New Haven-Harford-Springfield, a slight delay

[WoodyinNYC]

Connecticut Department of Transportation has awarded a ... contract to operate CTrail Hartford Line commuter services between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield for five years from the expected launch in May 2018.

This report from the Railway Gazette.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/connecticut-awards-hartford-line-operating-contract.html

Last I heard, this route was supposed to open for business something like 'early 2018'. But May 2018 is not early in the year.

Why are we not surprised?

I'm posting here in the main forum, because Amtrak operates the Vermonter, the Shuttles, and one Regional on this same route. So starting in May of next year, or eventually, the upgraded track for the commuter trains should allow faster, better Amtrak service. In turn, this should lead to more riders, more revenue, and lower operating losses in Amtrak's totals.

 

[neroden]

Apparently when they went to rebuild things, the line was in worse shape than they'd expected. It's caused delays.

 

[west point]

Main problems were bridges and culverts. Speculation but culverts may have been brick and rock ?