Amtrak has awarded O&G Industries and Tutor Perini Corporation a contract to construct a new bridge over the Connecticut River. According to a press release from Tutor Perini Corporation, the $1.3 billion Connecticut Bridge Replacement Project broke ground on September 5, 2024, with “substantial completion” expected by 2031.
The existing structure, built in 1907 and spanning 1500 feet, often malfunctions when opening and closing for river traffic, leading to costly waits for the over 50 trains that use it daily.
The project receives most of its funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) through a $826.6 million federal grant awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration. Amtrak and the state of Connecticut will share the remainder of the costs.
The new moveable bridge is being built just south of the existing structure. It will feature “modern track, signal, catenary, power, communication and other supporting rail infrastructure.” The bridge will also allow a 55% increase in maximum operating speed: 70 mph versus the current maximum of 45 mph.
The Connecticut Bridge Replacement Project is part of a larger $16 billion initiative to revitalize Amtrak’s infrastructure in the Northeast Corridor. On September 5th, the CEO of Amtrak, Stephen Gardner, broke ground on new bridge construction. Several government officials joined Gardner in celebrating the start of the project, including Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.
At the ground-breaking ceremony, Gardner said, “Amtrak is thrilled to join our partners to break ground on the new Connecticut River Bridge, a project decades in the making. When completed, this modern bridge will improve the customer experience by eliminating delays, providing faster journeys, and modernizing another critical infrastructure asset in Connecticut that benefits the entire Northeast Corridor.”
In an earlier press release, Senator Chris Murphy said the bridge would provide benefits in several key areas: “Investing in the future of rail in Connecticut is a no-brainer – it makes life easier for travelers and commuters, boosts economic growth, creates good-paying jobs, and helps fight the climate crisis. Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this $1.3 billion investment to replace the aging Connecticut River Bridge will keep our railways safe, cut travel times, and improve Amtrak’s rail service for Connecticut riders.”
