Lamont and Himes Visit Stamford to Celebrate Milestone in Transportation Center Improvements
New parking garage will provide much-needed access for commuters and visitors
STAMFORD — Historically, commuting at the Stewart B. McKinney Transportation Center, usually referred to as the Stamford Transportation Center, has not always been the easiest experience, in part due to the lack of parking options. Now, thanks to the leadership of Governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Jim Himes (D, CT-04), Mayor Caroline Simmons, and other stakeholders, things are about to change for the better.
On Monday, February 26, Lamont, Himes, and Simmons were joined by local and state officials, community members, and project workers to celebrate the opening of the parking garage which features 914 parking spaces.
“This is a long time in the making and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be standing here today,” said Simmons during the event (watch here) celebrating the new Stamford Transportation Center parking garage. “It’s a critical investment in this transportation center which is at the heart of our economic and transportation ecosystem here in Stamford and the region.”
Considered one of the busiest transportation hubs in New England, with approximately 28,300 customers served each weekday (pre-COVID), the Stamford Transportation Center remains a venue for commuters traveling to a wide array of destinations. Among them is none other than Congressman Himes, who often takes the train from Stamford down to Washington, D.C. for his work on Capitol Hill.
“This is our front door. This is the gateway to New England. This is people’s first impressions of our amazing state. We can’t do it without the resources of the federal government. I want to thank [Congressman] Jim Himes and all the incredible help you and our delegation, in terms of what we had to do, to get this going,” Governor Lamont said.
He commended Mayor Simmons, saying “The lead you have taken here in working with the community. Working with the community; that is so important. I want the communities to know what their neighborhoods are gonna look like. I want them to have input in what we’re trying to do. … I’m so proud of what’s going on in Stamford.”
The new parking garage “is attached directly to the Stamford Transportation Center via a 320-foot pedestrian garage and provides direct access to the Track 5 platform heading to Grand Central Terminal,” an announcement from the Governor’s Office stated. The garage includes 92 electric vehicle charging stations, 120 bicycle parking spaces, and 50 e-bike charging stations.
It also has highly efficient LED lighting that will act as “facade lighting” to commemorate special events and holidays.
“I’m thrilled to be joining everybody here to celebrate the opening of this parking facility and to celebrate, really, progress forward for the city of Stamford and for the state of Connecticut,” said Congressman Himes at the opening announcement event. “Mayor, thank you for your outstanding leadership. … Personally, I can’t tell you how excited I am [as a frequent commuter in and out of the train station].”
In addition to unveiling a new parking facility, the occasion also brought the release of the state Department of Transportation’s comprehensive master plan for the Stamford Transportation Center. The formal document published “serves as the state’s vision for future improvements that can be made at Connecticut’s busiest public transportation hub,” per the Governor’s announcement. Short- and long-term recommendations are provided to “improve multi-modal connectivity between trains, buses, and vehicles, provide upgraded passenger amenities and waiting areas, and expand and modernize the transportation facility.”
“The opening of the new parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center is the first of many critical investments for enhancing the commuter experience and expanding access at our state’s busiest train station. Transforming the Stamford train station into a world-class transit hub is a key priority for my administration,” Simmons said in the release from the Governor’s Office. “I am grateful to Governor Lamont, CTDOT Commissioner Eucalitto, and our delegation for their commitment, investment, and prioritization of the Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan and I look forward to working alongside them to ensure this project is completed.”
“The opening of the new parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center marks a significant milestone for our city,” said State Senator Patricia Billie Miller (D-Stamford) in the announcement. ”This new garage was backed by state resources and will reinforce our pivotal role in Connecticut’s transportation landscape while ensuring Stamford remains the vibrant center of the region’s rail system.”
Part of the new parking garage construction included safety enhancements to the South State Street and Washington Boulevard intersection to ensure a better experience for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers. This aspect compliments the city’s proactive Vision Zero initiative to “eliminate roadway fatalities from our streets by 2032.” It was launched in 2022 and pilot projects are underway across Stamford as part of the process.
Additional details and reactions from State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), State Representatives Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford), Corey Paris (D-Stamford), Hubert Delany (D-Stamford), and Rachel Khanna (D-Greenwich and Stamford), among others, are available here. More information on Stamford Transportation Center and the new parking garage can be found at stamfordstation.ctrail.com. Further insight into the Master Plan and each phase of the project is provided at stcmasterplan.com.
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