Construction began last week to create two-way platforms at the Branford commuter railroad station, the first major activity in a long-awaited project to expand the town’s busy railroad.
The two separate tracks, serving southbound and northbound Shore Line East commuter trains, will allow for additional commuter trains.
Town Engineer Janice Plaziak told the Eagle Friday that new high-level platforms, to be connected by bridge and elevator from one side to the other, is expected to be up and running “by the spring of 2015.” The railroad will be similar to the one in Guilford, she said. The elevator is required in order for a public transportation system to comply with the American with Disabilities Act.
For the past year, Plaziak said, workers have been constructing a foundation for the north side of the track. To get to the point where expansion was feasible, the state had to obtain nearby properties and then receive required approvals and permits for the project.
Marcia Chambers Photo
The $25 million project, funded entirely by the State Department of Transportation (DOT), includes the new north side rail platform, a new pedestrian bridge (pictured) and a new parking lot with 300 new parking spaces, now in service. The second northbound platform will allow additional commuter trains on a route that commuters may use from New York City to New Haven to Branford and beyond.
On June 1, 2013, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced that weekend service would begin for shoreline stops linking New Haven to Old Saybrook to New London, with stops in between.
With Permission
A section of the parking lot near the station has been cordoned off so that DOT crews may work on the new construction, which includes a pedestrian bridge that will be enclosed and used by commuters to go over the rail line from the north to the south side and vice-versa. Here is a photo of the bridge at the Guilford station.
In addition to the new parking lot, the old rail station parking lot across Kirkham Street will be repaved to provide an additional 52 parking spaces. Access to the railroad station will be provided for pedestrians via walkways, a stairwell and a cross-walk at Kirkham Street.
Parking at the railroad station is free.
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