided an overview of the proposed service and highlighted the benefits of increased passenger service to communities along the corridor.

The NHHS service will greatly improve mobility within the region, providing an alternative to driving that is both safe and cost effective. We hope that you will explore this website and join us for public meetings to be scheduled in the coming months to learn more and to become involved in this exciting project. Read more »

This site has been created to facilitate public input and provide information about the process and schedule. We invite you to explore the site regarding these studies. We very much welcome your comments »