WESTBROOK - Those departing the Shoreline East train in Westbrook see an electronic sign welcoming them to town, a small bus shelter sitting on a small wooden platform only a few feet away, an aesthetically unpleasing town maintenance garage, and cars forced to park in the grass because of lack of parking spaces.
Keith Hall, who works for the DOT Division of Environmental Planning, said design plans for the new $7 million railroad station would make it identical to the Branford railroad station.
"Based on experience from the Branford project, construction should take about a year," Hall said.
Hall predicts commuters will still be able to use the Westbrook stop during construction but they may be required to park on the north side of the tracks and take a shuttle or walk across the tracks to the south side.
A new railroad station is important for the economic development of Westbrook, Representative Marilyn Giuliano, R-23rd, said, explaining that a new station "would be a big boom for Westbrook and all (Westbrook) Chamber of Commerce members are in favor of it."
Those arriving at the Branford station on Maple Street see a much different view than those arriving at Westbrook.
Branford commuters waiting for the train can park their vehicle in a free 199-space parking lot with tall antique-style lights leading up to a gray vinyl and brick façade station.
In front of the station are a bike rack and a convenient commuter drop off area.
"The Branford station provides a safe and convenient location for commuters to park and board trains on a level access," Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Stephen Korta said.
"With the other platforms either in use or under construction along Shore Line East," Korta said, "these new stations should further expedite the loading of passengers, and in turn will improve and enhance the on-time service and safety for all."
A skylight cupola is on the top of the small railroad station which offers gray benches in a sheltered area near glass walls, garbage receptacles, and a posted train schedule.
The station is ADA compliant with handicap parking and a handicap ramp going from the parking lot to the high-level platform allowing for level boarding.
The ramp is located near a row of newspaper boxes including USA Today, New Haven Register, and the New Haven Advocate.
A roof is extended westward past the building offering commuters a place to wait along the tracks in glass bay areas and an area without a roof for those looking to catch some sun while waiting for the train.
According to the DOT, the station was built to allow for future expansion of up and over facilities.
It is possible such expansion could provide parking on the north side of the tracks or allow patrons to board a train on the northbound Amtrak train line.
"This is a new day for Connecticut commuters using the Shore Line East service. It represents the state's continued commitment to provide first-class, on-time service to our residents whether traveling for business or pleasure," Governor M. Jodi Rell, said when the new Branford station opened on August 8, 2005.
"Rebuilding Connecticut's rail and public transportation system is one of my top priorities," Rell explained, "with the passage of the $1.3 billion transportation improvement program in June; Connecticut commuters will continue to see the results of the state's effort to improve rail service in the coming years."
Hall believes the award of the contract will occur in the next two months but a more critical part of the project is to get permission from Amtrak to build the station.
Before the station can be build, a pending land swap must be approved by Westbrook and a state salt storage facility must be constructed, Hall said.
The Regional Transportation Improvement Program lists the Westbrook Railroad Station as a project costing $7 million with $5.6 million in federal funds and the state paying $1.4 million, in addition to a $1.5 million grant to Westbrook.
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