You asked for a description of improvements made to railroad stations, including parking facilities, in southwestern Connecticut.

SUMMARY

There have been major improvements to stations in Bridgeport, Darien, Milford, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport, and Wilton over the past five years. The most significant improvement was to the Stamford station, where a center island platform was built at a cost of more than $ 100 million to permit expanded operations. Parking lots were built or expanded at Bridgeport and Wilton.

In addition to the projects described in this report, a new garage is being built at the Stamford station and a contractor has been selected to make the Westport station comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including construction of a tunnel under the tracks. There have also been substantial improvements in rail infrastructure, including reconstruction of the Peck Moveable Bridge in Bridgeport and the replacement of catenary lines that provide power to trains. There have also been major improvements to stations and infrastructure on the New Haven County segment of the Metro-North mainline and on Shore Line East, which serves the towns east of New Haven.

STATION IMPROVEMENTS

Stamford

The center island platform was built between 1997 and 2001 at a cost of over $ 100 million. The new platform allows four, rather than two, trains to board and deboard passengers simultaneously. It also makes it easier to transfer between trains without having to cross over to another platform. The station was also made fully accessible to disabled persons. During the same time, the railroad bridge over Washington Boulevard was rebuilt, improving traffic flow on the boulevard with the addition of turning lanes.

A new parking garage is being built at the station.   The new garage will provide an additional 1,200 spaces when it is completed in February 2003.   The garage is being built next to the existing facility along Station Place and Atlantic Street.   Enhancements to the existing garage are also planned over the next two years.  In addition, the Southwest Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) is conducting a study, funded by the city and the federal government, on how access to the station can be improved for transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Bridgeport

Various station and site improvements were made between March 1998 and June 2000 at a cost of $ 1. 5 million. In addition, a new 950-space parking garage, built at a cost of $ 10 million, opened in January 2000 located between the station and the HarborYard ball park.

Darien

Between October 2000 and June 2002, improvements were made to the platform, station, and parking lot, and new canopies and elevators were installed at a cost of $ 7 million. In the second phase of the project, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2003, improvements will be made to the stations' lighting, walkways, and stairs. SWRPA is conducting a study on parking needs for the Darien and Norwalk stations. Further information about this study is available on SWRPA's website, http: //www. swrpa. org/projects/railroadparking. htm.

Milford

Between October 2000 and June 2002, new floors and ceilings were installed and various ADA improvements were made at a cost of approximately $ 3 million.

New Canaan

Between January 1998 and September 1999, various improvements were made to the station and the site at a cost of $ 4. 1 million.

Wilton

Between May 2001 and March 2002, the parking lot was expanded by 43 spaces, at a cost of $ 189,000. In addition, a nearby grade crossing was improved.

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