Metro North trains get new tracks

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- There was a lot of activity on the Metro North tracks in West Haven on Thursday as a new project, featuring some pretty impressive technology, laid down new tracks.

Workers literally picked up old railroad tracks and ties and then laid down new ones near the West Haven station.

Adrian Versluis, the project supervisor, explained his company is working to replace five miles of track between New Haven and Milford.

"This machine is designed to do what they call auto face track work, which is removing all the ties and taking the rail out, putting new ties in and it will put new rails in or existing rails in place," he explained.

As complicated as that sounds, this is not new technology. These machines have been around for about thirty years.

But the work does take some time. The machine and 32 person crew covers about three-and-a-quarter miles of track per day.

"What's going on right now is they're down there at the end of the train, removing the old rail and the new rail is sliding in underneath with the new ties coming in," said train conductor John Whalen.

When this project is completed the Connecticut Department of Transportation says it will be the fourth main line track between New Haven and Milford with all new components.

The tracks will service the new West Haven train station which is scheduled to open next year.