"Amtrak's new Acela Express stop in Stamford will help reduce traffic congestion, and provide faster, more efficient service to Fairfield County's rail passengers," said Shays. "High-speed rail can increase transportation capacity at a fraction of the cost of building new highways and will go a long way toward alleviating the increasing delays of air travel by shifting short- haul passengers to the rails."

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is currently making major improvements to the Stamford train station, with the support of Amtrak and Metro North. Completion of the work on the $95 million project, which will make the station more modern, is expected in the next two years.

Among the station upgrades will be the expansion of the station from two to four platforms to accommodate the expected increased Acela Express Stamford ridership, Amtrak officials related. Station upgrades will also include construction of two high-level center platforms allowing for up to four trains in the station at one time, new signage, new seating areas, better lighting and two elevators from platform level to station level.