A long-awaited commuter rail line linking New Haven, Hartford and Springfield in Connecticut opened over the weekend with two days of free rides for the public.
The new line will nearly triple the number of trains that run along the I-91 corridor.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy rode the new rail line from New Haven to Hartford on Friday morning, meeting up with Massachusetts officials. Both trains broke a ceremonial ribbon upon arriving in Connecticut's capital. Malloy said the service will not only ease congestion along the I-91 corridor, but also drive investment and jobs to the region.
The service will feature 17 daily trains in each direction between Hartford and New Haven and 12 round trips from Hartford to Springfield, where there is still just a single track. Eight of those round trips will be operated by the state of Connecticut, while the others will be Amtrak trains. The trains can reach speeds of 110 mph.
The $765 million project, which began with a feasibility study 14 years ago, included the construction of 21 new bridges and the laying of 21 miles of new track, allowing for a second working track between New Haven and Hartford. The project was funded mostly through state bonding, with $191 million coming from three federal grants.
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Source: Associated Press via Boston Herald
