CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: April 20, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

City & State Continue Partnership to Expand

Bridgeport’s Intermodal Transportation Center

Two New Parking Levels Added to Harbor Yard Garage

          Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker today announced two new levels have opened for public parking at the Harbor Yard Garage (HYG) in Bridgeport.  The new parking levels will add 500 parking spaces, to bring the total to 1,400 in the HYG. 

         The HYG is conveniently located to serve three transportation modes – rail, bus and ferry – and is centrally located for city and regional residents and visitors to utilize.  The Bridgeport Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) connects the Bridgeport Train Station which offers rail service on the New Haven Main Line, Waterbury Branch, and Shore Line East operated by Metro-North Railroad, and regional Northeast Corridor train service operated by Amtrak.

          “Bridgeport station is the fourth-busiest station on the New Haven Line serving thousands of rail and transit customers daily.  The Department and the City have worked together for a number of years to improve multimodal transportation in a central, convenient location,” said ConnDOT Commissioner Redeker.

         In addition to the train station, the new Greater Bridgeport Bus Terminal connects transit service providing 17 bays for local, regional and interstate bus service.  The Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry provides service from Connecticut to Long Island, New York.  All modes of transportation easily connect to the HYG through pedestrian walkways as well as to the entertainment venues held at Harbor Yard Baseball Field and Webster Bank Arena.

         “The expanded parking at the Harbor Yard Garage enhances the City’s current plans to expand development and entertainment in downtown Bridgeport.  Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a priority of the Malloy Administration and the Department to continue partnering with local communities to expand development near transit centers,” said Redeker. 

         The two levels of parking cost $12.2 million, funded through a combination of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and State of Connecticut Transportation and Economic Development funds.  The completion of the parking garage will allow the City to transfer ownership of the train station and parking garage to the ConnDOT.  From a past agreement, ConnDOT has operated and maintained the station and parking garage.  ConnDOT will now own, maintain and operate the two structures receiving all revenue from the commuter parking.  The City will continue to have access to the HYG for event parking at Harbor Yard and the Webster Bank Arena, and will receive 50 percent of the profits from event parking revenue.

         The Bridgeport Intermodal Transportation Center work began in 1997 to plan for future transportation needs in the City of Bridgeport and southwestern region.  Approximately 1,000 parking permits are sold on a monthly basis for a fee of $45.  Commuters are welcome to apply for additional permits in person at the Republic Parking Office located on the first floor of the parking garage or call 203-337-9915.

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