NEW YORK — Amtrak announced on Friday, June 28, that had awarded a construction contract to build a new Connecticut River Bridge on the Northeast Corridor to replace the existing 116-year-old structure.
A joint venture of O&G/Tutor Perini received the contract award for the $1.3 billion project, which has received a $827 million Federal Railroad Administration grant through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program [see “President Biden announces $16.4 billion in funding …,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 6, 2023]. Design is 100% complete and construction is set to begin in late summer or early fall this year.
The new two-track movable bridge, crossing the river between the towns of Old Saybrook and Old Lyme in Southern Connecticut, will be built immediately south of the existing bridge, and will allow an operating speed of 70 mph instead of the current 45 mph restriction. The bridge will provide an additional 6 feet of clearance for river traffic, reducing navigation restrictions while the bridge is lowered. Completion is expected in 2031. Additional details on the project are available here.
Nothing mentioned as it if or when the old bridge wound be demolished. The prudent thing to do would to keep the old bridge for the few freight trains left and as a backup in case something happened to new bridge (like being struck by a barge or other watercraft).
Mr. Jones,
My apology for misreading your query. I was unaware that the piers were
constructed to allow for two more tracks. They were, and probably still
are, a popular spot for the local cormorants.
Seven years to complete??????????
The current bridge is double track the same as the line in the approaches.
You do not realize that when the present bridge was built that all the piers were built so a second set of 2 track could be installed on the north side of the current bridge. My question is will the new bridge also have piers built so that the bents will allow a future 2 tracks for total of 4 tracks.
IMO that would be very prudent as traffic east of New Haven has potential to a very high increase in traffic. However, do not expect Amtrak to be prudent!
What kind of movable bridge is in the design? Are the support piers boing to be built for future expansion to 4 tracks as the current bridge was built?