$1.6B Project To Speed Up Train Service Starts In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday in Stratford to mark the start of construction on TIME-1, the largest component to date of TIME FOR CT, a multi-year initiative to rebuild, improve, and expand Connecticut's rail network.

The three-phase, $1.6 billion TIME-1 project will "modernize critical sections of the New Haven Line, creating the infrastructure necessary to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable rail service between New Haven and New York City," according to a news release. "The New Haven Line is the busiest individual commuter rail line in the United States."

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TIME-1 is expected to deliver one of the largest rail improvement upgrades in recent state history, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

"The New Haven Line connects thousands of people to jobs, businesses, and destinations across Connecticut and the region every day," Lamont said. "Every minute we save on a commute gives people more time with their families, more time in their communities, and more opportunities to enjoy all that Connecticut has to offer. Shaving minutes off New Haven Line commute times will have a real impact on the economic future of these towns, bringing new families and investment to communities up and down the line. TIME FOR CT is a historic investment in a faster rail system that will spur our economy and improve quality of life for generations."

Stratford Mayor David Chess said the project will help "Stratford residents and workers get to where they need to go - FASTER."

"It also means better connecting more people to local jobs and growing our local economy by continuing to make Stratford a destination for anyone interested in visiting our restaurants, businesses, arts and cultural attractions, beaches and more!" Chess wrote in a post on Facebook.

Chess also said with the upgrades, there will be an "extension of Stratford's platform, and all train doors will open in Stratford post completion."

Read more from the news release below:

Upon completion of all three phases in 2035, trains will be able to operate at speeds of up to 90 MPH in designated sections of the corridor, an increase from today's maximum of 70 MPH in the project area. Additionally, the improvements will upgrade these sections of the line to the Federal Railroad Administration's Track Class 6 standards, an increase from today's standards of Track Class 4. The project, along with other capital projects and service enhancements, will enable Connecticut rail passengers to enjoy reduced travel times between New Haven and New York, culminating in a total of approximately 25 minutes saved. Together, these investments will strengthen one of the nation's busiest rail corridors, improving reliability for Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak, freight operators, and the approximately 100,000 passengers who travel the New Haven Line each weekday.

"We are building the rail system Connecticut needs for the future—one that gets people where they are going faster, delivers more reliable service, and provides modern, accessible stations," Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. "This ambitious project is possible because of the partnership between Governor Lamont, the Federal Railroad Administration, our federal delegation, state and local partners, and the skilled crews who are turning this vision into reality through their hard work in the field."

The first phase of the TIME-1 project focuses on a three-mile section of track between Bridgeport and Stratford.

Crews are installing new catenary structures that power trains, adding turn outs to the East Bridgeport Rail Yard, replacing the Longbrook Avenue Bridge in Stratford, upgrading track and signal infrastructure, and adding new track connections to improve train operations through the corridor.

The first phase is a $340.7 million project that will support approximately 125 jobs. Funding includes $184 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, $145.5 million from the State of Connecticut, and $11.2 million from Amtrak.

The second phase, expected to begin in 2030, will deliver targeted improvements at Stratford Station, including track and platform upgrades, ADA accessibility improvements, enhanced passenger communications systems, and modernized electrical infrastructure with improved lighting and emergency power. This phase will also advance major corridor improvements, including catenary upgrades, bridge replacements, and retaining wall installations.

The third phase, expected to begin in 2031, will continue these efforts with additional bridge replacements, catenary upgrades, and infrastructure improvements to further enhance rail operations and reliability.

Combined, the second and third phases have an anticipated cost of approximately $1.3 billion. Governor Lamont, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Connecticut's Congressional delegation, will continue pursuing federal and partner funding to advance the full program.

For more information about TIME FOR CT, visit here.