The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced a Shore Line East (SLE) schedule change which will begin on Monday, April 23, 2012.
This SLE schedule change will accommodate construction work on the Amtrak rail bridge at River Road in Madison. This bridge construction project allows for only one track being available for train service between Guilford and Old Saybrook, requiring busing of some peak period afternoon and evening SLE trains between Guilford and Old Saybrook. The entire train schedule was developed to minimize delays to customers.
“The Department has worked closely with Amtrak staff to ensure reliable SLE service during this critical Amtrak construction project,” said Transportation Commissioner James Redeker. “The Department and Amtrak staff will closely monitor service performance during the entire construction period and make adjustments, if warranted.”
SLE weekday morning peak service to New Haven and Stamford remains virtually unchanged, with the exception of the current 7:55am train from Old Saybrook to New Haven which will now depart Old Saybrook 10 minutes earlier at 7:45am.
However, in the afternoon and evening outbound peak period, three weekday SLE trains will be bused. One will be bused between Guilford and Westbrook. Two will be bused between Guilford and Old Saybrook. The three trains are listed below.
· The 4:37pm train from New Haven-Union Station (currently the 4:27pm train from New Haven-Union-Station) will make station stops at State Street, Branford and Guilford. This train will then run express to Old Saybrook from Guilford and then on to New London. Customers for Madison, Clinton and Westbrook will connect to bus service at Guilford.
· The 5:18pm train from New Haven-Union Station (currently the 5:13pm train from New Haven-Union Station) will make station stops at State Street, Branford and Guilford. This train terminates at Guilford. Customers for Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook will connect to bus service at Guilford.
· The 7:05pm train from New Haven-Union Station (currently the 7:12pm train from New Haven-Union Station) will make station stops at State Street, Branford and Guilford. This train terminates at Guilford. Customers for Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook will connect to bus service at Guilford.
Most weekday afternoon and evening train schedules have been adjusted to accommodate the single tracking required by the project. Weekday reverse peak trains in both the morning and evening are affected with some bus service replacing train service. Weekend train schedules have also been changed. Finally, regular SLE New London customers have an additional afternoon train. New London customers using a multi-ride SLE ticket can now travel on the afternoon Amtrak regional train leaving New Haven-Union Station at 3:40pm, arriving in New London at 4:34pm. Customers should consult the new train schedules in print or on-line at www.shorelineeast.com.
“We appreciate your patience while Amtrak rebuilds this bridge which will ensure continued reliable train service for SLE and Amtrak intercity riders on this heavily-traveled segment of the Northeast Corridor,” said Commissioner Redeker.
The next SLE schedule change is planned in early July, 2012.
