HARTFORD—Gov. M. Jodi Rell today announced that $26 million for design, environmental documentation and construction of double-tracking along portions of the rail line connecting New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, Mass. will be on the agenda when the state Bond Commission meets Jan. 8.

      The work is needed to upgrade sections of the existing 62-mile line, which is owned and operated by Amtrak and currently carries both Amtrak passenger trains and freight trains.

The improvements will impact both Meriden and Wallingford's downtown areas.

Added double-tracking will enable a New Haven-Hartford-Springfield, or "NHHS" route, to carry more traffic more efficiently. Operators would not be forced to schedule trains headed in opposite directions to run at different times or weave in and out of passing sidings.

      This project was originally on the agenda for the October 2009 Bond Commission meeting but was withdrawn for further study at the request of a Democratic legislator.

      "This is a crucial step forward for one of the most important transportation improvements we have made in decades," Rell said. "Along with the new M-8 passenger cars coming to Metro-North's New Haven Line and the highway upgrades we have made across Connecticut, this project will truly transform public transit in our state."