WASHINGTON — Amtrak has posted a video update showing progress made to date on its $1.3 billion Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project on the Northeast Corridor.
The new span is being built next to the existing 1907 bridge that links Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, Conn. Construction began late last year, with completion eyed by 2031.
The existing bascule bridge opens for maritime traffic several times a day in peak boating season. It carries more than 50 daily Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains, CTrail Shore Line East commuter service trains, and freight trains.
The aging bridge’s failure to open and close consistently can result in cascading delays to both rail and maritime traffic. In addition to improving reliability, the new trunnion bascule bridge will permit higher speeds. Trains will be able to cross the new span at 70 mph, up from 45 mph on the current bridge.
The new bridge will include modern track, signal, catenary, power, communication, and other supporting rail infrastructure. Maritime navigation and safety will also improve due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge compared to the existing bridge.
Amtrak noted that components of the bridge are being manufactured at several locations across the East: the bascule truss span and heel girder are being fabricated in South Gibsonton, Fla.; trunnion towers in Russellville, Ala.; and approach span steel in Williamsport, Pa.
Saw the cranes from the I-95 a few weeks ago while doing some rail fanning at Rocky Neck State Park and West Kingston RI
Benjamin — You are a man of impeccable taste. New Haven Railroad lives on. I don’t get back east very often but each trip I try to do a little railfanning on ex-NYNH&H lines.
Nice…but they should have dug a tunnel. Boats rarely hit tunnels.