Hartford Business Journal: Redeker to Lead State's Launch of New Hartford Rail Line
Developers are jumping onboard a new rail line expanding service between New Haven and Springfield in May, which is an early measure of success for the new CTrail Hartford Line, according to Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker.
Transit-oriented development along the line that's occurred in places like Meriden is positive, said Redeker, point man for a department with a lot riding on the roughly $769 million rail project expected to begin rolling new trains between Mother's Day and Memorial Day.
"For me, that is the No. 1 goal of transportation — it's the economy — and if it's happening before we even open, I'll check that box already," Redeker said when asked what he'll consider successful first-year measures for the Hartford Line.
He expects more economic development will follow as people discover the high-speed train service and developers respond with housing and other projects near stations. Transit-oriented development is already occurring or planned in Wallingford, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
"This stuff, it really takes time and it takes a few successes and then the word gets out and I think it will be transformative at that point," Redeker said.
He'll also consider the line successful if it gets about 585,000 riders in 2018.
Read the complete Hartford Business Journal news article here.