Lamont Lays Out New Plan to Speed Up Danbury Rail Commute

DANBURY, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont introduced an ambitious 10-year transportation program which would accelerate travel between Danbury and New York City, according to the project plan released on Thursday.

The program, named CT2030, is a four-pronged approach to that covers improvements to the state's rails, seaports, airports and highways at an overall cost of over $21 billion.

"On the Danbury and Waterbury branch lines, new signaling systems, new cars, and new dual-power locomotives that can run on diesel and electric tracks will allow for more frequent service and for more convenient trains that provide direct service to Stamford and New York City," the governor wrote on the website that promotes the program and went live on Thursday.

Lamont reckons that his planned infrastructure improvements and additional cars and locomotives will cut commute times up to 15 minutes between New Haven and Stamford within four years. It would also allow Connecticut to work with New York State to speed its track and provide MetroNorth train direct access to Penn Station by the plan's conclusion in 2030, according to the governor.

The upgrades to the local railways will not come inexpensively, as detailed the new plan. Lamont breaks down his "New Haven Line Vision" into six pieces, and none cost less than $50 million:

• New Haven Line Rail Bridge Repair and Replacement Program: Estimated Cost: $1.958 Billion
• New Haven Line Track Speed Improvement: Estimated Cost $842 Million
• New Haven Line Signal System Replacement: Estimated Cost: $350 Million
• 132 New Rail Cars, 30 Locomotives for New Haven Line, Waterbury and Danbury Lines, Shore Line East, Hartford Line: Estimated Cost: $985 Million
• Rail Maintenance Shops and Storage Yards for Expanded Rail Fleet: Estimated Cost: $140 Million
• Waterbury Line High Level Platforms: Estimated Cost: $50 Million

"In CT2030, rail service is faster with new equipment like cars and locomotives, improved infrastructure, and better schedules to move commuters to their locations in the most efficient ways possible. New dual-power locomotives will travel over rail bridges that will be repaired or replaced with safer crossings which will lead to more reliable and faster connections. New, eco-friendly buses and modern rail cars connected with 5G service, will quickly and safely move passengers to their destinations, making it easier to get to work and to get home. New and expanded service in busy, priority regions, will improve job performance and productivity in CT2030," Lamont wrote on the project website.

The governor is urging legislators to call a special session to approve the program within the next few weeks.