DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY AND PUBLIC HEARING

OF THE DRAFT EIE

FOR THE BRANFORD SHORE LINE EAST RAILROAD STATION

BRANFORD, CT ANNOUNCED

NEWINGTON, Conn. - State Transportation Commissioner Joseph F. Marie announced the availability of the Draft Connecticut Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for the Branford Shore Line East (SLE) Railroad Station and Parking Expansion, Branford, CT (State Project Nos. 310-0047 and 310-0048).  This EIE was prepared pursuant to the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Sections 22a-1a-1 to 12, inclusive.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) proposes infrastructure improvements to the Branford SLE Station including a new north-side high level rail platform, a new pedestrian bridge connecting the north-side and south-side platforms via stairs and elevators, and  expanded surface parking for rail commuters.  The project is intended to provide a full-service dual-platform commuter rail station and to provide expanded parking to accommodate future commuters with increasing SLE ridership.

The document is available to the public for inspection at the following locations:

          Branford Town Clerk’s Office  James Blackstone Memorial Library

          1019 Main Street                                758 Main Street

          Branford, CT 06405                             Branford, CT 06405

          Connecticut Department of Transportation

          2800 Berlin Turnpike

          Room 2155

          Newington, CT 06131

South Central Regional Council of Governments

         127 Washington Avenue – 4^th Floor-West

          North Haven, CT 06473-1715

A public hearing on this document and the current design plans is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at the James Blackstone Memorial Library.  Written comments on the document may be submitted on or before August 21, 2008 to:

                                    Edgar T. Hurle, Director

                                    Office of Intermodal and Environmental Planning

                                    Connecticut Department of Transportation

                                    2800 Berlin Turnpike

                                    Newington, CT 06131-7549