Naugatuck Passenger Rail Station Design and Transit Oriented Development

Naugatuck, Connecticut

Michael Baker is providing architectural and engineering design services for the Naugatuck Railroad Station as part of a Connecticut Department of Transportation initiative to modernize the Waterbury Branch Commuter Rail Line. The project aims to relocate the Naugatuck passenger service to an urban location to better serve the community and integrate adjacent transit-oriented development parcels.

Naugatuck Station is a major part of the client’s vision for a revitalized neighborhood. Preserving important station functionality and capacity for future growth at Naugatuck by carefully planning the station layout and footprint will limit construction rework to nearby developments, streetscape and utilities during future parcel developments. Michael Baker is designing the station to meet modern design standards, including a high-level platform, ticket vending and real-time arrival information. The new station will be more visible to provide easier access to downtown and spur economic development in the area.

The high-level platform will have canopies over the entire length and stairs and windscreens along the platform’s rear. Design elements will include LED lighting, lightweight fiber reinforced plastic platform panels with an integrated snowmelt system, accommodations for visual messaging systems and ticket vending machines. The dedicated parking will include 80 spaces, including 16 spaces equipped with electric vehicle chargers. Amenities such as benches, trash receptacles and a bicycle shelter next to the main entryway will provide additional ease and connectivity for travelers.

To create a walkable neighborhood between downtown and the Naugatuck River, the new station will align with projects currently planned for nearby Maple Street and the surrounding area. The site is part of a downtown revitalization area in the Borough of Naugatuck that includes enhanced streetscapes and private mixed-use developments. Additional connections between the station, downtown and the Naugatuck River Greenway will further reflect a design that integrates all portions of the community.