Hartford rail link due $26M for redesign

Connecticut is earmarking $26 million for the design of double-tracking portions of the rail line connecting New Haven, Hartford and Springfield - the next step in developing a new commuter rail service linking the cities.

Funding approval is expected when the state Bond Commission meets Oct 30, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said.

The design is necessary to upgrade sections of Amtrak's existing 62-mile line, which carries both Amtrak passenger trains and freight trains.

Added double-tracking will enable a New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS line) to carry more traffic more efficiently. Operators would not be forced to schedule trains headed in opposite directions to run at different times or weave in and out of passing sidings.

"This is a ‘crown jewel' project - a long-time goal that we are taking another step toward making a reality," Rell said in a statement. "Like the new rail cars that are coming to Metro-North's New Haven Line and the improvements we have made - and continue to make - across the rest of Connecticut's transportation infrastructure, the NHHS line is major leap forward for mass transit in our state.

Rell announced this week the first batch of 300 rail cars for the Metro-North commuter rail line are en route from Japan to Connecticut.