Governor Ned Lamont and CT Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto on Monday hosted a ceremony attended by local and state officials and members of the public to commemorate the grand opening of the new parking garage at the Stewart B. McKinney Transportation Center.
The garage is commonly known by many as the Stamford Transportation Center. It is now available for use by the public.
Matt McCooe head of CT Innovations addresses the crowd gathered to mark the opening of the new parking garage at the Stewart B. McKinney Transportation Center in Stamford. Photo: Nick Simmons Feb 26, 2024
Matt McCooe head of CT Innovations addresses the crowd gathered to mark the opening of the new parking garage at the Stewart B. McKinney Transportation Center in Stamford. Photo: Nick Simmons. Feb 26, 2024
HAPPENING NOW: After 11 years of delays, the new #Stamford train station parking garage is finally opening today
Large parts of the current garage are closed because the roof has caved in
28,000 commuters use this station every day pic.twitter.com/FawwwFxZ0v
— John Craven (@johncraven1) February 26, 2024
This new 914-space parking garage is attached directly to the Stamford Transportation Center via a 320-foot pedestrian garage and provides direct access to the Track 5 platform heading to Grand Central Terminal.
It includes 92 electric vehicle charging stations, 120 bicycle parking spaces, including 50 e-bike charging stations, and has façade lighting with color changing high-efficient LED lighting that will commemorate special events and holidays.
The parking garage project included the reconstruction of the South State Street and Washington Boulevard intersection, making it safer for all roadway users with new sidewalks, traffic signals, and thermal crosswalks.
This $100 million project was entirely funded by the state through bond funding and has been administered by the Connecticut Dept of Transportation. The original garage, built in 1985, will soon be closed and its demolition will begin within the next month. Following that work, the Stamford Transportation Center will have nearly 2,100 parking spaces – an increase of 600 spaces from what was available before today.
The Connecticut Dept of Transportation soon plans to issue a request for qualifications for a transit-oriented development project to be created at the site of the original garage property, which will complement additional investments that the City of Stamford has been making to improve properties and infrastructure around the station. This joint state and city endeavor is expected to drive further economic and community development for Stamford and the entire state.
In addition to Monday’s parking garage opening, Governor Lamont and Commissioner Eucalitto announced the release of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan, which serves as the state’s vision for future improvements that can be made at Connecticut’s busiest public transportation hub. The master plan includes short and long-term recommendations that will improve multi-modal connectivity between trains, buses, and vehicles, provide upgraded passenger amenities and waiting areas, and expand and modernize the transportation facility.
“Stamford’s train station is the busiest public transportation hub in Connecticut, and the rail line that utilizes this station is the single most heavily used commuter rail line in the United States,” Lamont said. “Thousands of people who live here depend on these trains to get them to their jobs every single day, and businesses benefit by being centrally located to a transportation center that is accessible and convenient for their workers. When we make investments to improve our transportation infrastructure, we are doing it with a laser focus on how our state and the people who live here can benefit economically to support themselves and their families.”
“The opening of the new parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center is the first of many critical investments for enhancing the commuter experience and expanding access at our state’s busiest train station. Transforming the Stamford train station into a world-class transit hub is a key priority for my administration. I am grateful to Governor Lamont, CTDOT Commissioner Eucalitto, and our delegation for their commitment, investment, and prioritization of the Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan and I look forward to working alongside them to ensure this project is completed,” Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons said.
State Representative Rachel Khanna (D-149 representing Greenwich, Stamford) said, “I am thrilled that the new parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center has opened. This important initiative marks the recognition of Stamford as a thriving city and hub connecting important cities in the Northeast.”
For more information about the Stamford Transportation Center and the parking garage, including parking rates and permits, visit stamfordstation.ctrail.com.