Fairfield Metro station

Fairfield Metro station is a commuter rail station on the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line, located in the town of Fairfield, Connecticut. It opened as an infill station on December 5, 2011.

Fairfield Metro
The Metro-North Fairfield Metro station
General information
Location61 Constant Comment Way
Fairfield, Connecticut
Coordinates41.1611°N 73.2343°W / 41.1611; -73.2343
Line(s)ConnDOT New Haven Line (Northeast Corridor)
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks4
ConnectionsLocal Transit Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority: 5, 7
Construction
Parking1,500 spaces
AccessibleYes
Other information
Fare zone18
History
OpenedDecember 5, 2011
Passengers
20182,215 daily
Rank29 of 124[1]
Services
Preceding station Metro-North Railroad Following station
Fairfield
toward Grand Central
 New Haven Line Bridgeport
toward New Haven or New Haven State Street

The station has two 12-car-long side platforms serving the outer tracks of the four-track Northeast Corridor.[2]: 22  It is fully accessible.[3]

History
Fairfield Metro station platforms in May 2012

A three party agreement was approved in 2001 between the Town of Fairfield, the State of Connecticut and developer Blackrock Realty securing state, local and private funding to build the train station and adjoining open space and clean up work. In December 2009, the state announced a bond authorization for $20 million wherein the state would assume the developer's obligation for infrastructure work and continue the project.[4][5]

In April 2010, the developer's obligation for infrastructure improvements was reduced to $5.2 million with the balance being financed through the state bonds. Responsibility for construction of the 1,500-car parking lot and access road at the town's third train station on lower Black Rock Turnpike was transferred to the town as the developer's financial obligation was reduced.[6] In July 2011, an audit of the contract and the cost overruns was approved by the Fairfield Board of Finance and members of the Representative Town Meeting.[7] The project includes creation of a 10 acres (4.0 ha) open space and public park along Ash Creek between Kings Highway in Fairfield and the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport.[6]

Blackrock Realty and the state originally used "Fairfield Metro", but Fairfield residents found the name bland. The town held an online survey in December 2010 to propose an alternate name.[8] Popular suggestions included Black Rock, Black Rock Turnpike, Ash Creek, and Grasmere, among others. The state had the final word in naming the station and chose to follow or disregard the town's recommendations. To meet the opening deadline of November 2011, a name had to be chosen by February 2011. The final name of Fairfield Metro was announced on March 18, 2011.[9] The station opened on December 5, 2011.[3]

References
  1. METRO-NORTH 2018 WEEKDAY STATION BOARDINGS. Market Analysis/Fare Policy Group:OPERATIONS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT:Metro-North Railroad. April 2019. p. 6.
  2. "Metro-North Railroad Track & Structures Department Track Charts Maintenance Program Interlocking Diagrams & Yard Diagrams 2015" (PDF). Metro-North Railroad. 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  3. "Fairfield Metro Train Station Opens December 5 on the New Haven Line". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. November 28, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  4. Saracco, Donna O'Keefe (December 31, 2009). "Train Station gets a boost". Fairfield Minuteman.
  5. Loh, Tim (January 20, 2010). "$20 million for Metro Center: "Bonding," not bailout, officials declare". Fairfield Citizen.
  6. Reilly, Genevieve (April 30, 2010). "Back on track". Fairfield Citizen. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  7. Reilly, Genevieve (July 12, 2011). "Selectmen scrutinize Fairfield Metro contract changes". Connecticut Post. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  8. Grosso, Meg Learson (December 15, 2010). "Take the survey: Name our third train station". Fairfield Minuteman. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  9. Reilly, Genevieve (March 18, 2011). "Town officials on board with 'Fairfield Metro' name for new railroad station". Fairfield Citizen. Retrieved December 12, 2011.

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