NEWINGTON, Conn. — Train service will be replaced with buses this summer on the New Canaan Branch of Metro-North’s New Haven Line for a major track project, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.
The bus substitution will begin May 30 and is expected to run through August.
The work, part of an ongoing tie replacement and track upgrade project, will eliminate a speed restriction in the Stamford area that currently limits trains to 30 mph, allowing 50 mph operation.
“We know the importance of this line and have plans to ensure passengers can reach their destination,” Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in a press release. “We worked with Metro-North to ensure this outage begins after Memorial Day and concludes prior to Labor Day, coinciding with the time commuters and their families are more likely to have summer vacations planned. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers as we enter the final phases of work activity.”
Work on the New Canaan Branch will include replacement of approximately 8,000 ties; 1,600 feet of rail, rail joints, and bridge timbers on the Noroton River Bridge; work on mud spots and drainage at several locations; new rail anchoes as needed; and surfacing of the entire 8.2-mile branch. Work on the New Haven line to address the speed restriction in Stamford will include replacement of 830 ties; 1,200 of rail and bridge timbers on three bridges; surfacing; and turnout maintenance.
The substitute bus schedule will be available at the Metro-North website.
