CTDOT Announces Rail Freight Infrastructure Program Awards

$20 million in grants being issued to support freight rail safety and reliability

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced the award of $20 million in grants through the Rail Freight Infrastructure Program, supporting projects that enhance safety, expand capacity, and strengthen the long-term reliability of Connecticut's freight rail network.

These new grant awards are also supplemented by nearly $4 million in private railroad investment, reflecting the strong public-private partnerships that are central to maintaining an efficient statewide freight system. Together, these combined investments will help reduce highway congestion, support economic growth, and improve freight mobility across Connecticut.

"Connecticut's freight rail network is moving essential supplies and goods across the region that people and businesses rely on every day," said Governor Ned Lamont. "A strong economy depends on reliable infrastructure, and that's exactly what these investments deliver. These grants reflect our strong partnership with the freight railroads and our shared commitment to safety and reliability."

"Improving the state's freight rail infrastructure is a critical component of strengthening Connecticut's economy. Investments in freight rail make the supply chain more resilient, create jobs, and establish a strong system for future commerce," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "These improvements will allow more freight to be moved safely and more quickly, while reducing highway congestion and air pollution. I look forward to the continued partnership with the freight railroads as we keep the state's and region's economy moving forward."

According to the American Association of Railroads (AAR), 2.6 million tons of freight originated in Connecticut in 2023, and another 1.6 million tons terminated in the state. Railroads in Connecticut move essential commodities including stone and aggregate, agricultural goods, municipal solid waste, construction materials, fuel products, metals, paper, heavy equipment, and intermodal containers.

The Rail Freight Infrastructure Program grants awarded include:

• Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSO): $4,463,668. Work includes structural repairs to the Connecticut River Freight Bridge, a critical link whose rehabilitation will extend the life of the structure. CSO will also replace four grade crossing surfaces in East Hartford to enhance railroad and motorist safety, replace worn turnouts and rail in its Hartford yard to improve switching operations, and replace rail in Wethersfield to support more reliable train movements.
• Housatonic Railroad Company (HRRC): $2,636,382. Work includes replacing two grade crossing surfaces in New Milford, which will enhance railroad and motorist safety, as well as replace deteriorated ties along its corridor. The tie replacement, combined with ballast and surfacing work, will enhance the overall state of good repair of the line and reduce the risk of derailments.
• Naugatuck Railroad (NAUG): $4,571,673.30. Work includes a series of improvements including the replacement of four grade crossing surfaces in Torrington and upgrades to two crossing signals, both of which will significantly improve roadway safety. NAUG will also replace older worn rail, install new ties and switch ties, and construct a new customer turnout and a new public track turnout. Additional work includes adding new car storage track and replacing bridge ties. These projects will increase operational flexibility and support the railroad's customer base.
• New England Central Railroad (NECR): $1,563,689. Work includes grade crossing improvements in Franklin and Windham, relocation of signal infrastructure, replacement of worn rail, and both bridge tie and structural bridge repairs. These investments will improve safety, support higher capacity rail movements, and extend the useful life of key assets on the line.
• Providence and Worcester Railroad (P&W): $4,911,520. Work includes the replacement of rail on the Wethersfield Secondary, enabling it to accommodate 286,000 pound freight cars, the current national industry standard. This upgrade will allow shippers to move more freight per railcar, improving efficiency and reducing transportation costs. P&W will also replace four grade crossing surfaces in Wethersfield and replace ties and switch ties with ballast and surfacing, strengthening both safety and reliability.
• Pan Am Southern (PAS): $1,853,047. Work includes rail replacement, bridge tie work, upgrades to crossing warning devices, and turnout improvements. These investments will enhance both train handling and public safety while improving the long-term performance of the corridor and complementing the railroad's planned work.

Authorization of the funding for the Rail Freight Infrastructure Program is based on Connecticut General Statute §13b-236, with the state legislature approving $20 million in grant funding for this award cycle.

For more information on freight movement in Connecticut, visit portal.ct.gov/dot/programs/freight.