Latest Train Station Delay Dubbed ​‘Embarrassing’

The delay in completion of a two-way Branford Train Station, now five years or two years beyond deadline depending on how you count, continues. And Department of Transportation Chief Inspector Mark Fullerton is not happy.

Fullerton learned last week of the latest delay in the two-way project, which was first announced in August 2008, with an expected June 2011 completion at that time. Then came years of delay before shovels hit the ground. 

Construction finally started on the long-awaited project in May 1, 2013, with a completion date of Oct. 25, 2014. A tough winter, a problem in obtaining elevator parts and the TAMS system installation, along with the inspection and building code processes also delayed completion.

Fullerton said last week that that the new Train Approach Messaging System (TAMS), which was supposed to be installed as a final component of the station, was not ordered by the sub-contractor IDS of Dayton, Ohio, until July 1 and may not be available for another 90 days. He said some of the sections take longer than others to order, but described 90 days as the ​“worst case.” He was quick to say that Rizzo, the general contractor, was not at fault.

The expected opening of the northbound access to the station was July 15.

In contrast, the Stony Creek Brewery, a large building across the way from the railroad station which contains a complex mechanical system required for the brewing process, was completed in just 10 months after four years of planning.

TAMS System

The new TAMS is a verbal and visual communication system that is an Amtrak requirement; the old and new TAMS were not compatible.

Fullerton explained that he was getting ​“itchy” about the installation and learned of the delay when he contacted the company. He said he has a chain of emails documenting that the materials should have been ordered.

“It blows us away. I‘m embarrassed,” he said. He said emails were exchanged documenting ​“time and materials” and that the materials would be onsite by now. Since IDS is the only supplier of the equipment, he said, they’re dependent on using them. However, Fullerton said, ​“IDS doesn’t care.”

The project is now more than 700 days past its original completion date and Fullerton said DOT is considering asking IDS for financial compensation for the delay. 

Inspection of the elevators – a delay in obtaining parts from Europe caused a previous hold up – has taken place and fencing on the retaining wall of north side of the tracks has been completed.

Now it’s up to IDS. Or it’s up to the state to impose sanctions on outside vendors. 

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