View photos of the officials conducting the tour
Watch video B-roll footage of the tour
MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi joined Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett T. Eucalitto today to inspect the extensive storm damage on the Waterbury Branch. Following torrential rains throughout the metropolitan area late Sunday night, reaching “1,000-year levels” in some areas of Connecticut, Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch experienced severe flooding midway between Seymour and Ansonia and near Beacon Falls, forcing train service to be replaced by buses along the entire route.
Metro-North crews continue to restore slopes and ballast washed away by floodwaters and are hauling heavy rock to refill and stabilize areas around the tracks so operations can continue safely. It is estimated that approximately 1,300 cubic yards of heavy rock and 3,200 cubic yards of fill material will be needed to repair the damage along 60 meters of track.
“Sunday’s storm caused significant damage along the Waterbury Branch. Two major areas of the branch experienced severe washouts, which will require tons of gravel to restore,” said Catherine Rinaldi, president of Metro-North Railroad. “We currently anticipate that restoration may take several weeks, and we are working closely with CT DOT to complete repairs and provide replacement bus service in the meantime to get customers to their destinations.”
On Sunday, August 18, service on the Danbury Branch and Waterbury Branch was suspended at approximately 8:15 p.m. due to flooding. Metro-North Railroad resumed service on the Danbury Branch at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19. However, the Waterbury Branch remains suspended, with replacement buses serving all stops along the route.
