CTDOT Begins Station Upgrades Along Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
CTDOT
DERBY, Conn. - Construction begins on station upgrades along the Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line, and it is expected to finish by spring 2028.
Stations in Derby-Shelton, Ansonia, Beacon Falls, and Seymour will receive upgrades, which include 350-foot platforms, covered canopies and windscreens, improved lighting, and clearer wayfinding. Additionally, these stations will have real-time arrival information and ticket vending. These upgrades come as part of a larger initiative by the state to upgrade six stations between 2025 and 2028. The estimated cost of these upgrades is $193 million.
For these upgrades to occur, service will be temporarily suspended and replaced with bus service beginning July 20, 2026. This will last until May 31, 2027. The stations located in Ansonia and Beacon Falls are located where the line is on a single track. Therefore, crews cannot complete major work safely while trains are operational. By suspending service, crews are able to complete the necessary work.
During this service outage, crews are also able to complete bridge, signal, and infrastructure upgrades between Stratford and Bridgeport. This is where the Waterbury Branch Lines connects to the New Haven Line. By taking advantage of the outage, crews can complete work under the Track Improvement Mobility Enhancement for Connecticut (TIME FOR CT) Program.
“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,” MTA Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek said. “As ridership continues to increase on the Waterbury Branch, at some stations exceeding 200% of 2019 levels, these station upgrades will allow us to provide a more seamless travel experience across the entire region.”
