[JuJu83]

What are the current plans for New Haven - Hartford - Springfield high speed rail line, (nicknamed the "Knowledge Corridor Line?")

* For example, at which towns/cities will the Line stop?? (A few weeks ago I wrote to the director of the project and asked why Middletown hadn't been included... I think Middletown is a nice city with a lot of potential... I never heard back from the director.)

* When is the high speed rail line due to be constructed? Completed?

* Do you think that the rail line will benefit the region? If so, how? If not, why not?


Personally, I can foresee scenarios in which the high speed rail line will unite this region -- the "Knowledge Corridor" -- and also, quickly benefit commerce and quality of life in the three major cities.

For example, improved, rapid transit could help to (finally!) foster a "Knowledge Corridor" regional identity, (like, say, "Greater Boston" or the "NYC Metro," both of which are well-connected by trains and have distinct cultural identities.)

Could this high speed rail line help to change New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield's century's old parochialism and insularity regarding each other? What do you think?

Considering how close the cities are, geographically--for example, Springfield & Hartford's city centers are 15 miles closer to each other than the city centers of "twin cities" Dallas & Fort Worth!!! Also, they're only 12 miles further apart than the "twin cities" of Minneapolis & Saint Paul--right now, Knowledge Corridor cities barely interact with each other, commercially or in terms of regional promotion.

Compared with other parts of the country, the Springfield-Hartford-New Haven region is an economic powerhouse, with a combined GDP of approximately 135 billion! This puts it on par with regional economic bigshots like San Diego, Minneapolis-St Paul, and Denver.

Like those MSAs, the Knowledge Corridor features a critical mass of people -- 2.5 million combined. Greater Springfield = 700k. Greater Hartford=1.2 million. Greater New Haven=600k.

Once New York and Boston businesses realize that--because of the high speed rail--it's cheaper to ship and do business along the inland New England route vs. the I-95 route, the Knowledge Corridor will rejuvenate these cities to an even greater degree than they'e already been. (IMO, Springfield and New Haven are more vibrant than they've been in decades. Hartford is improving too.) After the high speed rail line -- no more: "you live in New Haven?!?" jokes.

...Or so I dream

[JayCT]

I can answer your question on Middletown. The reason the train won't stop there is that Middletown is not located on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line. That line is an existing rail line that is now used by Amtrak. It is located several miles to the west and will serve Meriden and Berlin. Jay

[JuJu83]

Thanks Jay!

Do you know whether Middletown is on another line that could possibly connect with the high speed rail? That'd be nearly as good, imo It'd just be nice to have it connected.

--Justin

[JayCT]

There is a rail line that runs through Middletown but it is kind of far removed from the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line. It goes north to Hartford and south toNew Haven. this is now mainly a freight line and there are no plans right now for passenger service. Jay

[JuJu83]

Thanks a lot for the info Jay -- I've been wondering about Middletown, frankly because I've been considering moving there.

This high speed rail is a major draw for me.

Any information you hear about it, I'd love to know.

Thanks again, -Justin

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by JayCT

There is a rail line that runs through Middletown but it is kind of far removed from the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line. It goes north to Hartford and south toNew Haven. this is now mainly a freight line and there are no plans right now for passenger service. Jay

Which line , i'm told there both reserved for Passenger service in the future. But that will depend on how much the NH-SP corridor is used. The Question for CT , is who will run these lines? CTDOT or the MNRR? Your state needs to form a commuter rail agency and break away form the MNRR. I feel CT is putting a strain on the MTA , and its affecting not just the MNRR to but NJT. My fares and other MNRR fares went up back in December i would have been a fair increase if CT riders got it aswell but you didn't and apparently NJT/MNRR and MNRR riders had to cover that.... Which is not fair.... On a completly different note , this is not a HSL by Northeastern standards its a Trunk / Intercity line.

[JuJu83]

At least anecdotally--in CT, a lot of people are really excited about this project -- the Knowledge Corridor High Speed Rail Line. (It's named like it's out of the Jetsons, isn't it?

Hopefully, that excitement translates to ridership. Obviously, it's difficult to predict.

This is the first major quality of life project that the Springfield-Hartford-New Haven region has taken in a long time (as a unified region.)

Like many placers in the US, it's difficult to get around this area without a car -- so personally, I can't wait for this train!!

I used to live in Cologne, Germany... The cities over there were spaced apart closely--like here in New England... I found it a tremendous advantage to be able to hop on a train in Cologne and be in Bonn or Duesseldorf in under an hour.

[Konig1985]

I wonder if population density in CT can really support the expenses of high speed train.

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by Konig1985

I wonder if population density in CT can really support the expenses of high speed train.

For the last time its not a HSL , its a Intercity / Regional Rail line. Yes CT or all Lower New England can , along with Lower Hudson Valley , NJ , Eastern PA , Delaware , Maryland and NoVA..... The New Haven line and the feeders get 130,000 imagine what this corridor and a few others will get....

[Beeker2211]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

For the last time its not a HSL , its a Intercity / Regional Rail line. Yes CT or all Lower New England can , along with Lower Hudson Valley , NJ , Eastern PA , Delaware , Maryland and NoVA..... The New Haven line and the feeders get 130,000 imagine what this corridor and a few others will get....

There are two plans, each interconnected with one another. One is the regional Commuter Line, the one being implemented right now. But, for the project to work (aka be funded) there has to be the groundwork for High Speed Rail that would likely connect New Haven to eventually Burlington and Montreal. This includes upgrading the existing track, resetting alignments, and replacing the track that was dug up over the decades. Hopefully it will allow for medium speeds between stops from New Haven and Springfield on local service and higher for express.

~Cheers