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FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Commuters at the Fairfield Center train station got more protection from the elements recently, and will have a safer walk to their trains in the near future.
The Fairfield center train station recently added canopies and lighting to the stairways above the train tracks, and will improve the safety of the stairs themselves this spring. A previous commuter survey had identified the stairs as the top problem area at the train station.
“This is an important project for the thousands of commuters who have to use these stairs in inclement weather,” First Selectman Michael Tetreau said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the canopies last week. “This project will go a long way in ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the year.”
The renovations were paid for by a $100,000 Small Towns Economic Assistance Program grant the town received from the state last year. The program gives money to municipalities for infrastructure improvements and similar projects.
“Fairfield sends a lot of money to the state in way of taxes,” State Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-Fairfield) said Friday. “It's nice to receive some back for this project through a grant.”
The Parking Authority will also spend $62,000 this spring to repair and resurface the stairs heading over the train tracks at the Fairfield Center station. The work will begin when weather is warm enough, Parking Authority Chair Ron Pine said.
The Parking Authority also has plans to resurface the patio area near the station, as well as the stairs and ramps leading up to the platform. The repair work will not come from Fairfield’s local tax funds, as the Fairfield Parking Authority manages its own finances using the station’s parking fees.
Fairfield Daily Voice readers were already looking forward to another round of changes. One reader renewed calls for a restroom at the Fairfield Metro station, though that location is managed by the state and not the Fairfield Parking Authority. Other readers asked for policy changes at the station or other minor improvements.
“It's very hard to see the screen on the ticket machines at the Fairfield Metro station on a sunny day,” Alexis Kiss wrote on the Fairfield Daily Voice Facebook page.
Comments (2)
I am grateful to not have to deal with the parking mess at the Fairfield center station any longer. What a cluster........... day parking in the lot; forget about it cause its filled up before us normal 9-5's even think about getting to the station. Same for KoC which is you weren't there by 745 at the latest you can forget about getting a spot. Usually you are left to have to park on Round Hill under the overpass or on the adjacent side street and then walk the 1/2 mile to the train station. All this is extra "fun" in the dark and bad weather. The wait list is ridiculous. People have been on there for years............... I know for a fact people hold onto these permits even when they don't need them any longer. Its ugliness, there are so many folks that use the train station and I agree Fairfield deserves better, especially a town with so much money, come on town...
Having a train station in the heart of town is wonderful! It is really appreciated that the walkway is now covered. But the REAL issue at this train station is parking. Our family has been on the waiting list for one train parking permit for 4 1/2 years, and I'm certain others have been waiting longer than our family. This is not a 'new' problem, it just never seems to be mentioned when talking about the trains and commuting. The town needs to solve this problem. People are forced to park on and walk in the street in the dark to and from their cars to get to the train. And the solution is not for us to drive across town to the Fairfield Metro Station.
Surely Fairfield can do better than this...