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91 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2018 2018 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 91 Making Connections New rail and air projects promise an economic boost and greater convenience for the region By Cara Rosner Business can't happen in Connecticut if people and goods can't make it from one place to the next, making transportation a vital piece of the puzzle. There are multiple transportation projects underway at any given time statewide but, for many, few are as exciting or long awaited as the newly expanded Hartford Line commuter rail service, connecting the New Haven-to-Springfield corridor. After years of planning and construction, the rail line is scheduled to open on June 16. "This is a brand-new railroad, constructed, really, from scratch," state Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner James Redeker said of the state-of-the-art project, which began as part of the High- Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program launched under President Barack Obama's administration. "Being able to run 12 (round-trip) trains a day from Springfield and 17 a day from Hartford is, far and away, the most expansive service level delivered under that program," Redeker explained. "This really is a dramatic implementation of service." CTRail runs the Hartford Line, which has more than doubled the six round-trips Amtrak previously offered daily in the region. The $600-million project will be well worth the investment, both in easing congestion on Connecticut roads as well as invigorating towns that house train stations, he said. "It has brought jobs through construction, but it also brings permanent economic development to the corridor," he said, noting towns along the line already are reaping the benefits through transit- oriented development around the stations. New stations have been added in Berlin, Wallingford and Meriden. There also will be a new station built in Windsor Locks, to the north of an existing station in that town. The line expansion has led to a new platform being added to New Haven's State Street Station and another at Hartford's Union Station. Other stops along the line include New Haven Union Station, Windsor, and Springfield Union Station. Future stations, where service didn't previously exist, are slated for North Haven, Newington, West Hartford and Enfield. For passengers, of course, the biggest immediate benefit will be that the Hartford Line will provide fast and convenient regional passenger rail service, allowing them to commute more easily for business, education or leisure from southern Massachusetts to southern Connecticut, and all points in between. The line, offering a combination of Amtrak and Hartford Line trains, will operate at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, with an average travel time of 81 minutes between New Haven and Springfield, according to the DOT. Passenger-focused amenities include overhead pedestrian bridges, an automatic platform snow melt system, a real-time passenger information display system, bike racks, ticket vending machines, increased parking and electric-vehicle charging stations. Parking is free through September 3, 2018, with paid parking ($2 daily/$20 monthly) thereafter. Parking will continue to be free on weekends and federal holidays. While the Hartford Line may be one of the biggest headlines,there are other transportation initiatives going on as well. DOT continues work to widen I-84 in Waterbury and will soon open three lanes in each direction of the highway. The project is a year A trackside view of the new platform at State Street Station in New Haven. TRANSPORTATION [Photo courtesy of CTDOT]