Hartford Line

File:Hartford Line test train at Hartford station, June 2018.JPG

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) provides commuter train service on the line under its new CTrail branding; these trains are currently operated by TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts Inc., operating as a joint venture, under a 5-year, $45 million contract. Amtrak also operates intercity rail trains on this corridor; Amtrak fares along the corridor are equal to their CTrail equivalents, and passengers can use CTrail tickets to ride Amtrak Hartford Line trains.{{Cite tweet |number=981246795723476992 |user=NHHSRail |title=1 of 2: CTDOT has received confirmation that Amtrak will accept Hartford Line tickets onboard all Amtrak trains between New Haven and Springfield upon service launch, with the exception of the Vermonter. Tickets sold by Amtrak will be at Amtrak fare rates. |author=New Haven – Hartford – Springfield Rail Program |date=April 3, 2018 |access-date=April 11, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/NHHSRail/posts/1691024310975166 |title=CTrail Hartford Line Rail Service Scheduled to Launch June 16th! |website=Facebook |quote=At the Meriden Ribbon Cutting Event, it was announced that Amtrak would be lowering one-way fares to match Hartford Line fares. |date=April 24, 2018}} (The only Amtrak train on the corridor that does not participate is the once-daily {{lnl|Amtrak|Vermonter}}).{{Cite news |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Connecticut-DOT-gears-up-for-Hartford-Line-testing--54827 |title=Connecticut DOT gears up for Hartford Line testing |website=Progressive Railroading |date=June 6, 2018 |access-date=June 6, 2018}}

Tickets from New Haven to Hartford are $8 and from New Haven to Springfield $12.75, both roughly half as much as what Amtrak's fares were before Hartford Line service began in June 2018. Discounts for bulk purchases of tickets and commuter passes are also offered.{{Cite web |url=http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-hartford-line-train-fares-20171023-story.html |title=$8 To New Haven: DOT Announces Proposed Fares For Hartford Line |date=October 23, 2017 |publisher=Hartford Courant |access-date=April 6, 2018}} CTrail tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines (TVMs) at all stations. Alternatively for Amtrak operated trains, local tickets at the same price as CTrail can be purchased from Amtrak’s ticket windows at New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield or online. Passengers boarding an Amtrak Hartford Line train at Windsor must pre-purchase an Amtrak ticket before boarding over the phone or online on a smart phone or mobile device to avoid an onboard surcharge.{{Cite tweet |number=981247531383435264 |user=NHHSRail |title=2 of 2: Tickets at Hartford Line fare rates will only be sold at TVMs at Hartford Line stations, except for Windsor and Windsor Locks, and on board CTrail Hartford Line trains. Passengers boarding at Windsor/Windsor Locks do not pay the on board surcharge. |author=New Haven – Hartford – Springfield Rail Program |date=April 3, 2018 |access-date=April 11, 2018}} The ticket machine at Windsor Locks was installed by November 2018, with Windsor installed in 2019.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=1373&Q=606526 |title=CTDOT Announces Installation of Ticket Vending Machine at the Windsor Locks Hartford Line Station |date=November 16, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2019 |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation}}

Ten round-trips on weekdays are operated under the CTrail brand, with four New Haven–Hartford round-trips, six New Haven–Springfield round-trips, and one Windsor Locks–New Haven trip. Amtrak provides an additional eight New Haven-Springfield round-trips, two of which were added to the schedule upon launch of the Hartford Line in June 2018. Amtrak’s eight round-trips include all of their local 400 series Hartford Line and Valley Flyer trains, along with their Northeast Regional through trains that terminate in Springfield. This makes for a total of eighteen round-trips between New Haven and Hartford, fourteen of which operate the full line to Springfield. On weekends and holidays, CTrail operates two New Haven–Hartford round-trips and four New Haven–Springfield round-trips; along with Amtrak's pre-existing schedule, making for a total of twelve-thirteen round-trips offered on weekends and holidays.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2024 |title=CTrail Hartford Line Schedule: Effective November 4, 2024 |url=https://hartfordline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HL-11-04-Website-Schedule-103124.pdf |access-date=November 5, 2024 |website=Hartford Line}}

