Governor Malloy announced on Sunday that CL&P has been contracted to install new transformers in Cos Cob in hopes of improving service on the New Haven line.
The work starts Monday, Feb. 3 in Greenwich, and should double the electrical supply and prevent future power failures like the one caused by a Con Edison power outage in Mt. Vernon back in September. That outage disrupted service on Metro-North’s New Haven line, inconveniencing tens of thousands of commuters. The upgrades are part of a $10 million upgrade project.
Malloy also announced that he has a meeting scheduled on Feb. 13 with the new president of Metro-North, Joe Giulietti, and MTA chair and CEO, Thomas F. Prendergast, in order that he share his concerns about the operation of the New Haven line.
“The work at Cos Cob is being done in stages and a comprehensive contingency plan has been developed,” said Metro-North Senior Vice President for Operations John Kesich in Malloy’s release. “When completed, the new power capacity will allow for the future growth of rail service on the line.”
Since the work is being done in stages, only one transformer is being replaced at a time. While the first transformer is de-energized for replacement, the tie-in will connect the east and west substations together to provide service. The second, back-up emergency transformer will be fully active and on standby.
Metro-North’s New Haven Line is the busiest single rail line in the United States.
Last year, the New Haven Line carried a daily average of just over 106,000 riders.
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