WATCH: Connecticut River Bridge Project

Get an inside look at Amtrak's Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project, which has made significant progress since breaking ground just over a year ago. This video takes you behind the scenes with the teams and partners making it happen, all while staying on schedule and within budget.

The modern bridge replacement now under construction between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, CT, will improve reliability, boost top speeds by 55%, and deliver smoother, safer travel along the Northeast Corridor when it opens by 2031.

The existing century-old Connecticut River Bridge opens for maritime traffic several times a day in peak boating season. It was completed in 1907 and today serves more than 50 daily Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains, CTrail Shore Line East commuter service trains and freight trains. The aging bridge's failure to open and close consistently can result in cascading delays to rail and maritime traffic.

Amtrak is building a new movable bridge immediately south of the existing one, featuring modern track, signal, power, and communication systems. Once complete, this bridge will improve travel for customers with smoother rides and fewer disruptions.

This project will not only directly benefit rail travelers; it's also driving economic development in several locations across the United States, where many components are being fabricated before shipping to the project site. For example, the bascule truss span and heel girder are being fabricated in South Gibsonton, FL; trunnion towers in Russellville, AL; and approach span steel in Williamsport, PA.

This project would not be possible without the strong support of Amtrak's funding partners at the Federal Railroad Administration and Connecticut Department of Transportation, O&G Industries/Tutor Perini (construction joint venture), AECOM (construction management contractor), and many others.

Want to learn more about construction progress? Read our latest project newsletter here.