On September 14, 2020, Amtrak began requiring reserved tickets for Springfield-terminating Northeast Regional trains as part of a new policy requiring reservations for all Northeast Regional trips. Fares for these trips remained the same as other Hartford Line trains.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hartfordline.com/en-us/faqs-news#notice52 |title=Hartford Line News and Notices |website=Hartford Line |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918032324/https://www.hartfordline.com/en-us/faqs-news#notice52 |url-status=dead }}

On June 18, 2018, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy announced that the line carried 21,850 riders over opening weekend, with 10,300 on Saturday, June 16, and 11,550 on Sunday.{{Cite press release |url=https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2018/06-2018/Gov-Malloy-Newly-Launched-Hartford-Line-Attracted-21850-Riders-on-its-Opening-Free-Travel-Weekend |title=Gov. Malloy: Newly Launched Hartford Line Attracted 21,850 Riders on its Opening, Free Travel Weekend |publisher=The Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy |date=June 18, 2018 |access-date=June 27, 2018}} On June 26, it was announced that 10,719 customers rode the line during the first full week of operation, June 18 to 24.{{Cite press release |url=https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2018/06-2018/Gov-Malloy-Hartford-Line-Ridership-Tops-10000-in-First-Full-Week-of-Regular-Operations |title=Gov. Malloy: Hartford Line Ridership Tops 10,000 in First Full Week of Regular Operations |publisher=The Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy |date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=June 27, 2018}} Average daily ridership has exceeded initial projections, with an estimated 2,400 daily passengers on weekdays and 1,200 on weekends. The line carried its millionth passenger during the Thanksgiving holiday in November 2019.

Connecting bus service is available to CT Transit regional buses at New Haven and Hartford stations and to Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses at Springfield. Shuttle bus service is also available between Hartford station and Bradley International Airport. Although Windsor Locks station is geographically the closest Hartford Line station to the airport, Hartford station is the official connection point for rail-bus-airport transfers due to the limited facilities and low level platform at Windsor Locks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cttransit.com/services/bradley-flyer|title=30-Kennedy Road (Bradley Flyer) | CTtransit - Connecticut DOT-owned bus service|website=www.cttransit.com}}

File:CTrail Hartford Line Ex. MBTA Coaches at New Haven.jpg coaches at New Haven]]

In December 2017, Connecticut signed an agreement to lease 16 MBB coaches from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for three years, at a cost of $4.54 million, with options to extend the lease for up to three more years. The 16 cars were operated in four-car consists in a push-pull configuration with GP40-3H locomotives transferred over from Shore Line East. The railcars required significant repair and repainting before entering service, leading the Connecticut DOT to request $2.3 million from the state legislature in April 2018.

Mafersa coaches largely replaced the MBB coaches on the line in 2022, after M8 cars replaced the Mafersa coaches on Shore Line East.{{cite news |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/connecticut-replaces-diesel-shore-line-east-trains-with-electric-multiple-unit-equipment/ |title=Connecticut replaces diesel Shore Line East trains with electric multiple-unit equipment |newspaper=Trains magazine |date=May 24, 2022 |first=Scott A. |last=Hartley}} The MBB coaches were completely withdrawn from service in early 2023. In August 2023, CTDOT approved a contract with Alstom for 60 single-level passenger cars, which will replace the Mafersa coaches in Hartford Line service (as well as Shoreliner cars on other lines) beginning in 2026.{{Cite press release |title=Alstom to supply 60 single-level coach cars to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for its statewide rail system |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2023/8/alstom-supply-60-single-level-coach-cars-connecticut-department-transportation-its-statewide-rail-system |date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=Alstom |language=en}}{{cite press release |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2023/Governor-Lamont-Announces-Purchase-of-60-New-Rail-Cars-to-Modernize-Commuter-Rail-Lines |title=Governor Lamont Announces Purchase of 60 New Rail Cars to Modernize Commuter Rail Lines |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=August 9, 2023}}

All stations are ADA-compliant.

