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GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW TRAIN STATION IN WALLINGFORD THAT WILL SERVE THE HARTFORD LINE

State Prepares for Mid-2018 Launch of the Hartford Line, Offering Frequent Rail Service Between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield

      

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today joined Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker and numerous federal, state, and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of the newly constructed train station in Wallingford.  Located at 343 North Cherry Street, the station will immediately begin providing service to existing Amtrak trains and soon will begin serving trains on the CTrail Hartford Line, the passenger rail service currently under construction and scheduled to launch in the middle of next year that will provide commuters with more frequent train service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield.

“We are getting closer each day to launching a commuter rail line between New Haven, Hartford, and our friends in Springfield, and today’s opening of the new station in Wallingford marks a major milestone in the evolution of the much-needed service,” Governor Malloy said.  “Creation of the Hartford Line will provide those working, living, and traveling along this corridor with fast, safe, and reliable rail transportation – providing greater attraction for businesses, stimulating job creation, and improving our overall quality of life.”

The new Wallingford station, which replaces an outdated station nearby, is the first of several new stations being constructed along the Hartford Line that has opened for service.  Stations that will immediately begin serving the line when it opens next year are located in New Haven (Union Station and State Street), Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks and Springfield.  Additional new stations are currently in the design process for locations in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford, and Enfield.

“This is an exciting project that will offer new transit options to commuters and open the whole region to expanded commerce,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “Modernizing our transportation network is critical, not simply because we have among the oldest rail infrastructure in the nation, but it also demonstrates our priorities as a state.  Transit systems must move people and goods efficiently, reduce roadway congestion and pollution, and be part of the overall package that attracts business and a workforce.  The CTrail Hartford Line will help us do exactly that.”

“This new, dynamic station will benefit the community, passengers and the entire region as a whole for years to come,” Commissioner Redeker said.  “It is a testament to the dedication and drive of all those who brought it to completion during three harsh New England winters and in the middle of an active rail line.  We expect it to attract new visitors and rail passengers as we prepare for launch of the CTrail Hartford Line.”

Construction of the approximately $21 million station began in December 2014 and features several amenities aimed at improving the passenger experience for Hartford Line riders.  These include high-level platforms on both sides of the tracks, elevators, stairways, canopies covering approximately 50 percent of each platform, ticket vending machines, a passenger information display system, and an overhead pedestrian bridge.  To improve passenger safety, the new station features automatic platform snow melting systems, security cameras, and blue-light emergency call boxes.

The former Wallingford station, located adjacent to the railroad green at 37 Hall Avenue, will no longer operate as a train station but will remain as a hub for town life, anchoring the downtown community.  The existing station building houses several organizations, including the Wallingford Adult Education Center and the New Haven Society of Model Engineers Railroad Club.

“The opening of this station is part of a widespread effort to encourage economic development and create a more livable and sustainable downtown area,” Wallingford Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said.  “The Town of Wallingford has adopted a transit-oriented development plan, which encourages dedicated on-street parking, pedestrian safety and streetscape improvements.”

This summer, Governor Malloy announced that a joint venture of TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts (TASI/ACI) was select by the state as the service provider that will operate and manage the Hartford Line.

“TASI/ACI would like to thank the State of Connecticut for the opportunity to be the service provider for the new CTrail Hartford Line,” TASI/ACI General Manager Douglass M. Honn said.  “The opening of this beautiful Wallingford station marks yet another great milestone in advance of  new intercity passenger rail service in the 62-mile corridor between New Haven and Springfield.  TASI/ACI is committed to providing top-quality service and looks forward to working with FRA, CTDOT, Amtrak and Metro-North to expand mobility options and growth opportunities in this important central Connecticut corridor.”

“Amtrak celebrates the opening of the new Wallingford station as another impressive achievement toward the goal of expanded passenger rail service for Connecticut and New England,” Tom Moritz, Assistant Vice President of Infrastructure Access and Investment, said.  “We thank the State of Connecticut and FRA for their commitment to the delivery of enhanced service for our customers and those of the new CTrail Hartford Line service.”

Parking information for the new Wallingford station

The Wallingford station contains 221 parking spaces in two surface parking lots, which are accessible via North Colony Road and North Cherry Street.  One electric vehicle charging station will be located in the North Cherry Street lot, allowing two vehicles to charge at once.

Parking fees were determined by an analysis of local market rates and are $2 per day or $20 per month for all vehicles.  Parking will be free on weekends and federal holidays.  Payment can be made with credit card, debit cards, and cash.

Funds generated from the collection of parking fees will help offset the annual maintenance and operating costs associated with the CTDOT’s CTrail parking facilities.  TASI/ACI will be responsible for the management, security, and maintenance of the adjacent surface parking lot.

Additional background on the CTrail Hartford Line

Upon its launch, Hartford Line service will significantly increase the number of trips serving the corridor, featuring 17 daily round trips between New Haven and Hartford, with 12 of these trips continuing north and terminating at Union Station in Springfield.  Trains will operate at speeds up to 110 MPH, with a travel time between New Haven and Springfield of approximately 81 minutes, a savings of about 8 minutes from current service.  The Hartford Line will provide direct or connecting service to New York City, Boston, and Vermont.