HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has selected HNTB to provide construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for a series of station improvements along the Waterbury Branch Line, a 28.5-mile segment of Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line serving the Naugatuck River Valley.
The project includes major facility and operational upgrades at five stations — Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, Beacon Falls, and Waterbury — aimed at modernizing infrastructure, enhancing the commuter experience, and improving overall system performance.
HNTB will oversee the construction of new platforms, ramps, and canopies; realignment of railroad tracks; improvements to parking and drainage systems; installation of electric vehicle charging stations; and relocation of a railroad signal hut. In addition, the firm will manage the renovation of the historic Derby Station and build a new passenger waiting room inside the Republican-American building at Waterbury Station.
“We are excited to support our client with this opportunity to enhance rail service and infrastructure for communities along the Waterbury Branch Line,” said Jake Argiro, PE, HNTB’s Connecticut Office Leader and Vice President. “By bringing in top-tier talents in CEI and integrated project controls capabilities, we’re ready to support the state’s most complex infrastructure projects with innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.”
HNTB recently expanded its regional construction services team, adding professionals with backgrounds in construction and alternative delivery, as well as expertise in public outreach, risk management, cost forecasting, and schedule control on large-scale infrastructure initiatives across the region.
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“The Waterbury Branch Line upgrades have been a long-standing priority for CTDOT,” said David Speerli, PE, HNTB Senior Resident Engineer and Project Manager. “As part of its commitment to modernizing the line, CTDOT has already acquired new coach cars, which will be in service upon project completion, further enhancing the quality, frequency, and reliability of service for passengers. These upgrades will align Waterbury Branch stations with the standards of other Metro-North lines, supporting long-term growth and mobility in the region.”
In Connecticut, HNTB has played key roles on the WALK Bridge Program, the Gold Star Memorial Bridge rehabilitation, and the TIME 4 project — a 5-mile stretch of the TIME program that includes design of the SAGA Bridge, a movable bridge, over the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut.
Project completion across all stations is anticipated by fall 2027.