{{main|New Haven–Springfield Line#History}}

During the mid-1980s, due to the high cost of operating the New Haven–Springfield Line and the competing newly-constructed expressways, Amtrak removed {{convert|25|mi}} of track, turning the line from a double-track line to a line with a single track with passing sidings.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/objectives/history.aspx |title=Objectives & Scope |website=New Haven–Hartford–Springfield Rail Program |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |access-date=January 26, 2017}}{{Cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=1995 |isbn=0942147022 |page=78}} Of the {{convert|62|mi}} between New Haven and Springfield, {{convert|23.3|mi}} of double track and {{convert|38.7|mi}} of single track were left.{{Cite magazine |title=Connecticut: New Travel Options for the Northeast Region |date=June 2018 |url=http://www.apta.com/resources/hottopics/highspeedrail/Documents/SPEEDLINES_June2018.Final.pdf |magazine=SPEEDLINES |publisher=High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Committee |issue=23 |page=20 |access-date=June 27, 2018}}

In 1994, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) conducted a feasibility study for a New Haven–Hartford service which envisaged three trips in the morning and three in the afternoon. It estimated that capital costs would be $4.4 million and that it would require an annual subsidy of $2.5 million. Ridership was projected at 1,000 per day. A revised and expanded proposal in 2001 contemplated service to Springfield and hourly service, with half-hourly service during peak periods. This would require $249 million in capital costs, both for rolling stock and to restore double tracking to the line. The service would require a yearly subsidy of $13 million but would carry 1,800–2,000 passengers daily.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/2001/rpt/olr/htm/2001-r-0021.htm |title=New Haven-Hartford and Waterbury-Hartford Rail Service Proposals |last=Fazzalaro, James J. |date=January 16, 2001 |website=Connecticut Department of Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927185221/http://www.cga.ct.gov/2001/rpt/olr/htm/2001-r-0021.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2014}}

Various delays initially prevented the service. One source was a lack of widespread support in the New Haven region. Although reestablishing service was briefly mentioned in the South Central Regional Council of Government's January 2001 Long Range Mobility Plan,South Central Regional Council of Governments Mobility, A Transportation Plan for the Year 2020 page 8 it was not until 2003 that the commuter service provision began to be consistently listed among key transportation priorities in the annual Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Legislative Agenda.Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Legislative Agenda booklets 1997 p. 7, 1999 p.7, 2000 pp. 9,10, 2002 p. 14, 2003 p.6, 2004 p. 6, 2006 p. 2

The New Haven–Hartford–Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Study, released in 2005 by ConnDOT, recommended half-hour peak service, with new stations at North Haven/Hamden, Newington, and Enfield. No action was taken following the study, as proposed schedules did not link well with those of the New Haven Line and ridership projections were low (particularly for northbound morning and southbound evening trips).{{Cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/documents/dpolicy/nhr/docs/Recommended_Action_1.pdf |title=Recommended Action |last=Wilbur Smith Associates |year=2005 |website=New Haven Hartford Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Study |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |access-date=November 3, 2014}}

The plan called for the improvement of existing stations and the construction of new stations along the line. To facilitate frequent and bi-directional service, the line incorporates newly installed double track totaling {{convert|27|mi}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/pdfs/winter%202018%20final%20draft.pdf |title=Winter 2018 Newsletter |date=January 17, 2018 |website=NHHS Rail Program |access-date=January 17, 2018}} as well as {{convert|2|mi}} of new passing sidings. Five new interlockings were built and new signal systems were installed, including the installation of Positive Train Control. Bridges and culverts on the line have been repaired, rehabilitated or replaced.

In January 2010, $40 million of stimulus funds were approved to double-track {{convert|10.5|mi}} of the corridor under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.{{cite web |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-rail-money-puzzle-0131.artjan30,0,5617970.story |title=After Feds Put Connecticut Rail Plan On Slow Track, State Will Seek More Funds |website=Hartford Courant |date=January 31, 2010 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |archive-date=February 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203214510/http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-rail-money-puzzle-0131.artjan30,0,5617970.story |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0554 |title=HSIPR Funding by Region |website=Federal Railroad Administration |access-date=April 2, 2018}} In July 2010, Governor Jodi Rell asked the Connecticut State Bond Commission to authorize borrowing $260 million in an effort to attract additional federal matching funds, to double-track the remainder of the corridor, construct freight sidings, and improve signaling. These upgrades, together with new rolling stock, should allow for two-way service during peak hours at speeds of up to {{convert|110|mph}}.{{cite news |url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Gov-M-Jodi-Rell-seeks-state-OK-to-borrow-260-591611.php |title=Gov. M. Jodi Rell seeks state OK to borrow $260 million to push high-speed rail |website=Stamford Advocate|date=July 27, 2010}} On August 17, 2010, Connecticut lawmakers authorized borrowing the $260 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-bond-commission-0818-20100817,0,1802785.story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120044833/http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-bond-commission-0818-20100817,0,1802785.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |title=State OKs $260 Million To Pay For Commuter Rail System |work=The Hartford Courant}}

