Connecticut DOT gears up for Hartford Line testing

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) on June 9 will begin test runs along the soon-to-open CTrail Hartford Line commuter-rail route.

The department will perform test runs of the line's full schedule of 16 weekday trains, CTDOT officials said in a press release. Also on June 9, Amtrak's portion of Hartford Line service will begin, increasing daily Amtrak trains to 18 from 12.

When the Hartford Line officially launches June 16, CTrail and Amtrak trains will provide a total of 34 daily trips on weekdays, 12 trips on Saturdays and 13 trips on Sundays and holidays.

The 62-mile line runs from New Haven, Connecticut, to Springfield, Massachusetts.

CTDOT has been working on a rail safety public awareness campaign through Connecticut Operation Lifesaver.

The $769 million project received financial backing from three federal grants and state funds. In July 2017, CTDOT tapped Transit America Services and Alternate Concepts Inc. to operate and manage the line.

Amtrak is responsible for maintaining the railroad infrastructure.