State and municipal officials, transportation advocates and railroad representatives held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Windsor Locks train station in Connecticut, which will be served by CT Rail’s Hartford Line and Amtrak.
The project will construct a new station in downtown Windsor Locks that will include a high-level platform to allow for level boarding from every train car. Connections to the Canal Trail via Bridge Street will be established as part of the project. Additionally, outside of the station construction, roadway safety and track improvement projects will be underway, which will allow for future track expansion on the Hartford Line north of Hartford.
“We continuously hear from businesses, both large and small, and residents that they want to be near public transportation that provide convenient options for travel,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said. “This new station is going to be a real driver of economic activity in Windsor Locks. In fact, when developers were looking to renovate the old Montgomery Mill down the road, they knew their investment was going to be worthwhile because of our plans to create this new train station just a short distance away. The Hartford Line has been a success story for Connecticut since it launched four years ago, and I remain committed to making further improvements to our state’s rail services. The groundbreaking on this new train station in Windsor Locks is just another step in addressing our infrastructure needs and expanding amenities on our well-used rail lines.”
The total project is estimated to cost $87.14 million, with $59.11 million approved by the State Bond Commission in 2020. Additional funds include a $17.49 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and an estimated $10.54 million contribution from Amtrak, which owns the track and rail line.
The project is expected to be completed in summer 2025 and this is the first rail station project in Connecticut to include a project labor agreement and workforce apprenticeship program.
“Upgrading the infrastructure in Windsor Locks highlights the future of this town’s train service with a new station, addition of a second track, and improved traffic and railroad signal equipment to promote better and safer movement of people and freight, enhance regional rail travel and improve rail connections in New England,” said Amtrak Assistant Vice President of Infrastructure Access and Investment Tom Moritz.