On October 25, 2010, Governor Rell announced that Connecticut received an additional $120.9 million in funds from the federal government to fund the double tracking of the remainder of the line south of Hartford as well as station improvements in Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin and Hartford.{{cite press release |title=Governor Rell: Connecticut Wins $120 Million for New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Project |date=October 25, 2010 |publisher=Office of Governor Jodi Rell |url=http://www.ct.gov/GovernorRell/cwp/view.asp?A=3872&Q=467630 |access-date=March 23, 2018}}

File:Pedestrian bridge construction at Berlin station, December 2015.JPG

As of April 2011, Connecticut State officials had applied for $227 million from the federal government that would complete track improvements between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. ConnDOT applied for the money to the Federal Railroad Administration, part of $2.4 billion that Florida governor Rick Scott rejected because of the spending it would require from his budget.{{cite news |url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Conn-seeks-funds-for-rail-work-on-11584403.php |title=Conn. seeks funds for rail work on Hartford-to-Springfield line (document) |last=Stannard |first=Ed |date=April 6, 2011 |website=New Haven Register}} In May 2011, Connecticut was awarded $30 million for track improvements in Hartford.

On August 15, 2012, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) granted a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the line's environmental assessment, a major step towards the obligation of $121 million in federal funding for the line.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/ea/ |title=Environmental Assessment |website=NHHS Rail Program |access-date=August 21, 2012}}

In February 2017, the state approved an additional $50 million in bonded funds for the project. The money will support design of the rebuilt Windsor and Windsor Locks stations and of the new stations at {{stl|CTrail|North Haven}}, Newington, West Hartford, and {{stl|CTrail|Enfield}}. It will also complete funding for {{convert|4|mi|spell=in}} of double track being added north of Hartford, and pay for design and environmental permitting for an additional {{convert|7.5|mi}} of double track between Hartford and Enfield.{{cite press release |title=CTDOT Announces $50 Million In Additional Funding For NHHS Rail Program |date=February 20, 2017 |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |url=http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=1373&Q=590304}}{{cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-hartford-line-money-0222-20170221-story.html |title=Hartford Line From Hartford To Springfield, Mass. Gets $50 Million In Bonding |last=Stacom |first=Don |date=February 21, 2017 |work=Hartford Courant |access-date=March 21, 2017}} If further funding is found to build these additional miles, it would complete the double-tracking of the line except for downtown Hartford and the aging Warehouse Point railroad bridge.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/pdfs/ea/appendix_06.pdf |title=Appendix 6: New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program Track Chart |date=January 2012 |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation}} The station in Newington was originally going to be located at Newington Junction, but due to local opposition, it will be located at Cedar St in Newington instead, within walking distance to the Cedar St CTfastrak stop.{{Cite news|url=http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20181022/PRINTEDITION/310189933|title=Rail station, hotel, housing fill Newington's bucket list|work=Hartford Business Journal|access-date=October 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027094044/http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20181022/PRINTEDITION/310189933|url-status=dead}}

The state intends to seek FRA funds to pay for construction of the new and rebuilt stations, the replacement of the Warehouse Point bridge, and a layover yard near Springfield.{{cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/--hc-hartford-line-schedule-0220-20170219-story.html |title=Hartford Rail Line On Track Despite Connecticut Budget Crisis |last=Stacom |first=Don |date=February 18, 2017 |work=Hartford Courant |access-date=February 18, 2017}}

The budgeted funds for the Connecticut portion to date total $769.1 million, of which $204 million has come from the Federal sources ($190.9 million from the FRA, $13.9 million from the Federal Transit Administration) and the balance from the state of Connecticut.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/objectives/funding.aspx |title=Objectives & Scope: Funding |website=NHHS Rail Program |publisher=Connecticut DOT |access-date=October 17, 2017}}

