In a phone call on Thursday, Rep. Joe Courtney told CT Examiner that he had met with Amtrak officials for a briefing that focused on on-corridor investments and a “clean sheet” for the agency’s reboot of high-speed rail planning between New Haven and Providence. Six years ago, the Federal Railroad Administration’s preferred alternative for high-speed rail included a “Kenyon to Old Saybrook Bypass” that would have significantly impacted the towns of Old Lyme, Stonington and Charlestown, Rhode Island, but was dropped in the face of widespread public opposition. But in early November it was announced that Biden administration would be giving $4 million of the $5 million cost for completing the study to Amtrak as part of $16.4 billion of spending along the Northeast Corridor including significant spending toward replacing lift bridges across the Mianus, Housatonic and Connecticut Rivers. Courtney told CT Examiner that, given his Wednesday briefing by Amtrak, it appeared that one alternative, a direct route between Hartford and Providence, was already off the table, based on a market study of the region completed in the spring.
Amtrak Promises ‘Clean Sheet,’ But Seeks Viable Off-Corridor Route From New Haven to Providence