Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker announced that the State Bond Commission approved $50 million in additional funding for the New-Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program during its Feb. 1, 2017 meeting.

The funding will support the design and environmental permitting for new CTrail Hartford Line stations in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Enfield as well as 7.5 mi. (12 km) of double track from Windsor to Enfield. This funding will also support the construction of approximately 4 mi. (6.4 km) of double track between Hartford and Windsor, which is currently under way.

Commissioner Redeker stated, "The funding approved by the State Bond Commission reinforces our State's continued commitment to providing new regional passenger rail service on the Hartford Line, which will become the newest component of a robust and vibrant multi-modal regional transportation system."

Scheduled to launch in 2018, the CTrail Hartford Line will offer more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity and regional trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield. The majority of the existing rail stations will be replaced and several new stations will be built. The expanded service and new stations are expected to increase ridership, improve the high speed and passenger rail system serving the northeast, expand intermodal transportation options, encourage economic development and create more livable and sustainable communities.

For more information, visit www.nhhsrail.com.