Amtrak Breaks Ground on Connecticut River Bridge
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Amtrak, federal, and state officials break ground on construction for the Connecticut River Bridge.
Courtesy of Amtrak
OLD LYME, Conn. – Amtrak has begun construction on the new Connecticut River Bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme in Connecticut.
Previously, RT&S has covered the Connecticut River Bridge from initial plans and design to the recent awarding of a construction contract. Now, Amtrak has announced it has started construction at a ground-breaking ceremony with Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, and others. The project, which totals $1.3 billion, is supported by a $826.64 million Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant that was awarded last fall.
The current bridge was completed in 1907 and opens several times daily during peak seasons. More than 50 Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains and CTrail Shore Line East commuter trains cross daily. The new bridge will be more resilient and movable with a “trunnion. Bascule span design with modern track, signal, catenary, power, communication and other supporting rail infrastructure.” A train can travel at 70 mph over the bridge, an increase from the current maximum speed of 45 mph.
“Amtrak is thrilled to join our partners to break ground on the new Connecticut River Bridge, a project decades in the making,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “When completed, this modern bridge will improve the customer experience by eliminating delays, providing faster journeys and modernizing another critical infrastructure asset in Connecticut that benefits the entire Northeast Corridor. Today’s milestone would not be possible without funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and continued support from the Biden-Harris Administration along with Connecticut’s champions of rail in Governor Lamont, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, Congressman Courtney, Commissioner Eucalitto and so many others.”
“Rebuilding the Connecticut River Bridge is a transformational investment for the future of passenger rail service in the Northeast Corridor,” said Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “With modern engineering and design, the new bridge will accommodate growing ridership demand, faster and more reliable travel times, and stimulate the local and regional economy. Thank you to the FRA for investing in Connecticut through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We look forward to working closely with our partners at Amtrak as this project moves forward.”
