Travelers adjust plans as Winter Storm Benjamin threatens Connecticut transportation

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WFSB) – Travelers scrambled to adjust their plans Friday as Winter Storm Benjamin threatened to disrupt transportation across Connecticut, with Amtrak already canceling Sunday trains and airlines expected to follow suit.

At Bradley International Airport, some passengers were getting out ahead of the storm while others prepared for delays and cancellations.

Brian Mulaney of Middletown was heading to Australia, where he’ll experience 80-degree weather while Connecticut deals with up to a foot of snow.

“I’m happy to get away from it, that’s for sure. I don’t enjoy shoveling, so if I can be on a beach instead, that’d be awesome,” Mulaney said. “Going scuba diving, surfing, on the beach, being in 80-degree weather.”

Nick Tomasiewcz, a sophomore at Fordham University, took a different approach. He traveled by train to West Hartford to be home during the storm and planned to delay his Monday return until Wednesday.

“I think I’d rather be home during a big snowstorm. Expected to get a foot of snow. It’s a big deal,” Tomasiewcz said.

Not everyone was concerned about the approaching weather. Paul Randall of Lyndonville, Vermont, planned to drive to Vermont Friday but acknowledged the reality of New England winters.

“What are you going to do? It’s New England. No snakes, no alligators, you gotta put up with the snow,” Randall said.

Brian Spyros of the Connecticut Airport Authority said Bradley International Airport was preparing for the storm’s impact on operations. The airport must clear 13 million square feet of surface area during storms, including runways, taxiways and ramp areas.

“It’s a large undertaking out on the airfield. Between the runway, the taxiway, and the ramp area, it’s 13 million square feet of surface area that we have to clean during the storm,” Spyros said.

The Connecticut Airport Authority emphasized that airlines, not Bradley, make decisions about flight cancellations. No flights had been canceled as of Friday evening, but officials expected schedule adjustments as the storm approaches.

Amtrak has already canceled trains in Connecticut for Sunday. Both Amtrak and Metro-North send notifications to passengers about canceled trains, while airlines typically email customers about flight changes.

Officials urged travelers to check flight and train status regularly as conditions develop. Airlines and rail services were expected to make additional schedule adjustments throughout the weekend as Winter Storm Benjamin approaches the region.

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