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Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the newly constructed Madison Train Station will open to commuters beginning Monday, July 28. The $6 million station replaced an older platform deck and is part of Governor Rell’s comprehensive Transportation Initiative to rebuild, replace and improve rail transportation in Connecticut. “Improving the rail and public transportation system in Connecticut will help us get more cars off our crowded highways and interstates,” Governor Rell said. “Record-high gas prices are making motorists in Connecticut and across the nation re-think their driving habits. These are changing times and we need to change with them. So we must modernize our mass transit for the sake of our economy, our commuters and our environment.” The Madison station is the fourth new train station to open on the Shore Line East and is part a $25 million effort by the Department of Transportation to improve and enhance safety and operations on Shore Line East line. New stations were opened in 2005 at Branford, Guilford and Clinton. A new Westbrook station is currently under design. The Madison station offers improved safety and access features such as handicapped accessibility and a new high-level platform for level boarding. Other features include a commuter shelter, convenient commuter drop off area, bicycle racks and enhanced lighting. A total of 199 free paved parking spaces will be available, an increase of 35 from the current parking lot. Shore Line East trains are owned and operated by ConnDOT, under contract with Amtrak, to provide daily rail operations. SLE commuter operations began in 1990, serving seven stations along the 33-mile segment of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between New Haven and Old Saybrook. The service was extended to New London in 1996. SLE provides more than 2,100 passenger trips each day, with nearly 484,000 trips in 2007. “With year-round weekend service recently initiated and the other new stations we have opened, Connecticut commuters will continue to see the results of our efforts to improve rail in the state,” the Governor said. “Increasing ridership numbers demonstrate that commuters are responding to the improved service and amenities provided by our investments in Connecticut’s commuter rail system.” © Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: State Health Department encourages residents to “be prepared” - Sep 6, 2008 - 11:04:26 AM Members of Connecticut Disaster Medical Assistance Team deployed in preparation for hurricane Ike - Sep 5, 2008 - 7:16:50 PM Norwalk Hospital to hold lecture series at The Greens in Wilton - Sep 3, 2008 - 7:34:10 AM Dr. Jonathan Bernie to discuss prostate cancer treatments: September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - Sep 2, 2008 - 3:49:17 PM York's big inning buries Bluefish - Sep 1, 2008 - 11:21:40 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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