CT DOT plans new $35 million transportation project. It will be paid for by the state.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has a $35 million plan for a shoreline train station improvements project.

The plan calls for improvements to the Madison Shore Line East Railroad Station that will require acquisition of rights of way and impact local wetlands, records show.

The work would include construction that is anticipated to begin in fall 2027, according to the Department of Transportation. The project also is anticipated to be undertaken with 100% state funds, according to the DOT.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Scott Anderson said, “This project relates directly to CTDOT’s ongoing commitment to improve commuter rail services.”

For example, the project would include a new pedestrian bridge over the active rail line that would connect to the north and south side platforms, according to the DOT.

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“The proposed work at the town’s Shore Line East Station will make commuter rail services modern, reliable and convenient so that the future transportation needs of Connecticut’s residents are met,” Anderson said, in a statement.

“We encourage the public to attend this meeting to share their feedback with the CTDOT project team to incorporate into the design,” he said.

The in-person public information meeting on the Madison Railroad Station Improvements Project will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Madison Town Campus, Conference Room A, at 8 Campus Drive in Madison at 5:30 p.m., according to the agency. The meeting location is ADA accessible.

The DOT noted that the public information meeting is being held to “provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project.”

See a map of the site here.

According to the DOT, the right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements include “partial takes from the town, and an access easement and permanent easement for a wetland mitigation site on Copse Road.”

State records show the project involves:

Improvements to the Madison Shore Line East (SLE) Railroad Station by including a new north side high-level rail platform to be in the vicinity of the existing south side high-level rail platform that was constructed in July 2008.
A new pedestrian bridge over the active rail line that will connect to the north and south side platforms. The bridge will include dual elevators on both the north and south side platforms to satisfy requirements of the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA).
The construction of an access road from Old Route 79 to the platforms in-order to build the north side high-level rail platform and elevator shafts, and to allow for emergency and maintenance access to these north side project elements.

Further, according to the state agency, due to the construction “of the north side platform, elevator tower and access road, existing wetlands will be disturbed. The wetland loss will be mitigated with two mitigation sites within the town.” The agency map on the project appears to show those mitigation sites would be in the area of Horse Pond, shown on map as near Old Duck Hole Road.

Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements include:

A partial take from the town where the north platform and tower is being proposed.
A partial take from the town for a mitigation site at Horse Pond.
An access easement and permanent easement for the second wetland mitigation site at a Copse Road site.

The DOT noted the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting, or by Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, to (860) 594-2020 or to Scott Anderson at Scott.T.Anderson@ct.gov or (860) 594-3301. Reference Project No. 310-0058 in the email or voicemail.

Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2027 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permits, according to DOT.

For the meeting, people with hearing and/or speech disabilities can dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services. Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Anderson at Scott.T.Anderson@ct.gov or (860) 594-3301.

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109, and should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance, according to DOT.

https://www.courant.com/2026/02/02/ct-dot-plans-new-35-million-transportation-project-it-includes-right-of-way-acquisitions/