Track reactivation from Danbury to Southeast awarded $1 million feasibility study

[P3F]

An idea to reopen an overgrown commuter rail line to Southeast, N.Y., and create a fast track to Manhattan for Danbury commuters has been awarded a $1 million study grant.

The grant, awarded Thursday by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, is the first step in a plan to reopen the old Maybrook rail line from Danbury to Metro-North’s Harlem Line in Southeast.

The idea to cut as much as an hour off Danburians’ commute to New York City was first floated in late April, after a meeting between Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi and state DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti.

The money for the feasibility study comes from an $800,000 federal grant, and a $200,000 contribution from from Putnam County.

Source: https://m.newstimes.com/local/article/Fast-track-concept-from-Danbury-to-Grand-Central-14416547.php?fbclid=IwAR1rOTdm--RL1WvNdNkXWM8mp6DbvYQcF_ZhBmg6UHcpUtFArGpUnTowKjM

[Union Tpke]

I like the idea, but think that our money should go to more important things, such as increased frequency of commuter rail service, eliminating bottlenecks (Shell Interlocking), electrifying lines, etc.

[paulrivera]

1 hour ago, Union Tpke said:

I like the idea, but think that our money should go to more important things, such as increased frequency of commuter rail service, eliminating bottlenecks (Shell Interlocking), electrifying lines, etc.

I think the Danbury branch was indeed electrified once upon a time...

[Union Tpke]

1 hour ago, paulrivera said:

I think the Danbury branch was indeed electrified once upon a time...

Indeed it was.

[Jova42R]

1 hour ago, paulrivera said:

I think the Danbury branch was indeed electrified once upon a time...

It was. It should be re-electrified (with more direct service from GCT) and extended to New Milford or Kent.

 

[Truckie]

A $1 million grant to say its going to take $10's of millions to rebuild an obsolete rail line.  It's just another pipe dream for a clueless politician. 

[RR503]

4 hours ago, Jova42R said:

It was. It should be re-electrified (with more direct service from GCT) and extended to New Milford or Kent.

Most demand on the branch is intra-corridor; a well built transfer to mainline trains served by frequent shuttles would more than suffice. 

 

[Union Tpke]

On 9/6/2019 at 10:34 PM, RR503 said:

Most demand on the branch is intra-corridor; a well built transfer to mainline trains served by frequent shuttles would more than suffice. 

 

You just to grade-separate WALK Interlocking. There are cross-platform transfers at South Norwalk.

[Union Tpke]

These are the kind of investments we need:

https://www.thelirrtoday.com/2019/09/performance-based-criteria-capital-program.html