Here's When The Darien Train Station Improvement Project Could Be Completed

DARIEN, CT — The $33 million Darien Train Station improvement project has experienced several delays in recent months, but it is now scheduled to be completed by summer 2026, according to the CT Department of Transportation, which posted an update video to social media on Nov. 12.

The project is bringing several upgrades to the train station, including new heated platforms, better speakers for train announcements, improved lighting, public information display boards, new elevators, ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks, and EV charging infrastructure.

First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky also provided an update on the project this week in a video from Darien TV79.

According to Zagrodzky, the New Haven-bound platforms on the east side of the station opened on Nov. 17.

The platform for the New York-bound trains is slated to open at the end of December, Zagrodzky said.

"Once that side is activated, the west platforms are going to be demolished, and they're going to replace those. That should be a much faster process because they're not next to the train station, and all that is going to be a lot easier," Zagrodzky said. "The expectation is that those are going to be finished some time this summer, and when it is finished, this whole station is going to look a lot better."

Overall, Zagrodzky said the new heated platforms will be much safer, and will eliminate the use of salt to melt ice in the winter, which heavily damaged the old platforms.

Zagrodzky acknowledged the delays that have been associated with the project. Recent delays have notably been caused by other track work in the area and the replacement of a bridge up the line in Norwalk.

"That's a gigantic project for a very, very old bridge that's extraordinarily complicated. Sometimes when that work is going on they've had to adjust the work schedule here, and it has just created delays," Zagrodzky said. "I know this has been a frustrating project, and it's really annoying to have all the parking blockages that we've had here, but I appreciate everyone's patience."

The CT DOT announced this week that milling and paving of the track 3 (New York-bound side) parking lot at the train station will start on Nov. 22 beginning at 5 a.m. and ending Nov. 23 at 11:59 p.m.

The parking lot is being milled, paved and re-striped to provide a smoother driving and walking surface, CT DOT said. The platform will be open during this time and access can be made from the west side (right side of track 3 platform) on West Avenue.

You can view Zagrodzky's full video update on Darien TV79.