The long-awaited works to upgrade the Clinton train station are scheduled to start in March next year, as detailed in a Town Hall presentation by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on Oct. 11.

The state-funded project is estimated to cost $17 million, with plans to have the works completed by December 2019.

The upgrade includes high-level boarding, improvements to the passenger-waiting area including shelters and elevators, improved passenger information systems, energy efficient lighting, emergency phones, security cameras, a covered bike storage area, and additional parking. Designs of the project feature an “up-and-over” structure, allowing easy movement to both sides of the tracks, and an additional 21 parking bays, bringing the onsite total to 141 spaces.

DOT officials said the upgrades to Clinton’s train station, which opened in 1990, are part of a plan to deliver double-platform service at all Shoreline East stations, as completed at the Westbrook train station. Clinton has been slow to receive station upgrades, with other Shoreline East towns having received a second round of renovations to their up-and-over stations though Clinton has yet to receive the up-and-over upgrade, seen as a key to marketing the empty Unilever site to the north of the station.

In response to questioning from community members, DOT officials did confirm that there would be pedestrian access to the station from the site of the proposed CVS property on the corner of Hull Street and Route 1.

The upgrade project will go out to bid in December, and according to the DOT, work will be managed to minimize disruption to parking in the area.