A major investment in Connecticut’s rail infrastructure is getting underway right here in Stratford.

On July 27, state and local leaders gathered in Stratford to mark the beginning of construction on the first phase of the TIME For CT rail improvement program, an ambitious effort to modernize the New Haven Line and improve rail service for commuters throughout the region.

The first phase, known as TIME-1, focuses on the rail corridor between Bridgeport and Stratford.

The project includes improvements to tracks and signals, upgrades to the railroad’s power infrastructure, and replacement of the Longbrook Avenue Bridge in Stratford.

These improvements address infrastructure that is critical not only to Metro-North riders but also to Stratford’s long-term economic growth and connection to the rest of the state and region.

For the many Stratford residents who depend on rail service to commute to work, visit family, attend school, or travel throughout Connecticut and into New York, reliable transportation matters.

The larger TIME For CT initiative is a three-phase program representing approximately $1.6 billion in planned rail improvements. When completed, the broader program is intended to improve reliability, increase capacity, and reduce travel times along portions of the New Haven Line.

The work beginning in Stratford represents the first step in that much larger effort.

Mayor David Chess joined Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Department of Transportation officials, members of organized labor, and other state and local leaders to celebrate the start of construction.

Investments like these demonstrate the importance of strong partnerships among local, state, and federal government.

Transportation infrastructure may not always attract attention until something goes wrong, but maintaining and modernizing it is essential to Stratford’s economy and quality of life.

The Stratford Democratic Town Committee welcomes this significant investment in our community and looks forward to seeing the improvements take shape.

Stratford residents deserve safe, modern, and reliable transportation infrastructure, and projects like TIME-1 help move us toward that goal.