Study Shows Rail UpgradeCould Cost $11 Million
Study Shows Rail Upgrade
Could Cost $11 Million
HARTFORD (AP) ââ It could cost more than $11 million to upgrade rail stations along the Metro North commuter line, according to a preliminary study released this week.
Much of the expense would be for parking area improvements, such as paving lots and better lighting. Some platforms and stations also need to be upgraded, according to the latest phase of the Connecticut Rail Station Governance Study.
The 18-month evaluation of the stateâs Metro North commuter rail service is being conducted for the Department of Transportation by outside consultants. The state Transportation Strategy Board, which oversees transportation policy, learned about the report on Tuesday.
Board Chairman R. Nelson âOzâ Griebel said his group is looking at the issue, hoping to improve service and make commuter rail an attractive option for people who normally drive their cars to work.
âFor a customer to look favorably to mass transit, the whole package has to be there,â he said.
The preliminary study found the quality of stations is inconsistent. Some are leased and some are owned by the state. Others are run by the local municipalities. Everything from the maintenance to parking rates can be different from station to station.
âSome stations get more attention than others,â said H. James Boice, DOTâs bureau chief of policy and planning. âIt keeps coming back to the same theme: inconsistency.â
The consultants likely hold public meetings on the first phase of the study sometime in September or October, Mr Boice said. The $900,000 examination will likely be completed by winter of 2004.