Governor Rell: Bids Opened for Key Part

of New Haven Rail Yard

 Construction Expected to Start This Winter

On Maintenance Center for 300 New Rail Cars

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that construction bids for a major component of the New Haven Rail Yard have been opened and came in far below expectations. The Governor said this will allow the state to save millions of taxpayer dollars, create immediate construction jobs for a facility that will house and service the newest generation of rail cars and benefit thousands of Connecticut commuters.

The bids are for the 293,000-square-foot “change-out” shop where trains that run from New Haven to New York City on Metro-North commuter lines, will be maintained. The low bid of $124.786,100 came from O&G Industries of Torrington is less than half of project estimate of $291.5 million calculated by Hill International, a firm hired in 2008 to review rail yard project.

"This is one of the most ambitious transportation projects we’ve undertaken and it’s critical that we manage it responsibly to keep it on track and on budget,” Governor Rell said. “The immediate impact, of course, is the construction jobs created by the project, but the overall impact will greatly upgrade commuter rail service in Connecticut with state-of-the-art cars and a state-of-the-art facility to service them.”

The state has ordered 300 new rail cars, known as M-8s, scheduled for delivery in 2010. Prototypes of the M-8s are expected to be delivered for testing late this year.

The low bid is now being reviewed by DOT engineers and the contract is expected to be formally awarded in the next several weeks. DOT Commissioner Joseph F. Marie said construction will start this winter and should be completed in late 2012. He estimated that as many as 100 jobs will be created or maintained as a direct result of this project.

About the Component Change-Out shop:

·        This facility will consist of a maintenance shop with 13 car spots on three tracks with overhead cranes and floor lifts, support shops to repair and maintain the major car components, parts storage facilities, offices and training facilities, a security suite with command center and MTA police offices, DOT offices and a communications hub. 

·        This project will provide the main shop and office complex for the New Haven Rail Yard, and will provide the major maintenance functions for Connecticut’s commuter rail fleet, as well as housing administrative and security functions.

·        Site work will include utility and track connections, driveways, security fencing, catenary, and illumination.