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Project Description:
The Thompsonville Transit Center (TTC) (sometimes called the Intermodal Transit Facility) will be a transportation hub including bus, taxi, rail and other shuttle services and is planned to be built in four phases.
The first phase of the project is to create a bus and shuttle service area providing for both local and express bus service to stops around Enfield including the mall and senior center, and connections to Hartford and Springfield. This portion of the facility will be a hub for many of the existing commuters, as approximately 250 people take the bus into Hartford each day for work. Phase 1 will include a small parking area, pedestrian and bicycle paths, bus ports and a small shelter for waiting passengers.
The second phase of the TTC will be to expand the transit center’s operating capacity by demolishing the old CL&P power plant and renovating the former Westfield Casket Hardware building next to the tracks. The historic brick building, built in 1893, will serve as the main station facility for both bus and rail passengers and will provide commercial space for various retail services.
The third phase will begin partial rail service on the New Haven/Hartford/Springfield line, although this was originally slated to not start until 2016, with recent developments including funds acquisition this has been pushed up much closer. The rail portion of the station will provide raised platforms and an “up & over” structure to allow passengers to safety cross the tracks.
The fourth and final phase will be the full implementation of rail service once the double tracks are restored along the entire line. This phase also includes more commuter-parking on the east side for the tracks.
To date, the Town has about $3 million dedicated to the Transit Center project. We are working with our Congressional delegation to obtain more funding through the Stimulus Bill and other federal transit programs. The total cost for all 4 phases is estimated at $10 million. The Town is in the process of acquiring essential property and developing plans for construction of Phase I which should be ready for ground breaking within the next 2 years.
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