Local
A public meeting concerns a new Intermodal Transportation Center
By Mayor's office
Jul 16, 2008 - 8:48:08 AM

NORWALK — The Norwalk Transit District will hold a public meeting on July 22 to receive input from the community on a new Intermodal Transportation Center planned for the South Norwalk Rail Station.

The meeting will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Norwalk City Hall, located at 125 East Avenue, and will include a presentation of cost-effective alternatives for the fully-integrated Center.

The alternatives, which may be modified based on public input and further study, were developed by the Transit District, with support from the City of Norwalk, to address basic parking, circulation and access issues for people, cars, taxis, shuttles, and buses). They include:

* Option A - Provides dedicated bus and shuttle bays, and one-way traffic flow through the site

* Option B - Explores the impact of moving the passenger drop-off area closer to the rail station, while retaining some features of Option A.

* Option C - Explores modifying the natural site grades to create separate levels for buses and cars

Wendel Duchscherer Architects & Engineers, P.C. developed the alternatives as part of an ongoing, eight-month study of existing conditions at the South Norwalk Rail Station and its immediate environs. The firm identified several options to upgrade the existing rail facilities and better integrate other forms of transportation, including improvements to bus, bicycle, and pedestrian connections in and around the station.

The study has been guided by a Study Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the City of Norwalk’s Departments of Planning, Public Works and Finance; Norwalk Transit District; Norwalk Redevelopment Authority; Norwalk Housing Authority; Second Taxing District; and South Western Regional Planning Agency.

Area residents, businesses, community associations, and commuters were also asked to identify needs and share ideas for station improvements at five meetings in June. This information, as well as a study of traffic, environmental, and economic conditions, were likewise instrumental in the development of the alternatives.

“We have been very pleased with the broad public input collected in the public outreach process to date,” said Louis Schulman, Administrator of Norwalk Transit District. “Now we are working to narrow down the list of alternatives to identify those which offer optimal improvement of facilities at the train station and improve transportation choices for city residents by creating linkages between all the ways people travel – by auto, city bus, rail, bicycle and walking.”

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