SLE Westerly Expansion

The age-old idea of extending SLE to Westerly has been brought back, with the state burning several million dollars on a new study.

Some considerations:
-Platforms at Westerly/Mystic need to be raised, assuming M8s are used
-Platforms at Westerly/Mystic are both on sharp curves; the New London problem again
-Where would trains lay over?

To me, I think a summer seasonal train from NYC to the SLE/Westerly could be a big hit. SLE ridership on Friday/Saturday to CT, and Sunday afternoon back was very strong this summer. 95 can be a consistent parking lot all the way from Boston to New York in the summer. But year round commuter/regional rail service from New Haven to Rhode Island? No. Even a Norwich service (which is also being studied) would be more useful than that.

Source: https://www.theday.com/local-news/20220 ... c-meeting/

The 2.3m was recently allocated.

One slightly more useful idea I saw online was a "Shoreline Express" of sorts from GCT-BOS. Stops at all the Amtrak and SLE stops, plus some MBTA (Mansfield/TF/Wickford) and MNR (Milford, Fairfield, South Norwalk, Greenwich) stops.

P.S: if there's already a thread for this zombie of an idea, feel free to make it.

I personally don't see an expansion of SLE to Westerly as necessary. However, there is potential space at Westerly for a layover facility and/or a third platform track....

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3817438 ... a=!3m1!1e3

There is a pre-existing Amtrak MOW yard and potentially could fit in another track or two. The existing "north side for westward trains" platform could have another track sharing that platform, and there is already access to the station building (no longer Amtrak-staffed) via a subway (the under-track walkway variety). The station was also recently made handicapped-accessible... I don't recall exactly what was done... maybe the tunnel now has elevators.

But what is the demand for SLE East East? How far does the NHV-region commuting extend east of New London? Would Groton get a station, and where? What kind of "last mile" connections would be available? It would be cool to have a car-free way to get to the beaches... is RI going to subsidize a bus running from Westerly to Misquamicut for CT residents? Is it worth going through all the trouble of expanding SLE for a seasonal service? Is anyone in Westerly going to New London or New Haven? Or are they primarily going to PVD?

Sure, if resources were unlimited, then yes, go for it. But SLE East East doesn't seem necessary to me. That's the one part of I-95 that isn't "that bad". Let's dual-up Madison first, and finish the Hartford Line infills and double track first. And the New Milford extension of the Danbury branch.

Any progress on finish the clearing of ROW so M-8s with shoes will clear?

Heard it was a bridge at Shore Line Jct that is the issue with the shoes. Not sure of the solution or timeline, if there is one yet.

Is the bridge in question an underpass or an overpass? Is the issue that the shoes strike the side of the bridge?

It’s an under grade bridge