4. Notice of Scoping for New Commuter Railroad Station - Barnum Avenue

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Bridgeport

Address of Possible Project Location: Barnum Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Pembroke Street

Project Description: The proposed project consists of constructing a new commuter rail station on the New Haven Line of Metro North Railroad.  The proposed project will include two center-island platforms to provide the flexibility to serve both local and express trains, reconstructing track to accommodate these platforms, cross-track passenger access, widening of the retained railroad embankment, catenary structure relocation, a surface parking lot, and associated landscaping.  The proposed project site is currently vacant, and was previously occupied by structures associated with the Remington Arms Facility.   The proposed station would require expanding the railroad right-of-way (ROW) to accommodate the passenger platforms and would require permanently closing or relocating Crescent Avenue between Hallett Street and Waterview Avenue, and potentially to Seaview Avenue.  The vacant site north of the ROW would serve as the surface parking lot.   It is also possible that some type of small facility may be constructed to serve multiple purposes including a waiting area for passengers.  It is proposed that vehicles would access the station from Barnum avenue; pedestrian and cyclists access routes to the station will consider ease of access, surrounding land use, and future development in the vicinity. 

Currently, East Bridgeport suffers from a lack of convenient rail service, needed to sustain existing businesses and meet the areas future transportation demands.  Due in large part to planning and financing efforts of the City of Bridgeport, significant development projects are underway or planned in East Bridgeport.  The proposed station will support this growth.  

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) is currently in coordination with the CT State Historic Preservation Office, which has determined that proposed project site contains above ground historic resources.  The New Haven Line track and associated infrastructure is considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  The Department anticipates that the demolition of the retaining walls and associated track infrastructure will constitute an adverse effect.  Mitigation measures will be developed as the proposed project progresses. 

Project Maps:  Click here to view maps of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Friday September 2, 2016

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.  Such requests must be made by Friday August 12, 2016.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to

If you have questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation's (CTDOT) Environmental Classification Document requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for projects involving the construction of a new rail facility.  CTDOT expects to release an EIE for this project for public review and comment in 2017.