Based on what I've heard, it seems like the plan for Interstate 84 in Hartford is to replace the viaduct with a depressed highway, which involves relocating the railroad tracks near Hartford's Union Station. The proposed plan involves constructing new platforms for the relocated tracks, so does that mean the existing Union Station will be decommissioned as an Amtrak station once the tracks are moved?
Future of Hartford Union Station
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Well they moved the station before, so why not move it again. Ok they just lift it up a floor, not really moved it anywhere.
That say I-84 was just rebuilt in the early 90s.
The kicker to any plan for I-84 is where and how it cross the Connecticut River. Once you determine how to deal with the river then you can work from there back East to Manchester and West to New Britain.
My thing is the whole Manchester to New Britain on I-84 is a poorly planned route. A good master plan is need. Just not sure why it has to go downtown in Hartford.
A long ago there was a beltway planned around Hartford. Somehow it became a direct route in and out of the city.
That say I-84 was just rebuilt in the early 90s.
The kicker to any plan for I-84 is where and how it cross the Connecticut River. Once you determine how to deal with the river then you can work from there back East to Manchester and West to New Britain.
My thing is the whole Manchester to New Britain on I-84 is a poorly planned route. A good master plan is need. Just not sure why it has to go downtown in Hartford.
A long ago there was a beltway planned around Hartford. Somehow it became a direct route in and out of the city.
CT River area is not being changed. The area being reconfigured is all west of Trumbull Street(Probably entirely west of High street). Not sure, nor do I believe anybody is certain as of yet, what the actual limits of construction will be.
I live right near Hartford Union Station, and I can tell you that it was the stupidest idea to put the junction of two major interstates in the middle of a city. Honestly I don't think the construction will even start for a long time. For now, I'm nice and happy with my brand new high-level platform at HFD.
west point
Engineer
Well not as dumb as three in downtown Atlanta. I-20, I-75, I-85.
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Montreal Ltd
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Three interstates also merge at what is commonly known as spaghetti junction in Louisville KY.
Seaboard92
Engineer
And Columbia with Malfunction Junction I20, I26, and I126
And you don't want to be, either, during rush hour.
nshvlcat
Service Attendant
Also Nashville-I40, I24, and I65.
west point
Engineer
Some one who know the lay of the land is it possible that Hartford US could be used but have the very long walk that is present at Sacramento ?
neroden
Engineer
OK, so what happens now is that the railroad crosses from the west side of the expressway to the east side for Hartford, and then crosses back to the west side. The plan is to put the railroad line entirely on the west side. The highway is half-elevated and half-depressed, and the plan is to have it fully depressed. With the depressed railway line on the west side of it.
When this eventually gets built, the new below-grade platform (double track, I don't know whether they're going to do island platform or side platforms) is going to be roughly a block from the existing station -- less distance than the Sacramento walk -- about 400 feet. (And an elevator or stairs down.) Furthermore, I believe the plan involves the closure of Spruce Street, so with Spruce Street closed and the highway buried, it could be a direct walk. So they might actually keep the existing station building. More likely they will build a new station building and convert the existing building to something (it may remain the bus terminal).
The project is very expensive and so it may not happen for a long time.
....edited upon reviewing updated information. So they're going to be moving everything further west than I thought. Based on current plans, it looks like it'll be about 900 ft. The Capitol View Apartment Homes will be demolished and the train tracks and platform will be right under there. The two surviving buildings on Spring Street will also be demolished and the highway will run under there (the railway will be to the west of there).
Latest info at the March 1 presentation here:
http://www.i84hartford.com/working_group-Transit_Tech_Comm_materials.html
Oh -- also it looks like they're settling on the four-track option for the station.
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-viaduct-community-meeting-20170420-story.html
The consensus seems to be to convert Union Station to some other purpose (events, probably) once the new station is open.
I'm OK with that. Four tracks, two platforms, grade separated, a couple of blocks from Union Station -- pretty good.
Oh, the project would also straighten out the tracks so the trains can run faster.
When this eventually gets built, the new below-grade platform (double track, I don't know whether they're going to do island platform or side platforms) is going to be roughly a block from the existing station -- less distance than the Sacramento walk -- about 400 feet. (And an elevator or stairs down.) Furthermore, I believe the plan involves the closure of Spruce Street, so with Spruce Street closed and the highway buried, it could be a direct walk. So they might actually keep the existing station building. More likely they will build a new station building and convert the existing building to something (it may remain the bus terminal).
The project is very expensive and so it may not happen for a long time.
....edited upon reviewing updated information. So they're going to be moving everything further west than I thought. Based on current plans, it looks like it'll be about 900 ft. The Capitol View Apartment Homes will be demolished and the train tracks and platform will be right under there. The two surviving buildings on Spring Street will also be demolished and the highway will run under there (the railway will be to the west of there).
Latest info at the March 1 presentation here:
http://www.i84hartford.com/working_group-Transit_Tech_Comm_materials.html
Oh -- also it looks like they're settling on the four-track option for the station.
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-viaduct-community-meeting-20170420-story.html
The consensus seems to be to convert Union Station to some other purpose (events, probably) once the new station is open.
I'm OK with that. Four tracks, two platforms, grade separated, a couple of blocks from Union Station -- pretty good.
Oh, the project would also straighten out the tracks so the trains can run faster.
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