Press Releases
08/21/2021
CTDOT ANNOUNCES THE SUSPENSION OF MOST CT PUBLIC TRANSIT BUS, TRAIN, AND FERRY SERVICES BEGINNING AFTER THE LAST TRIPS OF TONIGHT
In anticipation of heavy rains and high winds
expected from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Henri CTDOT suspends most public
transportation services
(Newington, CT) – Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Joseph Giulietti announced the suspension of most public transportation services statewide following the last trips of the night due to the heavy rains and high winds expected from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Henri.
Connecticut is currently sensitive to rainfall which will cause numerous flooding problems where roadways will become impassable, streams and creeks will overflow their banks, and rivers can rise and crest early next week. Coastal flooding is also expected. Given the saturated ground, trees may uproot easier than normal. Scattered tree damage and power-outages are likely, with the potential to be more widespread near and just east of Storm Henri’s track.
“The safety of Connecticut residents is our top priority,” said Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, CTDOT. “We urge all travelers to avoid standing water on roads and highways where vehicles may stall. And with soaked grounds, there may be numerous downed trees. The suspension of most of our public transit services is about CTDOT working with our partners in public transportation and ensuring the safety of all, whether on public transportation or on our highways.”
All passenger rail services in Connecticut are suspended for tomorrow. Those rail lines are:
• New Haven Line
• New Canaan Line
• Danbury Line
• Waterbury Line
• Hartford Line
• Shore Line East
Bus services suspended for tomorrow include:
• All CTtransit services which operate in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, New Britain, Bristol, Meriden, Wallingford, and surrounding communities
• All CTfastrak services which provide direct service to and from Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, and Manchester
• All CTtransit express services statewide
• Local transit district and paratransit services may also be affected. Customers should check the web site of their service provider for up-to-date information.
CTDOT owns and operates two seasonal ferries across the Connecticut River, the Rocky Hill – Glastonbury Ferry and the Chester – Hadlyme Ferry. Both ferries were suspended effective Saturday, August 21 and will remain suspended until further notice due to expected river flooding.
CTDOT will evaluate Connecticut River levels for possible bridge closure dates. In the event of a bridge closure, all vehicular traffic will be detoured. There will be no bridge openings for marine traffic. Marine traffic that does not require a bridge opening will be allowed to pass through.
Updates to Connecticut public transportation services will be posted on Twitter via @CTDOTOfficial. Register on CTTravelSmart.org for immediate and customized travel alerts.
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FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: 860-594-3003
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CTDOTOfficial