File:Second platform construction at State Street station, December 2016.JPG

In 2015, major construction commenced at the four stations in {{stl|CTrail|Berlin}}, {{stl|CTrail|Meriden}}, {{stl|CTrail|Wallingford}}, and {{stl|CTrail|Hartford}}.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/pdfs/nhhs_stations_factsheet_revised%200901616.pdf |title=New Haven–Hartford–Springfield Rail Program Stations Factsheet |date=November 29, 2016 |website=NHHS Rail Program |access-date=January 26, 2017}} On August 3, 2015, Amtrak began busing its weekday morning and evening New Haven–Springfield Shuttle trains to allow double tracking work to begin.{{Cite press release |title=Amtrak Begins Substitute Bus Operation to Facilitate Construction on Hartford Line |date=July 31, 2015 |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |url=http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=1373&Q=569004 |access-date=August 3, 2015}}

In December 2015, the state announced that the cost of construction had increased by $135 million for a total of $570 million, and that service would not begin until January 2018.{{Cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-amtrak-hartford-line-1204-20151204-story.html |title=Springfield-To-New Haven Commuter Rail Cost Increases, Service Begins In 2018 |last=Stacom |first=Don |date=December 4, 2015 |work=Hartford Courant |access-date=December 4, 2015}}

In July 2016, work began at the New Haven State Street station on a new high-level platform.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/pdfs/newsletter%20final%20fall%202016.pdf |title=Fall 2016 Newsletter |date=November 29, 2016 |website=NHHS Rail Program |access-date=January 26, 2017}} In August 2016, a new {{convert|260|ft|adj=on}} high-level platform was put into service at Hartford. The platform was constructed on the existing low-level platform.

On October 11, 2016, a 17-car track-laying train began work to build the second track on the southern half of the line. The train laid track from North Haven to Meriden in October 2016, and returned for Meriden to Newington in 2017.{{Cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-wallingford-track-work-hartford-line-1012-20161011-story.html |title=17-Car Construction Train Works Its Way North, Laying Track On Hartford Line |last=Stacom |first=Don |date=October 11, 2016 |work=Hartford Courant |access-date=October 12, 2016}} In 2017, the start date was pushed to May 2018 to accommodate construction of the new double track north of Hartford.{{Cite web |url=http://nhhsrail.com/pdfs/nhhs%20rail%20program%20summer%202017%20newsletter%20final.pdf |title=Summer 2017 Newsletter |date=Summer 2017 |website=NHHS Rail Program |page=2}}{{Cite press release |url=http://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2017/07-2017/Gov-Malloy-Announces-TransitAmerica-Services-and-Alternate-Concepts-Selected-for-the-Hartford-Line |title=Gov. Malloy Announces TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts Selected as Service Provider for the Hartford Line |publisher=The Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy |access-date=July 24, 2017}}

The new Wallingford station replaced the old station on November 6, 2017.{{Cite press release |title=Gov. Malloy Announces Opening of New Train Station in Wallingford That Will Serve the Hartford Line |date=November 6, 2017 |publisher=Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy |url=http://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2017/11-2017/Gov-Malloy-Announces-Opening-of-New-Train-Station-in-Wallingford-That-Will-Serve-the-Hartford-Line}} The rebuilt Meriden station opened on November 19, 2017,{{Cite press release |title=CTrail Hartford Line Meriden Station Opens Platforms and Pedestrian Bridge |date=November 19, 2017 |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |url=http://nhhsrail.com/info_center/newsbriefs.aspx#ctrail_hartford_line_meriden_ |access-date=November 26, 2017}} though final construction continued through December 18, 2017.

The Amtrak portion of the program, including three new weekday New Haven–Springfield round trips and general alterations to the Amtrak schedule on the line took effect on June 9, 2018, with the new lower fares taking effect on the CTrail launch date on June 16. Hartford Line service commenced on June 16, 2018, with free weekend service being offered on June 16 and 17. Full service commenced on June 18.{{Cite web |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Hartford-Line-commuter-rail-to-launch-in-June--54465 |title=Hartford Line commuter rail to launch in June |date=April 18, 2018 |website=Progressive Railroading |access-date=June 1, 2018}}

