Long recognizing the need to provide additional parking for improved access to the New Haven Line commuter rail service, CTDOT engaged VHB to develop a new infill commuter rail station along the heavily traveled New Haven Line (NHML) between Milford and New Haven. VHB’s responsibilities included leading the overall management of the commuter rail station development process from site selection and environmental review through conceptual, preliminary, and final design and engineering support during construction. The main elements of the facility design work included:
- Two 12-car, high-level covered platforms
- A full-service station building
- At-grade parking for 650 vehicles with infrastructure in-place to support structured parking
- An accessible, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pedestrian bridge connecting the eastbound and westbound platforms
- CCTV, railroad communications, passenger information display systems (PIDS), and security systems
- The rerouting of overhead railroad utilities under the platforms, and
- Site access improvements for pedestrians and vehicles and accommodation of intermodal connections.
The project also required railroad infrastructure related improvements, including the reconstruction of five miles of NHML Track 3, reinstallation of the contact wire for electrification, the design/installation of a new signal system for all four main line tracks, and the installation of a redundant fiber optic backbone. Construction of this project along the busy NHML which includes shared MNR/Amtrak/freight rail operations required careful planning and coordination with the railroads, as well as rigorous construction management. VHB developed staging and sequencing plans for the facility work adjacent to the active railroad ROW that accommodated 24/7 MNR and Amtrak service, and regular freight rail activity throughout the construction process. Our approach to project staging and sequencing provided for the continued smooth operation of service during construction of this critical regional transportation facility.
