Construction is officially underway on a $35.2 million redevelopment of the Waterbury train station, state officials announced Monday.
Gov. Ned Lamont and state Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said the long-anticipated project will modernize the historic Union Station building, improve accessibility and enhance the overall rider experience on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line.
The project is part of the Lamont administration’s broader initiative to upgrade all six stations along the branch line.
In Waterbury, the improvements include a new high-level, 350-foot platform compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), real-time arrival displays, security enhancements and a 1,600-square-foot indoor waiting area inside Union Station, which will reopen to the public for the first time in decades.
The building formerly was home to the Republican-American newspaper, which was acquired earlier this year by Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
“This is an investment in Waterbury’s long-term growth,” Lamont said. “This redevelopment will build on the Waterbury Branch’s ridership success and help power downtown Waterbury’s continued revitalization.”
Eucalitto emphasized the project’s dual focus on preservation and modernization.
“With modern amenities, we’re delivering the kind of 21st-century transit experience riders deserve,” he said. “This project reopens Union Station while making it fully ADA compliant.”
Federal funding will cover $28.1 million of the project’s cost. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called the investment “desperately needed,” noting that the upgrades will improve daily life for thousands of commuters.
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5th District) agreed, saying the project was long overdue and will “revitalize the surrounding community.”
The renovated station will feature a modern indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, security cameras and customer information displays. Offices for CTDOT and Metro-North will occupy a new mezzanine level, connected by a new elevator.
Construction of the indoor waiting area is scheduled to begin next month, with platform work starting in early 2026. The new station is expected to open in fall 2026. Substitute bus service will be provided during construction to minimize rider disruption.