Stamford, CT— Connecticut Department of Transportation officials have announced that there will be nightly lane restrictions and a total closure of Washington Boulevard, where it passes under the railroad bridge at the train station, starting Monday night, July 7, 2003. The lane restrictions will begin at 8:00 PM and the total closure will begin at 11:00 PM each night, with the roadway reopened by 6:00 AM the following morning. The work is expected to last for one week, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, the work will continue the following week. The lane closures and restrictions are necessary to complete the final paving of Washington Boulevard, South State Street and Station Place.

The paving work will also impact South State Street between Greenwich Avenue and Washington Boulevard during the same hours (lane closures at 8:00 PM and road closures at 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM) and affect the west end of Station Place and portions of Washington Boulevard between North State Street and South State Street. During these closures, motorists should follow posted alternate routes to bypass the closed roadways. Alternate routes will be as follows:

· On Washington Blvd. southbound, turn left on South State Street, then right on Atlantic Street, then right onto Henry Street to return to Washington Blvd. south of the closure. To reach the train station and other Station Place facilities, follow the alternate route onto Atlantic Street, then turn right onto Station Place. During portions of the work, the closure will be extended north to North State Street, so traffic will be directed to Tresser Blvd. toward Atlantic Street to continue southbound.
· On Washington Blvd. northbound, turn right onto Henry Street, then left onto Atlantic Street, then left onto North State Street to return to Washington Blvd. north of the closure. To reach the train station and other Station Place facilities, turn left from Atlantic Street onto Station Place.
· South State Street traffic will be detoured north onto Greenwich Avenue to either Richmond Hill Avenue or Tresser Blvd. to get back to Washington Blvd. northbound. Traffic will be directed south on Greenwich Avenue to a left on Pulaski Street to get back to Washington Blvd. southbound.

The pedestrian walkway on Washington Boulevard will be open during this work. Pedestrians will also be able to cross the railroad using the train station concourse or Atlantic Street to the east of the station. Traffic control personnel will be directing traffic and pedestrians during the construction operations. Access to Metro Center, and the Metro Center and Train Station parking garages will be available from the Atlantic Street end of Station Place.

For more information on this project or other Connecticut Department of Transportation construction projects in Fairfield County, visit (www.metropool.com) or call MetroPool at
(203) 388-4409. Outside the local Stamford calling area call (1-800-346-3743).

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