This project will focus on the planning of the connecticut river bridge replacement project: springfield line

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) $10 million on February 1, 2026, for planning and design work on the Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project along the Springfield Line, funded under the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Grants program (CFDA 20.315).

The award funds a planning study and preliminary engineering to prepare Amtrak to advertise for final design and engineering of the replacement bridge. The planning study will examine track alignment options and other design and construction solutions to enhance operability, capacity, and resiliency of the crossing. The project will produce preliminary planning documents, an alternatives analysis report, and conceptual engineering for each alternative, along with project management documents submitted to relevant stakeholders.

Work is performed in Connecticut. The project completion date is February 29, 2028. Beneficiaries include Amtrak, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, CSX Transportation, Connecticut Southern Railroad, and passenger rail users on the corridor.

The planning study and design work will prepare amtrak to advertise for final design and engineering of a bridge to support current and future growth on this corridor. Specifically, the planning study will address track alignment options and other potential design and construction solutions which could enhance the operability, capacity, and resiliency of the crossing. Project management documents will be produced to support the requisite planning scope and will be submitted to all relevant stakeholders. The project outcome includes preliminary planning documents, an alternatives analysis report, and conceptual engineering for each alternative. The beneficiaries include amtrak, the connecticut department of transportation, the massachusetts department of transportation, CSX transportation, connecticut southern railroad, and passenger rail users.