Published Story - Harkins and Dibecella meeting with CT DOT (Carpenter)
Patricia Sperling
RICHARD WEIZEL rwe...@ctpost.com
Connecticut Post Online
Article Last Updated:
STRATFORD - In an effort to jump-start construction of a long-delayed
640-space parking garage at the Stratford Railroad Station, two state
legislators are pressuring the state Department of Transportation to
move more quickly on the project.
DOT Commissioner Richard Carpenter, in response, told state Rep. John
Harkins and state Sen. Dan Debicella that he would try to "expedite
the process" of starting work on the garage before the projected
groundbreaking date of January 2011 - about three years beyond what
was originally planned.
"We were shocked when we learned of this two or three year delay,"
said Harkins, R-Stratford. "I never saw that coming, that's why we
sought this meeting with the commissioner. Commuters deserve to have a
parking garage built as soon as possible."
DOT Rail Administrator Eugene Colonese told commuters during a public
session at the Stratford Library last month that groundbreaking on the
four-story garage in Stratford Center would not be until until at
least 2010, with 2011 the more likely start date.
There are more than 1,200 people on a waiting list for a permit to
park at the station.
Harkins and Debicella, R-Shelton, whose district also encompasses most
of Stratford, met recently with Carpenter at DOT headquarters to
discuss the parking garage delay as well as efforts to expedite other
upgrades at the rail depot.
"The meeting focused on the slow progress of the construction of a new
commuter parking facility, the inadequate capacity of the garage, and
long-term solutions we are seeking to reduce the long waiting list for
parking spaces," Harkins said.
Harkins said they discussed long-awaited extensions of the platforms
and protective canopies at the train station, safety and security
issues, as well as the relocation of ticket machines to better service
commuters. The subject of graffiti was also addressed.
"As a member of the [General Assembly's] Transportation Committee, I
fully understand the pressing challenges we have in addressing
transportation needs throughout the state," Harkins said. "However,
the Stratford Train Station is in desperate need of improvement, and
it is a priority to ensure the improvements occur now instead of
later."
Debicella said he believes it was important to bring the train
station's problems and the parking garage delay to the attention of
the DOT commissioner.
"Expanding parking at Stratford is critical not just to folks who ride
the train, but is key to reducing traffic on I-95 and the Merritt
Parkway," he said. "This delay in opening the parking garage is
unacceptable." Commuters' vocal dissatisfaction on the progress and
status of the parking garage prompted Harkins and Debicella to seek
the meeting with Carpenter, they said.
Harkins and Debicella said Carpenter was apologetic for the lack of
progress and pledged his intervention to try to shorten the projects
time-frame.
Canopies will go out for bid design for inclusion as part of the
rehab, and platforms will extend to accommodate eight rail cars. Also,
the yellow barrels on West Broad Street will be removed, they said.
Monthly updates will now be provided by the DOT to state and local
officials on the status of the project. Harkins said he also supports
a proposal by commuters to establish some kind of task force to act as
a watchdog for the railroad station and the progress of building the
parking garage.