Connecticut Bridge Work Could Mean Delays on Metro-North New Haven Line

Metro-North rail passengers could experience delays on the New Haven Line Wednesday due to emergency bridge work taking place in Stratford, officials announced.

The delays could affect rush hours until further notice because of train congestion resulting from mechanical problems with the Devon Movable Bridge.

In Westchester, Metro-North’s New Haven Line services stations in Port Chester, Rye, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Pelham and Mount Vernon East.

The Devon Movable Bridge, built in 1904, carries New Haven Line, Waterbury Branch, Amtrak and Shore Line East trains over the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford, Conn. The bridge has two drawbridge spans that open vertically to allow marine traffic to pass underneath. The southern span of the bridge, which carries Metro-North’s Tracks 2 and 4, is in the closed position and carrying train traffic at reduced speeds.

The northern span, which carries Metro-North’s Tracks 1 and 3, opened for a scheduled test opening and closing at approximately 1 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, and was unable to close and is now in the vertical position. As the span was closing it damaged the bridge abutment piers. The span remains in the open position as of Wednesday morning. Personnel from Metro-North Railroad and the Connecticut Department of Transportation are at the bridge to assess the nature of the damage and identify what repairs need to be done to firmly close and lock the span to allow train service to resume.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has issued an emergency declaration that will enable contractors and Metro-North personnel to expedite repairs to the bridge. While the work is underway, all trains will use the southern span of the bridge.

Metro-North anticipates train congestion during rush hours due to the use of only two tracks.

For the latest service updates, Metro-North customers are advised to listen carefully at stations for announcements, monitor the news media including traffic and transit reports, sign up for email or text message service alerts at www.mymtaalerts.com, and follow @MetroNorth on Twitter.