The rail service will be restored in Enfield thanks to the fed eral and state grants. The new train station was part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line expansion program. If you wish to know about the Enfield train station grants and when construction will begin, you can learn everything here.
Enfield Train Station Grant
The Enfield train station was out of order from 1986, and people have been asking for the train station for a very long time. In 2022, the Senators and Governor Ned Lamont announced the funds for the Enfield train station.
The federal funding will end the more than three-decade wait of the residents, the Connecticut Congressional delegation, DOT, and local leaders. The grant of $13.8 million under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, and other federal or state grants, is making this possible.
The new train station in the Thompsonville section of town is a part of the Hartford Line expansion program and the Connecticut efforts to enhance the rail service in the town. It will connect Enfield to the key stations, New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, and beyond New York City through Amtrak and Metro-North.
What are the federal or state grants allotted for the Enfield train station?
For the development of the Enfield train station, the following federal and state grants have been allotted to reconnect Enfield to other areas through rail route:
Federal Grants
- High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program:
- The state has applied for funding under the HSIPR program to enhance the NHHS corridor. During 2009 and 2011, the state got the $190.9 million HSIPR grants.
- Though it is not directly connected to the Enfield train station, it was used for the Hartford line.
- CRISI grant:
- The US Department of Transportation has sanctioned the grant of $13.8 million for the new train station under the CRISI program.
- This grant will finance the environmental review, project design, and construction of the station.
- FTA grant:
- The FTA will offer a grant for the bus infrastructure and rebuild the station to improve the bus transit from the station.
State Grant:
- Five-Year Capital Plan:
- The State of Connecticut announced a $16 billion five-year capital plan for 100 projects, where the $2.7 billion will be used for rail and bus.
- According to reports, around $51.66 million will be used for the Enfield train station, where $35 million will be offered through the state and $16.66 million from the federal government.
What are the five major components of the Enfield Station?
According to the proposed Enfield new train station proposal, the station will be located at Amtrak-owned NHHS, Hartford Line, and the project will be constructed based on the following five major components:
- Station Platform that will include a parking lot and other supporting structures;
- Main Street Bridge
- Track and Signals construction supporting the station platform
- Force support for inspection
- And rebuild the bus infrastructure, and rebuild the main street and commerce street.
The authority believes the Enfield station not only boosts the rail service, but also puts the town on the map, leading to more access to work, connecting northeast Connecticut, and improving the lives of the people.
Hence, the authorities will focus on the five components to ensure the project meets its purpose and fulfills the Hartford Line expansion project.
When will the construction of the Enfield train station begin?
According to the latest update on the Enfield train station, it is important for the transit-oriented development program going on major rail lines to improve the connectivity, increase the speed and frequency of the rail service.
The Enfield station will be connected to existing bus stations or services, passenger amenities for citizens and disabled people, 80 parking spots, and other major amenities. Mayor Ken Nelson informed that the CT DOT is working on finalizing the design with other stakeholders.
The Enfield train station also had an environmental assessment finding of No Significant Impact for the project last year. The current reports say the construction of the Enfield train station can begin this year.
The update on the new train station in Enfield town is yet to be out, as preliminary work is still needed, such as site inspection, road improvements, and others, ahead of the construction. The Enfield train station will connect the town with major cities and strengthen the state rail service.
