Amtrak and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Open New Fishing Pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam

New Pier Provides Alternate Fishing Location While Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk Is Closed During Construction of New CT River Bridge

HADDAM, Conn. – A brand-new pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam is open for anglers, nature lovers, and other members of the public to enjoy scenic views, fishing, and more. Built by Amtrak and owned by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the permanent pier now provides an alternate fishing location while the Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk in Old Lyme is closed to make way for Amtrak’s construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.

Amtrak’s Connecticut River Bridge Project is now underway to replace the existing 118-year-old bridge with a modern moveable bridge that will improve the customer experience by eliminating delays, providing faster journeys, and modernizing another critical infrastructure asset that benefits the entire Northeast Corridor. With construction of the new bridge underway, Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk is now closed.

It is one of several passenger rail investments currently underway in the State of Connecticut, including the WALK Bridge Replacement in Norwalk, Devon Bridge Repairs in Milford, new stations in Windsor Locks and Enfield, and more projects led by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The new pier at Eagle Landing State Park, and Amtrak’s commitment to build it, resulted from feedback Amtrak solicited from the public and state/federal agencies during the environmental review phase of the Connecticut River Bridge Project. The park is located at 14 Little Meadow Road, Haddam. Additional details are available at ctparks.com.

Once the new Connecticut River Bridge is in service and the old bridge has been demolished in 2029, Amtrak will build a new and improved, fully accessible 1,000+ foot long observation deck and stairway at Ferry Landing State Park that would open in 2030/2031. The new Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk will upgrade the overall experience for everyone, featuring a 50% wider walkway with improved accessibility, a location slightly west of the existing site that will provide anglers better access to deep water, and stronger, more durable concrete piles for more support compared to the wooden piles used for the original structure.