Gov. Malloy tours Meriden station; outlines long-term transportation infrastructure vision

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Meriden2020.com

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on Jan. 8 toured the Meriden train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) rail corridor, which is the site of an ongoing transit-oriented development (TOD) project with a primary focus on stimulating the area within a half-mile of the proposed new Meriden Intermodal Center.

In his State of the State address, Gov. Malloy outlined his long-term vision for investing in upgrading and modernizing Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure.

“This project will transform the 91 corridor with high-speed rail while revitalizing cities and towns between New Haven and Hartford,” said Gov. Malloy. “The citizens and business community in Meriden and its surroundings will benefit from our investments for years to come. This is a terrific partnership and I would like to thank the city and the Connecticut state agencies that are moving this project forward – Transportation, Economic and Community Development and Energy and Environmental Protection.”

In October 2011, the Malloy administration announced $5 million for local TOD projects, including approximately $850,000 to the city of Meriden for market analysis, financial planning, environmental benefit analyses and preparation for studies/surveys related to the NHHS rail line.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said, “The TOD project will foster economic development in the various towns and surrounding regions by supporting local projects that connect state residents to job opportunities, housing, cultural centers and more.”

The city of Meriden will capitalize on the increased transit connectivity anticipated to begin in late 2016, by taking a proactive approach to “re-visioning” its City Center, with a primary focus on the area within a half-mile of the proposed new Meriden Intermodal Center.

The project includes the Meriden Intermodal Center, a pedestrian link across the rail line from Colony Street to the HUB Park; a new mixed-use, multi-modal interface and parking structure.

The development at 24 Colony Street will revitalize the north-south commercial-retail corridor with strategic infill development and the preservation of historic buildings and connect to the new Meriden Intermodal Center.

The new NHHS service will be called the Hartford Line and increase the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak shuttles to a total of 17 trains including existing Amtrak trains plus 11 new commuter rail trains. Service is scheduled to start in late 2016.

All existing rail stations will be replaced and several new stations will be built. The expanded service and new stations are expected to generate more riders and provide opportunities for development around the stations.

 

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