An enormous “track construction machine” is being used to build the CTrail Hartford rail line, according to information released Tuesday by the Malloy administration.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker said the machine is “double-tracking” portions of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) passenger rail line, now branded as the CTrail Hartford Line. This is the first time such a machine is being used to lay a large length of track in Connecticut.
Building a second track parallel to the existing single track, which is currently used by Amtrak trains, will allow more frequent train service and more efficient train movements when the CTrail Hartford Line, begins operations in Jan. 2018, they said. CTrail Hartford will allow frequent, commuter rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield.
The 250-ton TCM is laying nearly nine miles of track between North Haven and Meriden, an effort that will take about three weeks. Benefits of using this machine over other methods of track construction are its production capability and the fact that it can lay track without disrupting train operations on adjacent tracks.
“Launch of the Hartford Line will provide an opportunity for Connecticut to join in a regional vision to a make rail a more convenient and faster option for travelers,” Redeker said.
