The project will begin the planning, environmental planning, and design process for the closure of the existing at-grade crossing located approximately 75 feet west of the U.S. 5 and toelles road…

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) a $500,000 Project Grant under the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (CFDA 20.327) on May 1, 2025, for planning, environmental review, and design activities related to grade crossing improvement in Wallingford, Connecticut. The grant supports the feasibility study and preliminary design phase for eliminating an at-grade railroad crossing (Crossing #500637X at Milepost 10.56) located approximately 75 feet west of the U.S. Route 5 and Toelles Road intersection on the Hartford Line Rail Corridor. The project encompasses grade separation through construction of a new roadway bridge to carry Toelles Road over the Hartford Line Rail Corridor and U.S. Route 5, reconfiguration of the intersection with the Wharton Brook Connector to I-91, and consideration of service roads for local business access.

The planning and design work will be completed by August 31, 2027, and includes coordination with utility owners regarding existing 115-kilovolt electrical transmission lines crossing the project area. As a planning and environmental review phase grant under the RCE Program, CTDOT will conduct the necessary preliminary engineering and National Environmental Policy Act documentation to advance this grade crossing elimination project, which aims to improve safety at a railroad-highway intersection where trains operate at maximum speeds of 90 miles per hour and enhance mobility for vehicles traveling between Toelles Road and I-91.

The project will begin the planning, environmental planning, and design process for the closure of the existing at-grade crossing located approximately 75 feet west of the U.S. 5 and toelles road intersection. The hartford line rail corridor runs parallel to U.S. 5. On the eastern leg of the intersection is the wharton brook connector to i-91. The maximum authorized speed (MAS) on this segment of the railroad is 90 MPH. The existing grade crossing is crossing #500637X at milepost 10.56. The project will study the feasibility of eliminating the current grade crossing with the construction of a new roadway bridge carrying toelles road over the hartford line rail corridor and U.S. 5 and construction of a new intersection directly connecting toelles road and the wharton brook connector. The intersection of U.S. 5 and the westbound leg of the wharton brook connector are envisioned to be reconfigured for two-way traffic on the wharton brook connector for vehicles traveling either to toelles road or to i-91. Additionally, the project will consider service roads alongside the elevated roadway on the west side of track for local access to businesses. There are 115KV electrical transmission lines crossing overhead from the west side of the tracks to the east side on a long, gradual skew, remaining on the west side of U.S. 5. Ctdot will coordinate with the utility owners as part of the project.