MetroNorth Plans for Major Schedule Changes as Walk Bridge Project Advances

As construction moves ahead on the approximately $1 billion Walk Bridge project, Connecticut officials are giving riders a heads up on major schedule changes. On multiple weekends, starting on September 12, there will be massive service reductions between Stamford and New Haven. 

Officials said that this will allow the removal of “critical” infrastructure along the Walk Bridge. Riders should “plan for significant weekend service adjustments as construction continues” on the project. 

“The Walk Bridge Replacement Program continues to make progress, with work this fall marking a major milestone for a new, modern, resilient bridge along the Northeast Corridor. The Northeast Corridor is vital to Connecticut and the region, and this project delivers much needed, long-term improvements,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in a statement. 

On five weekends between September 12-13 and November 13, MetroNorth will operate on a modified weekend schedule to allow for work on the project. 

“The Walk Bridge replacement is a generational investment in the New Haven Line and the customers that rely on it,” Justin Vonashek, president of Metro-North Railroad said in a statement. “The major improvement projects on the New Haven Line will reduce travel times, increase reliability, and improve our customers’ experience. We’re proud to partner with the State of Connecticut on upgrades that will strengthen the region and support a modern, resilient railroad for the future.”

Let’s explore what this means for riders and a little more about the project itself.

What are the schedule changes for MetroNorth trains on weekends this fall? 

The first two weekends—September 12-13 and September 19-20—will see the biggest reduction in service as officials work to demolish the “legacy catenary wire infrastructure that powers the electric trains.”

The plan is to run diesel-powered trains through the work zone approximately every 90 minutes. Officials noted that diesel trains have less capacity so customers should expect crowding. There will be approximately 55% fewer seats available on these days. 

For the weekends of October 10-11 and October 17-18, work will take place on the high towers along the bridge. Officials say there will be approximately 30% fewer seats available during these weekends, but there will be electric powered trains running through the site during selected work windows. 

How can I get around on these weekends? 

While service will be particularly impacted between South Norwalk and New Haven, officials urge residents to consider driving and parking at South Norwalk or Stamford and taking the train from there in New York City. 

MetroNorth service between Grand Central and Stamford will be primarily unaffected, and service will run local between Stamford and South Norwalk. That’s why riders located beyond South Norwalk, such as in Fairfield, Bridgeport, and New Haven, are encouraged to make their way to Stamford or South Norwalk and take the train from there. 

There will also be “shuttle train service” operating between New Haven and Bridgeport on these weekends.

Amtrak service between New York and New Haven will be “extremely limited,” during these weekends as well and officials urge Amtrak riders to stay informed using the Amtrak app. 

MetroNorth officials said riders should use the MTA TrainTime app to get the latest information and schedules. 

“None of this would be possible without the strong partnerships between federal, state, and local governments and the collaboration with Metro-North and Amtrak. We thank customers for their patience as we deliver a bridge that will serve them and the entire Northeast Corridor for generations to come,” Eucalitto said in a statement. 

What is the Walk Bridge project?

The project, which initially was discussed more than a decade ago, replaces a 130-year-old railroad bridge that runs over the Norwalk River. Officials said it is a “critical link on the New Haven Line and Northeast Corridor that serves hundreds of passenger trains each day.”

In addition to replacing the main four-track bridge, the overall project includes multiple other infrastructure initiatives. These include: track and catenary upgrades along the New Haven Line, upgrades to the East Norwalk Train Station, the replacement of four local railroad bridges along the New Haven Line, and roadway and utility improvements on Fort Point Street and East Avenue in East Norwalk. 

The project is estimated to cost about $925 million, with about 80% funded by federal money and 20% by the state. In 2023, work on the main portion of the project officially kicked into high gear following the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure act. The overall project is expected to be completed around 2031.

“What this means is we're going to be able to get from Bridgeport to New York in the same time it takes right now from Stamford to New York,” Governor Ned Lamont said in 2023. “That opens up the whole ecosystem.”