SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS (1996 - 2002)
A message from the Governor
New Haven Commuter Rail Line - Service Reliability Improvements and Capacity-related Enhancements:
- Reconstruction of Tracks, Signals, Catenary System and Interlocking at the New Haven Station
- Replacement of the Wepawaug River Bridge in Milford
- Replacement of 4-Track Movable Bridge (Peck Bridge) in Bridgeport
- ADA Improvements and Rehabilitation of Bridgeport Station
- Replacement of 3 Electrical Substations in Darien, Stamford & Cos Cob
- Phase 1 Catenary System Replacement in Stamford and Greenwich
- Construction of Equipment Maintenance Shop and Reconfiguration of Storage Yard in Stamford
- Expansion of the Parking Garage at the Stamford Transportation Center
- Construction of 2 Center Island Platforms, Track Reconfiguration at the Stamford Station & Bridge Replacement
- Acquisition of 48 Additional Electric Multiple-unit Rail Cars for the New Haven Line
Planned or On-going Highway Improvements Along I-95 and Other State Roads:
A Message from the Governor: A Commitment to Safe, Efficient, Cost-Effective Transportation
The State of Connecticut is committed to providing its residents and businesses as well as other users of our transportation services and facilities with safe, efficient, and cost-effective passenger travel and delivery of goods. These are paramount priorities of this administration.
Safe and efficient highway and transit transportation, especially in the heavily-traveled Southwest Corridor of our state, are essential to Connecticut's economic and environmental well-being. We must constantly upgrade and modernize these systems in order to enhance Connecticut's reputation as an attractive state in which to live and do business. This requires that we prudently invest in our future and in our children's future. It is imperative that we maintain and improve these services and facilities. We must never return to those days that led to the deterioration in our transportation infrastructure and the tragic Mianus River Bridge collapse that occurred in 1983.
To carry out this commitment, the state Department of Transportation has underway or in the planning/design process an estimated $1.5 billion worth of improvement projects that will enhance travel in the Southwest Corridor. Approximately 40 percent of this amount is to be used for transit projects which will improve rail travel as an alternative to single-occupant vehicles on our highways.
We are concerned with the impact these improvements will have on the daily travel of our residents and businesses. The state Department of Transportation will continue to make concerted efforts to minimize the effect of the work, but we also feel it is important that we reach out and inform residents and businesses about the work in progress and plans for future projects.
This brochure is designed to provide you with a brief description of the projects and their time schedules. Following are highlights of the program for modernizing our highways, bridge and transit systems:
- a six-year, $360 million federal- and state-funded renovation program for Bridgeport's bridges which span I-95 between exits 25 and 29, beginning in 1996;
- a four-year, $100 million railroad improvement project in Stamford, the busiest railroad station in Connecticut;
- the construction of exit and entrance ramps on Route 7 in Norwalk to connect with Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) and the extension of Route 7 northward;
- ramp reconstruction at various interchanges along both I-95 and Route 15 in Norwalk, Westport/Weston, Fairfield and Trumbull to facilitate traffic flow and improve safety more efficiently;
- traffic signal improvements and the addition of left turn lanes to more than 400 intersections along Route 1 from Greenwich through Branford. These improvements are designed to expedite traffic on the Post Road as an alternative to use of I-95 by motorists.
Although I-95 was built to different standards than what exist today, and even with monetary, environmental and land use constraints, the expressway can be made safer and more efficient. That is the goal of transportation, public safety and administration officials. I urge you to keep this in mind the next time you drive through one of the highway construction zones.
I invite you to join in our effort to alleviate highway congestion and clean our air by using public transit or by ridesharing. For more information about the rails, contact Metro-North, toll-free, at 1-800-METRO-INFO. For potential rideshare matches in New Haven County, contact Rideworks, toll-free, at 1-800-ALL-RIDE; in Fairfield County, call MetroPool at 1-800-FIND-RIDE.
I wish you safe travels.
Sincerely,
John G. Rowland
New Haven Commuter Rail Line
Service Reliability Improvements & Capacity-Related
Enhancements
Reconfiguration of Tracks, Signals, Catenary System & Interlocking at the New Haven Station
- Final Design: Completed
- Est. Cost: $105 million
- Est. Completion: 2001
Provides improved Metro-North commuter operations and express train movement for Northeast Corridor operations.
