CONNECTICIUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: January 30, 2009

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

State Continues Work on New Haven Line Rail Bridges and Catenary Replacement in Fairfield County

Road Closure on Monroe Street in South Norwalk at Metro-North RR Bridge to Begin on or About Friday Night, January 30, 2009

The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced a road closure on Monroe Street in South Norwalk, under the Metro-North Railroad Bridge, beginning this evening, Friday, January 20 through Saturday morning.  This work is part of the state’s overall effort to upgrade and improve rail infrastructure on the New Haven Line.

The closure will occur between the Railroad Station Driveway and State Street, to erect the new steel for a portion of the new railroad bridge, as follows:

• Nighttime closure – scheduled on or about Friday Night, January 30 from 8:00PM through Saturday morning, January 31 at 6:00AM
• Daytime closures – begin on or about Monday, February 2 through    Friday, February 6

The roadway will be closed to through traffic from 7:00AM to 4:00PM each day. The work is scheduled, in order to set the new bridge steel for Track 1.  Commuters will need to follow the posted detour signs.  During this time, local traffic will be permitted to access the railroad facilities, parking garage and residences, but no traffic will be allowed to pass below the bridge.

Pedestrian traffic below the bridge will be maintained at all times.   Traffic control personnel will be on site directing motorists and pedestrians during the construction operations.  Please allow for extra time to reach the train station and board your train.

The work being performed is part of the state’s effort to upgrade rail infrastructure and replace catenary and rail bridges from New York Line to New Haven.  The state has completed work between New York Line to Stamford.  The Catenary Section B project is on-going and extends from Stamford to Norwalk.  

“This project is part of the State’s continued priority to expand and improve public transportation systems statewide and improve rail service in the entire region.  We understand the inconvenience these closures bring to our customers accessing the train station, and have scheduled the work to have the least impact to our customers.  The Department appreciates the patience afforded to us, as we rebuild and replace rail bridges and upgrade catenary along the New Haven Line.,” said Eugene J. Colonese, Rail Administrator.  “We look forward to continued progress being made in the future.”