CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: December 19, 2007	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

Governor Rell Announces Additional

Rail Parking in New Haven

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the availability of additional rail parking for New Haven’s Union Station at the former site of the New Haven Coliseum. The parking lot is leased from the city by Propark, Inc., who will operate the lot until the city finalizes plans to develop the property.

“We think the additional available parking will be welcomed by rail users,” Governor Rell said. “The Union Station garage and surface lot often experience capacity issues, and while this is only a temporary solution, it will definitely help our riders access the system.

“We will continue to push for new rail stations, more parking and new trains – and new and innovative approaches like the New Britain to Hartford busway and the development of housing and businesses near train stations. We need to build the transportation system of our future.  Our commuters and our businesses deserve nothing less.”

The lot has a capacity of over 600 spaces and is approximately two blocks from the station at the corner of Orange Street and North Frontage Road.

Primary access to the lot is from Orange Street immediately off Route 34, Exit 1. Parking rates are $8 per day (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and $105 for monthly parking. The lot is operational 24 hours per day on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Connecticut is undertaking aggressive initiatives on all aspects of the rail system, which includes refurbishing existing equipment, improving train stations, providing additional rail station parking, building the next generation of rail cars and maintaining rail infrastructure.

Last December, Governor Rell cut the ribbon on a new $33 million rail maintenance facility in the New Haven Rail Yard.  The Running Repair Shop is the first new facility to be built and placed in service as part of an overall project by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) to rebuild the New Haven Rail Yard rail car maintenance complex.

Last August, in a ceremony on board a Metro-North commuter train, Governor Rell signed the $2.3 billion transportation enhancement bill dubbed the “Roadmap for Connecticut’s Economic Future.”  The bill is the centerpiece of the mass transit initiatives advanced by the Governor and the legislative leadership in 2006 and builds on the Governor’s $1.2 billion transportation package passed in 2005.