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Stamford, CT - Thursday, October 11, 2007 - In an effort to address the Stamford region’s overwhelming traffic congestion and to develop innovative strategies for a more sustainable future for the City, Mayor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that the City of Stamford has initiated a six month feasibility study for a new light rail transit route connecting the South End, Downtown and Bull’s Head commercial areas. The intention of this system is to tie together the various elements of Stamford’s downtown core and to reinforce the connection between the office/retail core of downtown centered on Landmark Square, the retail hub at Bull’s Head and new development node at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Atlantic Street in the South End. By extending the range of access to the train station, Mayor Malloy noted, the City can increase the value of downtown real estate relative to other suburban office locations and provide an even greater share of Stamford’s commuters with an attractive and cost effective alternative to single occupant vehicle commuting. Overall, more than 20 U.S. cities have built light rails systems since 1985. The largest systems (Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and San Diego) have daily ridership over 100,000. In addition to the approximately 20 U.S. cities that have built full scale light rail systems, an additional 20 or so have implemented shorter downtown oriented routes using historic streetcars. This is differentiated from the “trolley look” buses that are common in many cities in that the vehicle operates with electric overhead power (trolley pole) and rides on steel track. With a few exceptions, most heritage routes are substantially shorter (between one mile and six miles total length) and are focused on downtown circulation, rather than the movement of large numbers of daily commuters. Given Stamford’s size and potential for transit ridership, a lower cost alternative to a light rail system could be a single downtown light rail line, potentially beginning only a single operational track with passing sidings. Much larger systems, including San Diego, Baltimore and Sacramento started initially with single track operation to limit their startup costs. With a much more modest capital investment than is required for a full scale light rail system, the City of Stamford can achieve many of the same objectives for its commercial core in terms of environmental benefits, transportation function and economic development. The viability of this route is enhanced by the upcoming widening of the Atlantic Street underpass and the potential for platform extension at the railroad station to facilitate access from the east. The recent Zoning Board approval for the Harbor Point component of the Antares project contains a condition that a four lane right of way be provided for those limited sections of the roadway where Antares owns frontage property. With a long range vision of light rail transit being analyzed during the coming fiscal year, funding opportunities can be identified and each segment of the Atlantic Street/Bedford Street right of way can be coordinated with future plans in the development of the South End, downtown and Bull’s Head areas. Significant benefits from this system will be: - Catalyzing Transit Oriented Development both in the traditional downtown core and in surrounding areas in the South End and Bull’s Head center; - Expanding customer base and customer access for existing downtown businesses; and - Enhancing market value for downtown office, retail and residential development. © Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. [an error occurred while processing this directive] CURRENT HEADLINES: [an error occurred while processing this directive] Top of Page
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