Coming into the station

Any day now, Connecticut's Department of Transportation is expected to announce details of its new, expanded Shore Line East rail service to New London.

The state's commuter rail line has been a misnomer of sorts since its inception, because Shore Line East has never truly extended all the way to Connecticut's east end. Most trains end in Old Saybrook.

But this past summer Gov. M. Jodi Rell said southeastern Connecticut had been patient long enough, and the state would add two to three additional Shore Line East trains to New London every weekday morning and three additional trains each weeknight.

She wasn't specific on the exact timing, but promised the enhanced service "by the end of 2009." And in late November, a DOT spokesman said the state is "still committed" to expanding weekday commuter rail service - he said 10 additional trains - by year's end.

That is a good start, and we have no reason to doubt that Gov. Rell and the DOT will not live up to the pledges. But we also recognize the complexities involved in enhancing the rail service. While DOT will be the service provider, the trains will run on Amtrak lines. And there are concerns about the impact of additional trains on boat traffic.

Trains will be crossing movable bridges over the Connecticut and Niantic rivers and at Shaw's Cove, and each time that happens, the bridges are locked closed. The Connecticut Marine Trades Association estimates boaters berth 8,000 working and recreational vessels inland of those bridges and said each time a span is closed, mariners and marine-related businesses are affected.

This long-running dispute pits the interests of rail supporters who want bridges closed to accommodate trains against the desire of boaters who want bridges open so vessels can come and go.

When Shore Line East does expand to New London, the initial new trains will run weekdays only. But the goal is to enhance train service seven days a week, and mariners are already gearing up to oppose any new Saturday and Sunday service.

Unfortunately, the railroad tracks occupy prime real estate. But it is in the best interest of southeastern Connecticut to improve rail service. Highway congestion and energy costs make public transportation an obvious choice.

Get those trains to New London.