CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: June 18, 2009

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that beginning Monday, July 13, 2009, Amtrak will begin a major railroad tie replacement project on their Northeast Corridor between New Haven and Old Saybrook affecting both Shore Line East and Amtrak intercity customers.

The first construction segment, between Guilford and Old Saybrook, will last approximately eight weeks. “We’ve worked with Amtrak to minimize any inconvenience to our Shore Line East customers,” said ConnDOT Rail Administrator Eugene Colonese. “In the long run, Connecticut commuters will benefit from the track work being done by Amtrak. However, there will some service and schedule changes affecting customers in the near term.”

Below are the specific planned service modifications due to the Amtrak tie replacement project. Shore Line East customers are urged to check the service website at www.ShoreLineEast.com for the latest information. These changes will begin on July 13, 2009.  New timetables will be available to the public by Friday, June 19th.

EASTBOUND SERVICE (from New Haven)

Afternoon and Evening

                       

• Substitute bus service will be provided for the 1:00 PM train to Old Saybrook.  (Buses depart from New Haven - Union Station at 1:00 PM and make all stops to Old Saybrook.) 
• Substitute bus service will be provided for the Shore Line East train that operates on Friday only at 2:10 PM to Old Saybrook.   (Buses depart from New Haven - Union Station at 2:10 PM and make all stops to Old Saybrook.) 
• Shore Line East train departing from New Haven - Union Station at 4:27 PM will make stops at State Street Station, Branford and Guilford.  Passengers continuing on to Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook will transfer to buses at the Guilford station.
• Shore Line East train departing from New Haven - Union Station at 5:42 PM will make stops at State Street Station, Branford and Guilford, and then will wait at Guilford for approximately 15 minutes so that Amtrak trains can pass. Passengers continuing on to Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook will have the option of transferring to buses at the Guilford station or waiting on board.
• Shore Line East train departing from New Haven - Union Station at 6:38 PM will make stops at State Street Station, Branford and Guilford, and then will wait at Guilford for approximately 11 minutes so that Amtrak trains can pass.  Passengers continuing on to Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook will have the option of transferring to buses at the Guilford station or waiting on board.
• Shore Line East train departing from New Haven - Union Station at 7:02 PM will make stops at State Street Station, Branford and Guilford.  Passengers continuing on to Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook will transfer to buses at the Guilford station.

WESTBOUND SERVICE (toward New Haven)

Morning

• Shore Line East train will depart from Old Saybrook at 7:45 AM, 10 minutes earlier than the current schedule.  This train will also depart 10 minutes earlier at Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Branford, and State Street Station.

Evening

• Substitute bus service will be provided for Shore Line East train departing Old Saybrook at 2:00 PM and stopping in Guilford at 2:13 PM.
• Substitute bus service will be provided for Shore Line East train which operates on Fridays only departing Old Saybrook at 3:05 PM and Guilford at 3:18 PM.

For more information, visit www.ShoreLineEast.com or call 1-800-ALL RIDE (1-800-255-7433).