The first of three new train stations along the Hartford Line, Wallingford’s new station had a grand opening ceremony in November. However, increased train service will not start until May 2018 as part of the CTrail Hartford Line.
The $687 million construction project, which began in 2015, includes three new stations in Wallingford, Meriden, and Berlin. The new station boasts an elevated platform interconnected with the pedestrian-bridge, elevators, canopies covering over half the platform length, and parking spaces for 221 vehicles. In addition, the station’s platforms have hydronic heating systems to melt snow, schedule information display systems, and electric charging stations for mobile phones.
The new Wallingford train station on North Cherry Street is located approximately one mile north of the existing station. Mr. John Bernick, assistant rail administrator for the Connecticut Department of Transportation said, “The Wallingford station [was] moved because the service needed a high-level platform for a more convenient experience for passengers.” As the Hartford Line looks to provide more daily Amtrak services between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, Bernick is excited for a significant increase in overall passenger numbers.
With the expected completion of the CTrail Hartford Line in 2018, Wallingford residents will at last be able to experience improved Amtrak and Acela services, Metro North, and Shore Line East rail services via the New Haven station. Bernick said, “CT Rail is to combine these different services and provide a more unified experience for the travelers.” The number of round-trip trains running between New Haven and Hartford will almost triple — from 6 to 17. The trains will run at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour.
Savannah Cronin, a local Wallingford resident, sees many benefits in the new station. “The new train station will be extremely convenient for workers to commute into the city and back. Instead of having to drive to New Haven and get on the Metro-North to New York City, I can just take the train over.”
Elizabeth Yocher, an employee at Pure Alchemy Juice Bar Cafe on Colony Road, added that she hopes the new train station will help the town’s economy, “This would be a huge factor in helping help small businesses, companies and restaurants around town,” she said.
Her hopes may become reality, as the long-term vision of this project includes a partnership with Vermont and Massachusetts to have the Vermonter — an Amtrak train that now runs from St. Albans, Vermont, to Washington, D.C. — continue north to Montreal. “There are some hurdles including how to handle Customs inspections,” said Bernick. “But the leadership in Vermont and in Canada are working closely to advance the project.”
Bernick continued, “I think it means a lot to Wallingford for its convenience of transportation. We look forward to see the changes it will bring to the community.”