Replacement of the Wepawaug River Bridge in Milford
- Final Design: Completed
- Est. Cost: $7 million
- Est. Completion: 1999
Replacement of a deteriorated steel deck, including provisions for a future fourth track to allow expanded service in the years ahead.
Replacement of 4-Track Movable Bridge ("Peck Bridge") in Bridgeport
- Under Construction & Ahead of Schedule in 1996
- Est. Cost: $140 million
- Est. Completion: Winter 1998
This project will maintain the current four-track capacity which provides operational flexibility for New Haven Line interstate and intrastate service and for Amtrak's conventional and proposed high-speed service.
ada Improvements & Rehabilitation of Bridgeport station
- ADA Under Construction
- ADA Est. Cost: $1.6 million
- ADA Est. Completion: Fall-Winter 1996
- Est. Rehab. Design Completion: Mid-1996
- Est. Rehab. Const. Cost: $3 million
- Est. Rehab. Const. Completion: 1998
These improvements will bring the station into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will enhance passenger comfort, accessibility and security.
Replacement of 3 Electrical Substations in Darien, Stamford & Cos Cob
- Under Construction in 1996
- Est. Cost: $13 million
- Est. Completion: 1998
This action will maintain the reliability of the electric power delivery system which will improve service reliability.
Phase 1 Catenary System Replacement in Stamford & Greenwich
- Being Designed in 1996
- Est. Cost: $6 million (design)
- Est. Cost: $30 million (construction)
- Est. Completion: 2002
This will improve the reliability of the electric power delivery system.
Construction of Equipment Maintenance Shop & Reconfiguration of Storage Yard in Stamford
- Under Construction in 1996
- Est. Cost: $45 million
- Est. Completion: 1996
This will improve the efficiency of equipment maintenance and overnight storage, improving service reliability.
Expansion of the Parking Garage at the Stamford transportation center
- Final Design: 1997
- Est. Cost: $16 million
- Est. Completion: 2000
This expansion will provide additional parking for rail passengers to increase usage of Metro-North and Amtrak trains.
Construction of 2 Center Island Platforms, track reconfiguration at the Stamford Station & BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
- Final Design: 1996
- Est. Cost: $100 million
- Est. Completion: 2001
This will double the station`s platform capacity, allowing four through trains, instead of only two, to simultaneously board/deboard passengers. This also will provide the flexibility to add additional rail services (commuter intrastate, commuter interstate, future Amtrak high speed, improved Amtrak conventional). Replacement of the railroad bridge over Washington Boulevard will improve traffic flow.
Acquisition of 48 Additional Electric Multiple-Unit Rail CARS FOR the New Haven Line
- Undergoing Final Construction Modification
- Est. Cost: $122 million
- Est. Completion: 1996
Final triplet to be in service in the spring of 1996. With these cars, the current electric fleet will handle projected needs through 2005. In January of 1996, 42 of these cars (+/-115 seats per car) were available for service.
GREATER BRIDGEPORT REGION
Trumbull/Stratford/Shelton
_ Route 8 resurfacing and bridge and safety improvements
from Route 127 in Trumbull to Long Hill Avenue in Shelton
Est. Cost: $11.6 million
Est. Completion: 1999
*Bridgeport/Trumbull
_ Routes 8 and 25 resurfacing and bridge and safety
improvements from Capitol Avenue in Bridgeport to Route
127 in Trumbull
Est. Cost: $8 million
Est. Completion: 1998
*Stratford
_ I-95 reconstruction of the median and expansion of the
shoulders
Est. Cost: $11 million
Est. Completion: 1998
Bridgeport/Stratford
_ Reconstruction of the I-95 median and expansion of the
shoulders
Est. Cost: $5 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Bridgeport
_ Widen Seaview Avenue to four lanes
Est. Cost: $5 million
Est. Completion: 1999
*Bridgeport
_ Stratford Avenue (Route 130) bridge replacement over
the Yellow Mill Channel (exit 29)
Est. Cost: $16.3 million
Est. Completion: 1998
Bridgeport
_ I-95 reconstruction at the Routes 8 and 25 Interchange
and addition of an operational lane between exits 25 - 29
Est. Cost: $348.6 million
Est. Completion: 2002
*Bridgeport
_ Replacement of the East Washington Avenue bridge over
the Pequonnock River
Est. Cost: $15 million
Est. Completion: 1998
Fairfield
_ Reconstruction of the I-95 Interchange at U.S. Route 1
and exit 24
Est. Cost: $26 million
Est. Completion: 2000
*Fairfield
_ Reconstruction of the median on I-95 and expansion of
the shoulders
Est. Cost: $18 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Denotes ongoing projects or those expected to begin in 1996; unless noted, projects will begin after 1996.
SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT
*Westport
_ Reconstruction of the bridge carrying I-95 over the
Saugatuck River
Est. Cost: $29 million
Est. Completion: 1996
*Westport
_ I-95 reconstruction of the median and expansion of the
shoulders
Est. Cost: $8 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Westport/Weston
_ Local bridge replacements along Route 57 over the
Aspetuck and Saugatuck Rivers
Est. Cost: $2.8 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Wilton
_ Major roadway widening of Route 7 between Wolf Pit Road
and Route 33
Est. Cost: $10.5 million
Est. Completion: 2000
Wilton
_ Reconstruction of Route 7 between Danbury and Olmstead
Hill Roads
Est. Cost: $8 million
Est. Completion: 2000
*Wilton
_ Replacement of two local bridges, Wolf Pit Road over
the Norwalk River and Wolf Pit Road over Metro-North
Est. Cost: $4.2 million
Est. Completion: 1997
Norwalk
_ Construction of turn lanes at the ramp at exit 16
Est. Cost: $5 million
Est. Completion: 1999
Norwalk
_ Revise access at Route 1 and I-95 by exit 14
Est. Cost: $10 million
Est. Completion: 2000
*Stamford/Darien
_ Add a southbound operational lane between exits 8 and
10
Est. Cost: $39 million
Est. Completion: 1998
*Darien
_ I-95 reconstruction of the median and expansion of the
shoulders
Est. Cost: $24 million
Est. Completion: 1999
Greenwich
_ Replacement of the bridge carrying I-95 over
Metro-North at the Cos Cob Railroad Station
Est. Cost: $12 million
Est. Completion: 1999
*Greenwich
_ Resurfacig on I-95 from the NY state line to exit 3,
and bridge deck replacement
Est. Cost: $18 million
Est. Completion: 1996
Greenwich
to New Haven _ More than 400 intersections are being
redesigned and computerized to handle traffic flow on
Route 1 and on exit ramps from I-95; also, left turn
lanes are being designed and constructed to expedite
traffic flow
Est. Cost: $12 million
Est. Duration: 1996-2000 (Various start dates)
I-95
Incident Management System _ Monitors traffic operations
along 56 miles of I-95 twenty-four hours a day, seven
days a week
Est. Cost: $26 million
Est. Completion: Operational
*Denotes ongoing projects or those expected to begin in 1996; unless noted, projects will begin after 1996.
Route 15 (Merritt Parkway)
Milford/Stratford
_ Bridge restoration over the Housatonic River (known as
the "Sikorsky Bridge")
Est. Cost: $96 million
Est. Completion: 2000
*Stratford
_ Bridge restoration on Route 15 over Route 110
Est. Cost: $3.9 million
Est. Completion: 1998
Trumbull
_ Replacement of the Routes 15 and 111 Interchange
Est. Cost: $9.1 million
Est. Completion: 2000
Fairfield/Stratford/Trumbull
_ Resurfacing, safety and bridge improvements from
Morehouse Highway to the Housatonic River
Est. Cost: $16.3 million
Est. Completion: 1999
*Fairfield
_ Reconstruction of exit 45
Est. Cost: $4.6 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Westport/Fairfield
_ Resurfacing of the southbound side of Route 15, safety
and bridge improvements between Route 33 (exit 41) and
the Congress Street overpass.
Est. Cost: $2.5 million
Est. Completion: 1999
Norwalk
_ Upgrade of Routes 7 and 15 to full interchange with the
Merritt Parkway
Est. Cost: $60 million
Est. Completion: 2000
Stamford
_ Revise the interchange ramps on Route 15 at Route 104
(exit 34)
Est. Cost: $5.1 million
Est. Completion: 2001
*Greenwich
_ Bridge restoration over the west branch of the Byram
River
Est. Cost: $1.6 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Greenwich
_ Resurfacing, safety and aesthetic improvements from the
New York state line to the vicinity of the west branch of
the Byram River
Est. Cost: $3.9 million
Est. Completion: 1997
*Denotes ongoing projects or those expected to begin in 1996; unless noted, projects will begin after 1996.