Station construction begins for commuter-rail program in Connecticut

Construction has begun on three new stations that will be part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter-rail program, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) officials announced late last week.

Located in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin, the stations are part of the new commuter-rail service that has been branded the Hartford Line. Construction on the three stations is scheduled to be completed by the time the service launches in late 2016, state officials said in a press release.

The stations will feature high-level platforms on both sides of the track; an overhead pedestrian bridge with new elevators and stair towers on both sides of the track to connect the two platforms; platform snow melt systems; electric vehicle charging stations; ticket vending machines; and passenger information display systems.

"The [New Haven-Hartford-Springfield] rail program will not only offer more frequent, convenient and faster passenger-rail service, but it will also cultivate significant benefits to communities along the rail line, including local economic and transit-oriented development activities at and around these stations,” said Malloy.

The governor also unveiled a new logo for the service, which will be displayed at all Hartford Line stations and in marketing materials.