DERBY, Conn. — Ned Lamont announced the start of construction on a major rail infrastructure initiative to modernize four stations along the Waterbury Branch Line, marking a significant investment in the state’s commuter rail system.
The upgrades, led by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, will transform stations in Derby-Shelton, Ansonia, Beacon Falls and Seymour. Construction is now underway and is expected to be completed by spring 2028.
“For too long, riders on the Waterbury Branch Line have been making do with aging and inaccessible infrastructure. That changes now,” Lamont said. “These investments are about more than about improved stations; they’re about giving working families in the Naugatuck Valley the same quality of service that riders elsewhere take for granted, and building the kind of connected, affordable communities that keep people here.”
The project will introduce 350-foot platforms designed for full train boarding, along with covered canopies and enclosed windscreens to enhance passenger comfort. Stations will also feature real-time arrival information systems, upgraded lighting, ticket vending machines and improved wayfinding.
Each station will be made fully accessible under ADA standards, with redesigned pedestrian access and safer passenger flow.
In Derby, the project includes restoring a historic station building to provide indoor waiting space and adding new bus bays to improve multimodal connections, creating a more integrated regional transit hub.
“Bringing the Waterbury Branch Line into the 21st century means delivering stations that are accessible, comfortable, and built for how people travel today,” said Garrett Eucalitto.
The station upgrades are part of a broader $193 million initiative to modernize all six stations along the Waterbury Branch Line between 2025 and 2028. The effort is being coordinated with additional rail improvements under the TIME FOR CT program, allowing the state to streamline construction and reduce disruptions.
To facilitate construction, rail service on the line will be temporarily replaced with bus service from July 20, 2026, through May 31, 2027. Officials said the shutdown is necessary due to the single-track configuration, which limits the ability to safely complete major work while trains are operating.
“This is a major step forward for riders and the communities along the line,” Eucalitto said. “I’m grateful to the Lamont administration, our Congressional delegation, and our partners at the Federal Transit Administration for helping make it happen.”
By coordinating station upgrades with track, bridge and signal improvements between Stratford and Bridgeport, the state expects to save more than $47 million and reduce the overall project timeline by approximately one year.
Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek said the upgrades will support growing ridership and improve the overall travel experience.
“These improvements will make it easier for people to reach jobs throughout the region, support local businesses by bringing more activity to the area, and help communities attract new development and new investment,” Vonashek said.
Federal lawmakers also voiced support for the project, highlighting its role in boosting economic development, improving accessibility and enhancing transportation reliability across Connecticut.
Originally reported by Governor Ned Lamont in Connecticut Govt.
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