Visitors looking for new spots to fish or relax by the water can now enjoy a brand-new pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam, Connecticut.
According to an article by Hartford Courant, Officials confirmed that the permanent pier, built by Amtrak and owned by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is now open to the public for fishing and outdoor recreation.
The new structure offers a much-needed alternative while the Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk in Old Lyme remains closed due to major infrastructure work.
According to DEEP, the closure is necessary as Amtrak pushes forward with the construction of a new Connecticut River bridge between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.
Amtrak confirmed that construction on the Connecticut River Bridge Project is currently underway.
The project will replace the existing 118-year-old railroad bridge with a modern, movable design aimed at eliminating delays, offering faster journeys, and bringing critical infrastructure up to current standards. Completion of the new bridge is expected by 2031.
Officials said the Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk is closed for the duration of the construction project.
However, plans are already in place to enhance the park once the work is finished. After the old bridge is demolished in 2029, Amtrak will build a fully accessible 1,000-foot-long observation deck and stairway at Ferry Landing State Park, set to open in 2030.
“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,” DEEP said in a statement.
The construction at Ferry Landing is part of a broader series of rail improvements underway across Connecticut, including the WALK Bridge Replacement in Norwalk, Devon Bridge Repairs in Milford, and new Amtrak stations in Windsor Locks and Enfield, according to Amtrak.
The opening of the new pier at Eagle Landing State Park marks a significant moment for outdoor recreation lovers. It ensures that despite major infrastructure projects along the Connecticut River, there are still accessible, high-quality spaces where people can fish, enjoy the outdoors, and stay connected with nature while waiting for even bigger upgrades in the coming years.