NEWINGTON, Conn. — Six short line and regional railroads will receive $20 million in grants under Connecticut’s Freight Rail Infrastructure Program, the state Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday, March 11.
The grants will be supplemented by nearly $4 million in investment by the railroads.
“Investments in freight rail make the supply chain more resilient, create jobs, and establish a strong system for future commerce,” Connecticut DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in a press release. “These improvements will allow more freight to be moved safely and more quickly, while reducing highway congestion and air pollution. I look forward to the continued partnership with the freight railroads as we keep the state’s and region’s economy moving forward.”
Grants awarded included:
- Providence & Worcester Railroad, $4,911,520: Work includes the replacement of rail on the Wethersfield Secondary, upgrading it to accommodate industry-standard 286,000-pound freight cars, the current national industry standard. P&W will also replace four grade crossing surfaces in Wethersfield and replace ties and switch ties with ballast and surfacing
- Naugatuck Railroad, $4,571,673: Plans include the replacement of four grade crossing surfaces in Torrington and upgrades to two crossing signals; replacement of worn rail, installation of new ties and switch ties; construction of a new customer turnout and a new public track turnout; and adding a new car storage track and replacing bridge ties.
- Connecticut Southern Railroad, $4,463,668: Funding will help cover structural repairs to the Connecticut River Freight Bridge; replacement of four grade crossing surfaces in East Hartford; replacement of worn turnouts and rail in its Hartford yard; and rail replacement in Wethersfield.
- Housatonic Railroad Co., $2,636,382: The railroad will replace two grade crossing surfaces in New Milford, and replace deteriorated ties and perform ballast and surfacing work along its corridor.
- Pan Am Southern, $1,853,047: Planned work includes rail replacement, bridge tie work, upgrades to crossing warning devices, and turnout improvements.
- New England Central Railroad, $1,563,689: Funds will address grade crossing improvements in Franklin and Windham, relocation of signal infrastructure, replacement of worn rail, and both bridge tie and structural bridge repairs.
Connecticut railroads originated 2.6 million tons of freight in 2023 and terminated 1.6 million tons, according to the Association of American Railroads. Commodities include stone and aggregate, agricultural goods, municipal solid waste, construction materials, fuel products, metals, paper, heavy equipment, and intermodal containers.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
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