CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: February 4, 2016

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

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(OLD SAYBROOK, CT) – Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman today joined Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker and other state and local officials in a ceremony and ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of the train station expansion in Old Saybrook. The project included the addition of 200 parking spaces, a bus depot to better network the station to public transit, new sidewalks for pedestrians, and other improvements.  The upgrades are part of the state’s overall effort to expand and modernize public transportation.

“Investments in our transportation network are key to Connecticut’s future competitiveness,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “This project speaks to our overall commitment to improving transportation—and further strengthening economic growth. Our commitment to rail, bus, and roads is significant and important, but connecting these modalities for passengers is critical to a modernizing the system.” 

“An efficient, reliable transportation system is the backbone of our state,” said Commissioner Redeker. “This project reminds us that each city and town has a role to play—adding parking spots here in Old Saybrook means fewer cars on I-95 and travel becomes a little easier for everyone. It’s part of a bigger strategy to ease gridlock and improve travel and commerce.”

Old Saybrook is one of nine stations on Shore Line East, the 67-mile-long commuter rail line between New Haven and New London that carries about 600,000 passengers every year. The $2.5 million project brought the total number of parking spaces to 324 and included drainage and landscaping to handle storm water runoff, as well as new fencing. An ADA-accessible ramp will be completed this year.

The expansion is one of two underway on Shore Line East. CTDOT is currently adding parking at the Branford station, which will bring the total number of spaces there to 525. 

The line is owned and operated by Amtrak. Other stations are in New Haven, Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and New London.