The connection between a new double track section from Hartford to Windsor and an existing section from north of Windsor to south of Windsor Locks was completed on September 25, 2018, leaving less than {{convert|12|mi|spell=in}} of single track on the line.{{cite press release |url=https://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=1373&Q=605158 |title=CTDOT ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF A SECOND RAIL TRACK ON THE CTrail HARTFORD LINE BETWEEN HARTFORD AND WINDSOR |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=September 25, 2018}} The new section was not expected to allow additional service, but to increase reliability.{{Cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/business/hc-biz-hartford-line-windsor-20180611-story.html |title=Despite New Commuter Line, Rail Upgrades Lag North Of Hartford |first=Rebecca |last=Lurye |newspaper=Hartford Courant |date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=June 13, 2018}} The state was awarded up to $105 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds in November 2023 for further work including additional double tracking along {{Convert|6.2|mi|km}} of the line in Enfield, between Windsor Locks and Windsor, and between Hartford and West Hartford.{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2023 |title=FY22-23 Federal-State Partnership (NEC) Grant Program Selections |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2023-11/20231107_NEC%20Selection%20Fact%20Sheets_PDFa.pdf#page=19 |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=railroads.dot.gov |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration}} The state will contribute $42 million in matching funds.{{cite web |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2023-11/FY%2022-23%20FSP-NEC%20Program%20Selections%20-%20Project%20Summaries_PDFa_0.pdf |title=FY 2022-2023 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for the Northeast Corridor (FSP-NEC) Selections: Project Summaries |date=November 6, 2023 |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration}}{{Cite press release |date=November 6, 2023 |title=FACT SHEET: President Biden Advances Vision for World Class Passenger Rail by Delivering Billions in New Funding |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/11/06/fact-sheet-president-biden-advances-vision-for-world-class-passenger-rail-by-delivering-billions-in-new-funding/ |publisher=The White House}} The project is expected to allow for an increase in service from 35 to 44 trains each day. Work on the project is expected to take place between August 2024 and November 2027.{{Cite news |last=DiSalvo |first=Emily |date=November 7, 2023 |title=Hartford Line gets $105M in federal funding to add tracks for more trains, improve signals |work=CT Insider |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/capitalregion/article/hartford-line-rail-train-expansion-ct-18471434.php |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108151902/https://www.ctinsider.com/capitalregion/article/hartford-line-rail-train-expansion-ct-18471434.php |url-status=dead }} The state was awarded an additional $102 million federal grant in 2024.{{cite web |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2024-11/FY24%20FSP-NEC%20Selections_PDFa.pdf |title=FY 2024 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for the Northeast Corridor (FSP-NEC) Selections: Project Summaries |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration |date=November 2024 |page=1}}

Most service was replaced by buses from July 18 to September 9, 2022, during canopy roof replacement at Hartford Union Station and slope stabilization work in Windsor.{{cite press release |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2022/Hartford-Line-Service-Changes |title=Safety and Track Improvement Projects on the Hartford Line Result in Two Month Service Changes |date=June 24, 2022 |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation}}

In January 2025, ConnDOT was awarded an $11.6 million federal grant that will fund additional service including extension of some weekend trains to Windsor Locks.{{cite web |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2025-01/FY21-24%20R-E%20Grant%20Selections.pdf |title=Restoration & Enhancement (R&E) Grant Program: FY 2021-2024 Selections: Project Summaries |date=January 2025 |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration |page=1}}

• Connecticut Commuter Rail Council

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |date=2018 |title=What the Hartford Line Brings to Customers |url=http://hartfordline.com/about/ |website=Hartford Line |access-date=May 19, 2018}}

{{cite web |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Rail Car Repairs, Leasing Issues Put Hartford Line Start Date in Doubt |url=http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-news-hartford-line-rail-cars-not-ready-20180403-story.html |publisher=Hartford Courant |access-date=April 6, 2018}}

}}

• {{cite report |author=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=March 2011 |title=New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Project: Service Development Plan |url=http://www.nhhsrail.com/pdfs/service_development_plan_appendices.pdf |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation}}
• {{cite report |author=Wilburn Smith Associates |date=June 2005 |title=New Haven–Hartford–Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Study |url=http://www.crcog.org/publications/TransportationDocs/Viaduct/June2005CommuterRailFinalPlan.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202052230/http://www.crcog.org/publications/TransportationDocs/Viaduct/June2005CommuterRailFinalPlan.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation}}

{{commons category|Hartford Line}}

• {{Official website|https://www.hartfordline.com/}}
• [http://www.nhhsrail.com/ New Haven–Hartford–Springfield Rail Program]

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