STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Top state and federal officials broke ground Monday on the latest phase of Metro-North improvements. This part of the project is called TIME-1. It is already underway, and the goal is to make your trip to the city go significantly faster. It is a dream for most train riders: Spending less time each day on the train. “Always want them to be faster,” said Shelton resident Brad Williams. “It’s a long commute.” “That would be really cool if we could get that through,” said Zach McTaggart of Stratford. Officials took a big step Monday in making that happen, breaking ground on a three-phase, $1.6 billion project to improve tracks, bridges and stations. “Once the three phases are complete, trains are going to be able to travel at speeds up to 90 miles per hour through here, up from today’s maximum of 70,” explained Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. It’s all part of the Track Improvement Mobility Enhancement for Connecticut (TIME for Connecticut) program. Announced five years ago, it means updating some tracks and overhead catenary wires. They will also be improving the bridges that carry those tracks, making some wider and with higher clearance along the way. Over the last four years, improvements have already impacted what used to be an 110-minute ride to New York.
Groundbreaking begins on $1.6B project to speed up Metro-North service
