Windsor Locks train station set to break ground in August

Jun. 30—WINDSOR LOCKS — First Selectman Paul Harrington took the next step towards construction of the $65 million Windsor Locks Train Station last week by signing a project authorization letter.

At the June 22 Board of Selectmen meeting, Harrington announced that construction on the state and federally funded project will begin in August and take around 18 months to complete.

Along with a new 500-foot partially covered platform, the train station also will include a snowmelt system, guardrails, bench seating, blue light emergency phones, walkways, lighting, security cameras, a parking lot, and more.

The letter states that roadway, pavement and drainage improvements also will be made along Main Street. Church Street will be reconfigured to terminate in a cul-de-sac and selective demolition will take place at the Windsor Locks Common building.

Additionally, a new pedestrian crossing bridge will be constructed just north of the existing bridge that spans Bridge Street and the Windsor Locks Canal.

Plans call for the bridge to have a metal rail, concrete curbs, deep micropile foundations, with a 12-foot width stretching 63-feet over the canal.

The project is being funded by the Federal Railroad Administration with matching state grants. According to a document released by the state Department of Transportation, the project is expected to cost $65 million.

The authorization letter notes that the town has no obligations to the state DOT with respect to cost, utilities, design phase, right-of-way phase, or construction phase of the project. Once completed, Windsor Locks will have full responsibility for ongoing maintenance of anything constructed under this project.

Collin covers East Windsor and Windsor Locks for the Journal Inquirer.