WATCH: Metro-North’s President Rinaldi and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Eucalitto Tour Damage on Waterbury Branch
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
(Marc A. Hermann / MTA)
SEYMOUR, Conn. – After “1,000-year” water levels in Connecticut, Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch experienced washouts. On Aug. 22nd, Rinaldi and Eucalitto took a tour of the damage.
On August 20th, RT&S reported on the damage sustained due to ‘catastrophic rain’ on Metro-North’s Danbury and Waterbury Branches. With washouts along the stretch between Seymour and Ansonia, bus service has replaced rail while officials assess damage. Now, MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett T. Eucalitto have taken a tour of the damage on the Waterbury Branch. Below is a video released by the MTA showing the damage:
MTA says Metro-North crews continue to work to restore washed-out slopes and ballast “and transport heavy stone to refill and stabilize areas surrounding tracks for safe operation.” To address the damage along 200 feet of track, crews will need around 1,500 cubic yards of heavy stone and 3,600 cubic yards of fill materials.
MTA Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi and CTDOT Commissioner Garrett T. Eucalitto survey damage to the railroad’s Waterbury Branch near Seymour on Thursday, Aug 22, 2024 after heavy rains on Sunday caused a washout of right-of-way adjacent to the Naugatuck River. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)
Metro-North Railroad President Rinaldi said, “Sunday’s storm has caused significant damage along the Waterbury Branch, with severe washouts in two main locations on the branch that require tons of crushed stone to restore. . . We currently estimate that restoration may take a few weeks and we are working closely with CT DOT to complete repairs and provide substitute bus service in the meantime to get customers where they need to go.”
