The Norwalk/Danbury railway is a mainstay of Fairfield County. Even those who do not often take the train count on it as a lifeline to our urban centers and as a key to sustaining property values and quality of life. This is why, now that improvements to our service are in sight, those of us who have spent years fighting for them must intensify our efforts to maintain the momentum and ensure that we get the results that everyone in Fairfield County has been waiting for.

How could a regional asset as vital as our railway be allowed to reach its current state of decline? The principal factors were a lack of support and understanding at the state level. For many years, this deprived our train line of the funding needed for even basic maintenance and dragged it lower and lower on the list of infrastructure priorities.

As a passionate advocate for the Norwalk/Danbury line, I have spent more than a decade in Hartford fighting to keep it alive and to focus attention on the need to improve service. It has been an uphill battle. Fortunately, however, Governor Rell believes in mass transit and understands the economic imperative this line represents. When she took office, we finally began to move the needle, and today there is real progress to report.

Key New Developments

One factor holding back much needed upgrades to our train line was the state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) bundling of all proposed improvements into one large project that would have taken more than 10 years to complete. My strategy was to convince the DOT to consider the first, and most critical, step in the proposed program as a stand-alone project. I succeeded, and as a result, the DOT has begun a full upgrade of our signaling system, which will mean shorter commutes and more flexible train schedules. A fully automated system will finally replace the nineteenth-century manual technology that currently enables the trains on our branch line to pass each other. The Federal Transportation agency released the funding for this project this month, the design phase has begun, and the DOT has committed to completing the installation of the new system within three years.

Meanwhile, I have been working relentlessly with my colleagues to push for the rapid development of a master plan for a total upgrade of our rail line. As an Advisory Board Member of the Branch Line study group, I have been anxiously awaiting, along with municipal leaders in our corridor, signs of urgent action from the DOT. The time has now arrived. The DOT has made public a new set of proposals for upgrades, including electrification, which would substantially improve the flexibility of our rail cars and increase their number. I recently attended three sessions held in Wilton, Ridgefield, and New Milford to receive public comment. The feedback was strong and supportive. It adds credibility to our case for major investments.

A Turbulent History

For those who are new to this issue, let me put it into historical context. An upgrade of our train line was originally considered in 1997. The administration and legislative leadership at that time, however, proposed completely shutting down the line instead. They wanted to replace it with a super highway, supplemented by buses. The state turned its back on mass transit, especially our north-south train corridors. Understanding the vital economic impact of the Norwalk/Danbury line, I fought successfully to save it and have been a staunch advocate ever since.

Nevertheless, pressure for a highway continued and upgrades for the train were shelved until Jodi Rell became Governor. We now have a leader who believes in mass transit. For 30 of the last 34 years, we had leaders in Hartford who did not. They had long ago shut down most of our state’s train department, outsourcing it to New York in 1982. When I was appointed to the House Transportation Committee in 2005, I asked for a thorough review of our train contract. Findings showed that it gave Connecticut practically no voice or ability to negotiate fairly. I then asked Governor Rell to mandate DOT attendance at each Metro North meeting and she assigned someone immediately. As a result, our state’s voice became stronger and attitudes in Hartford began to change.

Although the pace of action was slow, we were able to make some progress. During our first review of the Route 7 widening project, the DOT and our First Selectman responded favorably to a suggestion that I made to increase parking capacity at the main Wilton station. I was able to double the number of parking spaces at two of our stations and to bring water and plumbing to another. We must continue to pursue facility improvements and additional parking capacity.

Why Now?

After years of frustration and setbacks, we finally have a real opportunity to transform the quality of service on the Norwalk/Danbury line. The economic situation demands it, and our state leadership now acknowledges the urgency.

Throughout much of its history, the DOT was dominated by building engineers who understood a great deal about mechanics, but less about planning, economics, and consumer needs. An important sign of the state’s change in focus is the recent appointment of Joseph Marie, a recognized mass transit expert, as DOT commissioner.

Soaring gas prices have also helped to create an environment conducive to the improvement of mass transit. More commuters are getting off the road onto buses and trains, which relieves traffic congestion, reduces pollution, and saves money. This is prompting legislators and the DOT to devote their energies to mass transit instead of listening to the few remaining voices calling for super highways.

Who Benefits?

Train riders are the most obvious beneficiaries of improvements to the Norwalk/Danbury line. New businesses and housing developments in the corridor that are planned or have been completed will also benefit greatly from access to more frequent, reliable, and convenient trains.

Even if you live in a town that is not on the Norwalk/Danbury rail line, its upgrade is important for you. Securing the economic vitality of the region, enhancing home values, relieving road congestion, and reducing pollution are just a few considerations. One of the most important reasons for you to weigh in is that improving this line will relieve pressure on the Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, and Harlem train stations, opening up seats and parking spaces for the residents there.

Now that we are making headway, we must aggressively keep pushing to ensure that the momentum is sustained. Please learn about the plans for this transportation corridor. Join us in becoming an advocate by going to www.danburybranchstudy.com, info@danburybranchstudy.com or write to them at Danbury Branch EIS, c/o URS Corporation, 500 Enterprise Drive, Suite 3B, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. The comment period is open until July 25, 2008. Thank you.