$6.4M Slated For Cos Cob Railroad Bridge Replacement Study

GREENWICH, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation last week announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding Connecticut approximately $291 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will be used for railroad improvements at five projects across the state, including one in Cos Cob.

According to the announcement, $6.4 million will be put toward the Cos Cob bridge replacement study. The project is for planning activities to determine the best course of action in replacing the 120-year-old, movable Cos Cob Bridge over the Mianus River in Greenwich.

"President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was overwhelmingly approved by Congress to modernize our nation’s infrastructure and strengthen our transportation system, including railways," Lamont said in a news release. "The projects these grants are funding will help pull Connecticut’s rail system into a new era and boost reliability while supporting the economic growth of our state. We thank the Biden-Harris administration for delivering this investment for Connecticut and supporting our region’s rail system."

The grants, which are being awarded to the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Amtrak, are funded through the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program.

Connecticut’s share of funding represents 20 percent of the total $1.4 billion in grants the FRA awarded last week for rail projects along the Northeast Corridor.

This NEC Federal-State Partnership investment will be matched by $120 million in state funds from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Additionally, Amtrak is contributing $11.7 million toward the projects.

"It’s a point of pride, and a particular privilege, that I ride Amtrak and Metro-North so frequently. Our state’s passenger rail system gets thousands to school and work every day and offers an expansive transportation alternative to commuting by car," said Greenwich resident and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) in a news release.

"This $290 million grant will allow the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Amtrak to upgrade our infrastructure so that public transit remains reliable, accessible, and affordable to all," Himes added. "What’s more, this project will create good-paying jobs and reduce traffic and pollution statewide. I’m thrilled the legislation we supported as a federal delegation is yielding investments here at home and I look forward to many train rides to come."

Other CT projects that will benefit from the grant include:

• $172 million for Track Improvement and Mobility Enhancement: The project is for construction activities supporting the installation of 88 catenary structures, addition of four new crossovers, and replacement of the Longbrook Avenue Roadway bridge along a three-mile segment of New Haven Line Main Line, which passes through Bridgeport, Stratford, and Milford.
• $102 million for Hartford Line Rail Program Double Track Project: The project is for the construction of track improvements along 6.7 miles of existing track in West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. The improvements will establish a double track along this corridor to provide more frequent passenger service to Hartford and Springfield. Other improvements include track upgrades and installation, signal upgrades, and gate and road crossing upgrades.
• $8 million for the Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project: This funding will be used for a planning-level study for the replacement of the 117-year-old Connecticut River Bridge on the Amtrak-owned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield corridor in Windsor Locks.
• $2.56 million for Hartford Station Relocation Project: The project is for planning construction of a new Hartford train station and multimodal hub with associated realignment and double-tracking of 2.1 miles of the Hartford Line in Hartford.