Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich), a member of the State Bond Commission, today voted for the Bond Commission’s authorization of bond funding to study the needs of the New Canaan branch line of Metro North railroad.  The authorization is part of a $2,750,000 bond authorization which includes a study of both the New Canaan and Waterbury branch lines.
           
The purpose of the study is to make recommendations as to improvements which may be needed to upgrade the service over the next 20 years.  This will include examining:

• Scheduling
• Work on trains
• Track conditions
• Station parking needs
• Talmadge Hill Station improvements

The study will be done on close consultation with the Town of New Canaan and will include public hearings, rider surveys, and surveys of non-riders as to how to attach them.
     
An outside consultant will be engaged this summer and then report will be ready in about two years.

Nickerson said, “I am delighted that the Department of Transportation is showing renewed interest in improving service on the New Canaan line.  Improvement of this service is a key component of the overall need to reorient the Department’s transportation strategy by giving greater emphasis to transit and thus address the continuing unsustainable glut on I-95 and the Merritt Parkway.”