CTDOT awards contracts to help complete station renovations, TOD project

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has awarded two contracts to two different firms for projects to improve the transit experience.   

CTDOT selects HNTB for station improvements along Waterbury Branch Line 

CTDOT has selected HNTB to provide construction, engineering and inspection (CEI) services for station improvements along the Waterbury Branch Line, a 28.5-mile segment of Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line that serves the Naugatuck River Valley. 

The project includes major facility and operational upgrades at five stations—Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, Beacon Falls and Waterbury—aimed at modernizing infrastructure, enhancing the commuter experience and improving overall system performance. 

HNTB will oversee the construction of new platforms, ramps and canopies; realignment of railroad tracks; improvements to parking and drainage systems; installation of electric vehicle charging stations; and relocation of a railroad signal hut. In addition, the firm will manage the renovation of the historic Derby Station and build a new passenger waiting room inside the Republican-American building at Waterbury Station. 

“We are excited to support our client with this opportunity to enhance rail service and infrastructure for communities along the Waterbury Branch Line,” said HNTB Connecticut Office Leader and Vice President Jake Argiro, P.E. “By bringing in top-tier talents in CEI and integrated project controls capabilities, we’re ready to support the state’s most complex infrastructure projects with innovative, efficient and cost-effective solutions.”  

HNTB Senior Resident Engineer and Project Manager David Speerli, P.E. added, “The Waterbury Branch Line upgrades have been a long-standing priority for CTDOT. As part of its commitment to modernizing the line, CTDOT has already acquired new coach cars, which will be in service upon project completion, further enhancing the quality, frequency and reliability of service for passengers. These upgrades will align Waterbury Branch stations with the standards of other Metro-North lines, supporting long-term growth and mobility in the region.”  

HNTB says the notice to proceed on the project is expected in June 2025, with project completion across all stations anticipated by fall 2027. 

CTDOT selects partners for new transit-oriented development (TOD) project 

CTDOT has also selected Gilbane Development Company and MURAL Real Estate Partners to lead a privately developed transit-oriented, mixed-use community at New Haven Union Station. 

The $316.1 million project will convert underused state-owned land at Union Station into a mixed-use development anchored by two 16-story towers. CTDOT notes the project will deliver 470 new apartments, including 118 affordable units, alongside more than 28,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 26,000 square feet of residential amenities and 294 parking spaces to serve both tenants and transit customers.  

Construction will be completed in two phases. The first phase is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and be completed by early 2028. The second phase will start in August 2029 and wrap up by November 2031. 

“This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking development we need to see more of in Connecticut,” said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. “We’re creating new housing, including affordable units while strengthening public transit and growing the local economy. It’s a win for New Haven and a model for the rest of the state.” 

CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King added, “The New Haven Union Station redevelopment is part of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s larger strategy to reimagine underused state land at transit hubs across the state. In communities around the state, our goal is to turn these under-utilized parking lots into neighborhoods that encourage transit activity and long-term economic growth.”  

In addition to the TOD project underway in New Haven, CTDOT will issue a request for proposal this summer for another TOD project in Stamford. 

CTDOT is also studying 18 state-owned parking lots for potential TOD projects in partnership with cities, towns, developers and other stakeholders. Station locations being studied include Branford, Darien, Fairfield, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven and Wilton, among others.