CONNECT NEC 2040 (C40) reflects a shared, long-term vision for the Northeast Corridor (NEC): a modern, resilient railroad that delivers a safe, reliable, and enjoyable travel experience.
Achieving this vision will be a complex undertaking requiring interrelated improvements to realize the corridor’s full potential. As outlined in the plan, there are more than 300 projects in various stages of development that are advancing the NEC towards this vision. In recent years, NEC agencies made unprecedented investment across all project “lifecycle” stages—including project planning, development, final design, and construction.
Shovels in the Ground: Construction Underway
Today, more than 100 projects are under construction. Once complete, these projects—such as the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project and the replacement of the 118-year-old Connecticut River Bridge—will eliminate half of the NEC’s backlog of major bridges and tunnels, reduce delays, and unlock new service destinations.
Designing an Upgraded NEC: Ongoing Planning, Development, and Design
Over 80 additional projects, such as century-old catenary replacements and station modernizations, are in the development or design stage. Investments like the Mid-Atlantic South Signal Systems Upgrade will alleviate bottlenecks and support higher train capacity and speeds, while the Sawtooth Bridges Project will enhance reliability and resiliency for hundreds of thousands of daily NEC riders in New York and New Jersey. These projects need dedicated funding before they can enter construction and are necessary to advance the full vision of the corridor.
Focusing on the Future: Concept Identified
Unfunded early-stage projects—such as continuing signal systems modernization across the entire NEC and replacing the Cos Cob Bridge over the Mianus River in Connecticut—represent the next generation of transformative investment. They are essential for meeting growing demand and achieving long-term service goals.
In all, more than 300 projects are under construction, in active development, or planned for the future. Explore CONNECT NEC 2040 for more details.
