Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich), a member of the Bond Commission, voted today to approve $1.2 million to be used for a rail needs and feasibility study to identify transit needs along the New Canaan and Waterbury Branch line Corridors of the New Haven Line. The study will show how this area should be developed to fit within an overall statewide transportation strategy which will balance needs and funding ability. The Bond Commission vote was unanimous.
The study will identify and evaluate a range of transit service options and infrastructure requirements including modification of existing stations and platform areas or construction of new ones. Ancillary services such as bus service to and from rail stations may be modified. The Department of Transportation will begin the process of hiring a consultant to perform the study immediately which could take six to eight months. The study itself could take up to eighteen months depending upon how the scope changes as the process evolves.
Nickerson said, "I am very pleased to see that the Governor has recognized the need and has supported the funding to perform this study in an effort to determine an alternative to driving Route 106 and Route 8 and other roads. This would improve driving conditions for travelers using the regions highways."
"We can not afford to ignore the great potential of rail service in our continuing efforts to provide a viable solution to the major traffic problems in Fairfield County. As we enhance the use of rail travel as an alternative to auto commuting we also stimulate future economic development in the region." |
