Things are looking good for railroads in Connecticut. The state is giving $26 million to improve parts of the rail line that connects New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, Mass., through “double-tracking” — meaning the railway has one track running in each direction.

Double-tracking will help the line “carry traffic more efficiently,” a state-issued press release said. The state is also providing MTA Metro-North Railroad New Haven line with 300 new rail cars, NBC Connecticut reported Dec. 24. Gov. M. Jodi Rell described the trains as “sleek, modern and high tech,” according to NBC Connecticut.

The trains cost $700 million in total, and the New Haven Rail Yard, where the trains will be maintained, is being overhauled to accommodate them.