CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: June 6, 2018

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

AMTRAK runs test trains of up to 110 mph in preparation for the launch of the hartford line on june 16

As the final preparations for the launch of the Hartford Line are underway, the Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced that Amtrak has successfully completed testing trains at speeds up to 110 mph along portions of the Hartford Line corridor, which extends from New Haven to Springfield. When it launches on June 16, 2018 the Hartford Line will be first new rail service in Connecticut in 20 years.

The higher speeds have been made possible by track improvements that occurred during the initial phases of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program -- the name given to the capital improvement work which made the startup of the Hartford Line service possible. The initial phases of the NHHS Rail Program included the construction of a second mainline track on sections of the route between New Haven and Hartford, which will support the increase in daily train service, and safety improvements to street-level rail crossings.

Both Amtrak and CTrail trains will serve the Hartford Line. Amtrak trains operating on the Hartford Line will be able to reach speeds of up to 110 mph on portions of track located in Berlin, Newington, New Britain, and West Hartford, and speeds up to 100 mph between Meriden and Berlin. Upon launch, CTrail trains serving the Hartford Line will travel at speeds of up to 80 mph. Future phases of the NHHS Rail Program are planned to include the installation of a second mainline track between sections of the route between Hartford and Springfield, as well as the purchase of new CTrail rolling stock—trains— capable of reaching speeds of up to 110 mph.

The Hartford Line service will increase the number of weekday trains serving the corridor from 12 to 34 and reduce travel time between Springfield and New Haven to as short as 81 minutes. Travelers in New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Springfield will board trains every 45 minutes during the morning and evening peak hours and approximately 90 minutes during off-peak periods.

An inaugural ceremony for the launch of the Hartford Line will take place on Friday, June 15, one day before the public launch of the service. Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 will feature free train travel along the Hartford Line.