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Health & Fitness

New Haven - Hartford - Springfield Train Meeting

Update on the New Haven to Springfield Rail Line

Get on Board that was the resounding message from constituents who came out to our meeting Thursday night.

More than a dozen residents attended a transit update forum at the recreation center on Linsley Street in North Haven. The 62 mile New Haven to Hartford to Springfield rail road project was the topic of discussion.

"If you are commuting now and you miss a train you wait for about an hour until the next available train comes in.  With this project you will have a train every half hour it will be more convenientfor everyone," said Rep. Yaccarino.

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The state department of transportation will be breaking ground on the more than $280 million project in the next few years with the first section of the new service in place by 2016.

Right now only 6 trains run on a single track.  Amtrak will have to add an additional track to allow for 17 trains a day.  The dual track will allow a round trip ride from New Haven to Hartford to take 45 minutes.

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By 2016 Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin and Hartford will have upgraded platforms and parking lots for expanded service. 

The North Haven site has not been funded yet and the project coordinators are seeking money from a federal grant to add North Haven to the project.

"Currently the North Haven station federal funding is not in place.  That is an issue the State Department of Transportation is wrestling with," said .    

The CTDOT is also finishing up an environmental assessment that will look at keeping noise to a minimum and make sure any endangered species are protected.  Public Works Engineer Lynn Sodowski says both the short aired owl and the black striped beetle have habitats in the area.

Several people at the meeting asked questions like: Will our taxes go up? Will there be a shuttle from the station to downtown? Does the cost include the additional train cars? Will there be enough parking? Will the parking be free?

The CTDOT will be holding a formal meeting to answer all of these questions on June 14 th at 7:00 pm at North Haven High School.

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