Metro-North Expected to Resume Full Service Wednesday

By Patch editor Caitlin Mazzola.

Full service is expected to resume on the Metro-North New Haven Line in time for peak morning travel Wednesday, less than a week after Friday's train derailment and collision on the Fairfield/Bridgeport line.  

Amtrak service will also resume full service Wednesday morning, Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said.   

"This is tremendously good news," Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a press briefing Monday.   

He credited the "extraordinary work of Metro-North, federal officials clearing [the tracks], and our own state DOT."   

About 100 workers have been working around-the-clock since Saturday to cleanup and repair the accident site, which measures about 2,000 feet of damaged track, according to a statement released by Metro-North.   

“We are confident that the reconstruction work, inspection and testing will be completed in time for a normal rush hour on Wednesday,” Metro-North President Howard Permut said.   

“We are grateful for the tireless work of all departments and employees engaged in this huge task.”   

Malloy warned of one more day of potentially difficult commuting, but said Monday's rush hours went smoother than anticipated.   

"I'm very appreciative of the public for listening to us," he said.   

Metro-North ridership on the affected portion of the New Haven Line was down 81 percent, Malloy said. Backup on the Merritt Parkway was less than during rush hour on a usual Monday, and congestion on I-95 up slightly, though it could have been attributed to morning fog, according to Malloy.   

The bus service put in place on Monday will continue Tuesday, according to Redeker.   

Seven victims of Friday's accident remain hospitalized, Malloy added, and one is in critical condition.   

"Our thoughts are obviously with the injured and their families, and we wish them a speedy recovery."