The project involves final design and construction activities to improve approximately 13 miles of rail and upgrade multiple bridges resulting in increased freight rail capacity and operational safety

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded Housatonic Railroad Co Inc. a $7.675 million Project Grant on May 1, 2025, under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program (CFDA 20.325) to fund final design and construction activities improving approximately 13 miles of rail in Connecticut. The project deliverables include replacement of approximately 17,000 railroad ties, repair and replacement of bridge decks on four railroad bridges, renewal of approximately 13,800 tons of ballast, replacement of switch timbers, rehabilitation and replacement of switches, and rail surfacing and reconfiguration. Work is scheduled for completion by April 30, 2028, and will service existing and new business operations at Oak Ridge Waste and Recycling in Danbury, which is identified as a funding partner.

The project is designed to increase freight rail capacity and operational safety while maintaining Housatonic Railroad's connections with Pan Am Southern, CSX Transportation, and Metro-North. Upon completion, the infrastructure improvements are anticipated to result in improved Federal Railroad Administration track classification and an increase in yearly carload capacity to approximately 2,600 annual carloads, up from the current 1,821 carloads. These enhancements align with the CRISI program's objectives to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability of freight and intercity passenger rail systems.

Also, the project will help hrrc maintain its connection with pan am southern CSX transportation and metro-north. The project includes replacing approximately 17,000 ties repairing and replacing bridge decks on four railroad bridges renewing approximately 13,800 tons of ballast and replacing switch timbers, rehabilitating and replacing switches and replacing and surfacing a section of rail. Track will be reconfigured to service existing and new business at OAK ridge waste and recycling in danbury. OAK ridge waste and recycling is a funding partner. Hrrc anticipates that work funded by this award will result several areas of improved FRA track classification and an increase in yearly carload capacity to approximately 2,600 annual carloads, up from 1,821.