By State Senator
Toni Boucher
Good news from the new Commissioner of Transportation,
Joseph Marie, for our Norwalk to Danbury train line
is shining a bright light through the thick haze of
the grim economic headlines that confront us daily.
Those of us who have fought so long to ensure that a
revitalized Norwalk/ Danbury Branch Line is a key component
of Connecticut’s mass transit system are greatly
encouraged by his and Governor Rell’s most recent
efforts to upgrade our historic train line.
Just last month, the State Bond Commission authorized
$2.5 million to design a centralized traffic control
system. This vital appropriation was followed earlier
this month by the federal government’s commitment
to Commissioner Marie to help fund the remainder of
this $75 million project. By the end of 2011 or early
2012 the Norwalk/Danbury Branch Line will no longer
be the only rail line in America where a trainman has
to get off the train and manually pull a switch in order
for one train to pass another. It also means that our
north south spur could become compatible with the New
Haven line, bringing our commuters greater capacity
and more flexible schedules.
Fortunately, it has been nothing but good news for
the future of the Norwalk/Danbury Train Line for the
past several months. Back in October, two new midday
trains were added to the Norwalk/Danbury weekday branch
in response to growing customer demand. And –
finally – running water and a restroom facility
were installed at the Cannondale Train Station!
How attitudes have changed since I was first elected
to the General Assembly as a State Representative! Back
then, there was little interest in keeping the branch
line operating, never mind improving it. In fact, in
1997 there was a serious effort to replace this branch
line with a super highway and buses. I, and other like-minded
advocates, launched a successful fight to save the Norwalk/Danbury
Branch Line – and we’ve been fighting ever
since. Saving the train line was a necessary first step;
securing funding for basic maintenance, never mind infrastructure
improvements, proved to be even more difficult.
However, as a recent member of the General Assembly’s
Transportation Committee, and now as the leading Republican
Senator of this important committee, I have promoted
a change in attitude with regards to mass transit. Unlike
my early years in the General Assembly, the state of
Connecticut now has a stronger voice in the Metro North
decisions. We have more parking at the Wilton Train
Station and at two of our smaller stations have added
plumbing with there was none.
What changed? Fortunately, Governor M. Jodi Rell believes
in mass transit and understands the economic imperative
the Norwalk/Danbury Branch Line represents. Shortly
after she took office in 2004, as advocates of preserving
and improving our rail line, we began to see real progress
for the first time in decades. In addition, after a
series of revolving door DOT Commissioners, we now have
a strong, powerful, ally in Commissioner Joseph Marie.
Clearly, the most obvious beneficiaries of this change
in attitude are the commuters who count on the Norwalk/Danbury
Branch Line as their lifeline to the urban centers.
But, they are not the only ones. Excellent train service
and a much-improved Norwalk/Danbury Branch Line is a
key to sustaining property values and improving the
quality of life in Fairfield County by making it feasible
for more commuters to avoid our overburdened highways.
In the end, mass transit saves money, reduces pollution
and relieves traffic congestion.
I am optimistic that the good news regarding the future
of our Norwalk/Danbury Branch Line is going to continue.
DOT has completed the first phase of its study to evaluate
the feasibility improving train travel times by, among
other things, re-electrifying the branch line. Currently,
the train line is no longer electrified and uses diesel
locomotives in a push –pull operation, pushing
towards Grand Central and pulling toward Danbury. The
second phase of the study is now underway. Among the
long-term improvements contemplated is extending the
branch line from Danbury to New Milford, and from Danbury
to Waterbury. Ultimately, a successful outcome will
be an expanded state-of-the-art Norwalk/Danbury Branch
Line that provides excellent service on an appropriate
number of train cars traveling between stations that
provide quality amenities and sufficient parking. I
encourage those interested in learning more to visit
the website dedicated to the ongoing study at
www.danburybranchstudy.com.
It is interesting to note that the Norwalk/Danbury
Branch Line has been a mainstay of Fairfield County
for well over one hundred years, its early history dating
back to 1835 when the Connecticut State Legislature
granted a rail charter to an enterprise then known as
the Fairfield County Railroad. Even then, progress was
anything but smooth, and by 1850 the charter was renewed
and renamed “The Danbury & Norwalk Railroad”.
In 1852, the D&N started running its two Hinkley
Steam Engines - named “The Danbury” and
“The Norwalk” – along its 23-mile
line. In those days, the trains made two daily round
trips for passengers – and one way took 75 minutes.
I encourage everyone interested in learning more about
the fascinating history of the Norwalk/Danbury Branch
Line to check out information provided on the website
maintained by the Housatonic Valley of Elected Officials
at www.hvceo.org.
Meanwhile, I urge all of you to support ongoing efforts
to modernize our rail line so that it can continue to
serve Fairfield County for many generations to come.
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