Construction has gotten underway on a project to build a new Metro-North train station in Naugatuck on the Waterbury Branch Line. Connecticut’s Gov. Ned Lamont was among those taking part in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.
The new station is being built approximately 0.3-mile south of the existing station, slightly closer to Naugatuck’s downtown. The project is part of a larger Connecticut Department of Transportation $140 million program to upgrade all six stations on Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch Line: Naugatuck; Waterbury; Beacon Falls; Seymour; Ansonia; and Derby-Shelton.
The $33.2 million Naugatuck project is funded by a mix of 80% federal funds and 20% state funds. More than $26 million in federal funds have been lined up to pay for the project with state bond funds covering the remainder.
“We’re not just building a train station, we’re building more momentum for Naugatuck’s future,” Lamont said. “This new station brings public transportation closer to the heart of downtown, creating new opportunities for economic development, housing, and walkable neighborhoods. It’s an investment in infrastructure that connects people to jobs and strengthens communities.”
The new two-story station building will be approximately 2,300 square feet, with a platform area of about 4,400 square feet. It is scheduled to open in the summer of 2027. The new station will feature a 350-foot-long high-level platform with a snow melt system, ADA-compliant access via an elevator and stair tower, real-time arrival and departure displays, and a passenger waiting area equipped with a ticket vending machine. There will be 72 on-street parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging stations, energy-efficient LED lighting, and upgraded safety features.
“When it comes to ridership on the Waterbury Line, I’ve always believed that if we build it, the riders will come,” U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said. “With these state and federal dollars, we will continue to expand its ridership, connecting people to jobs and housing and boosting local economies.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal noted, “The Waterbury Line offers critical rail service to thousands of Valley residents, but the Naugatuck station is in need of urgent revitalization.”
“The new Naugatuck station will provide a safe and modern customer experience while connecting riders to the best service in Metro-North history,” Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek said. “And moving the station to a more convenient downtown location makes it even easier for riders to access all the amenities downtown Naugatuck has to offer.”
