2. Notice of Scoping for the Reconstruction of Atlantic Street, and Metro North Railroad (MNRR) Bridge Replacement

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Stamford, CT

Address of Possible Project Location: Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT

Project Description: Atlantic Street is currently an undivided road with one lane of traffic in each direction under the MNRR Bridge.  Sidewalks approximately 8 feet wide are provided on both sides of the road and are separated from the roadway by the bridge piers.  Atlantic Street widens just north of its intersection with South State Street and the I-95 Northbound Exit 8 ramp to five total lanes, three southbound and two northbound.  With the recent construction of the Stamford Urban Transitway (SUT), Atlantic Street widens just south of the MNRR Bridge to six total lanes, four southbound and two northbound.

The Atlantic Street underpass, located approximately 900 feet east of the Stamford Transportation Center, was originally constructed in 1896 and consists of riveted steel thru-girders supported by brownstone masonry abutments and steel pier bents. The bridge presently carries five MNRR tracks over Atlantic Street.  The bridge serves as a gateway between the Stamford Central Business District (CBD) and areas south of the rail corridor.  The underpass is adjacent to Station Place, which is the main access to the station and the location of the main parking garage.  Atlantic Street therefore provides significant access between I-95, the station, the CBD and to south Stamford.  This structure is classified as functionally obsolete due to the narrow underpass width as well as the existing minimum vertical clearance of 12’-4” which restricts the use of Atlantic Street by larger vehicles, including those operated by emergency service providers.  As is typical for structures of its age, the bridge’s structural components have deteriorated and require regular maintenance to ensure its operational sufficiency.

The purpose of this project is to improve the horizontal and vertical geometry for Atlantic Street at the bridge, to increase the roadway capacity by providing additional travel lanes on Atlantic Street, and to improve pedestrian circulation in the vicinity of the Transportation Center to the extent possible.  It was also determined that the project should include provisions for an additional track for the railroad, as well as a platform to service this track.  The resulting layout accommodates these needs.

The new bridge will consist of concrete-encased steel girders supported by new concrete abutments with a new center pier.  The proposed increases in overall span length and cross-sectional width of the new structure will require the reconstruction of the existing railroad retaining walls along South State Street.  Concrete form liners or other means will be used to recreate the aesthetic elements of the existing structures.  At the request of the City of Stamford, the brownstone which comprises the existing bridge abutments and portions of the retaining walls will be salvaged and turned over to the City for reuse.

The proposed roadway cross-section of Atlantic Street under MNRR as coordinated between the Department and the City of Stamford will consist of three 11-foot lanes in each direction with 2-foot outside shoulders.  A right-turn only lane will be provided in the northbound direction onto South State Street.  An approximately 6-foot wide median will be provided to accommodate the bridge pier which will divide each direction of traffic on Atlantic Street.  An 8-foot wide sidewalk will be provided on both sides of Atlantic Street.

The proposed vertical alignment on Atlantic Street will accommodate the required depth of the bridge structure and provide a 14.5’ minimum vertical clearance, which meets functional standards.  This alignment will require the lowering of Atlantic Street by approximately 3.7 feet at the maximum.  The limits of the proposed roadway reconstruction and lowering are between North State Street and Dock Street/SUT.  Extensive utility relocations and modifications are required in order to accommodate the revised bridge structure and the changed profile of Atlantic Street.

The lowering of Atlantic Street will also impact the intersections of Atlantic Street and the I-95 NB Exit 8 ramp, and Atlantic Street and Manhattan Street.

Because the existing Exit 8 ramp is already quite steep, it cannot remain in its current configuration with the proposed lowering of Atlantic Street.  As a result, it is proposed to construct a new bridge to carry the ramp over Atlantic Street and establish a new touchdown on South State Street between the Atlantic Street and Canal Street intersections.  A new signalized intersection will be created at the touchdown.

Manhattan Street will be lowered at the Atlantic Street intersection and then rise to meet the existing grade at a point approximately 100 feet from Atlantic Street.  This will require some regrading of Manhattan Street and its sidewalks, but there no private property impacts are anticipated as resulting from this work.

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, December 6, 2013

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

Written comments should be sent to:

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact: