Merritt 7 train station construction funded by state

NORWALK, Conn. — The state has approved funding for a new train station at Merritt 7, on the Danbury line.

The State Bond Commission on Wednesday approved $20 million for “the design and construction of the Orange, Barnum and Merritt 7 Stations on the New Haven Line and Danbury Branch Line Station upgrades – Merritt 7 Station – Norwalk.”

State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-25) could not immediately provide details, with his aide commenting that things are hectic with the legislative session.

The proposed station was the topic of a public meeting in April 2015. At that point it was estimated that design would be $5 million and construction $15 million.

The plan was designed in collaboration with the Norwalk Transit Authority and Norwalk officials. The station was planned to be 600 feet north of the current station, with Glover Avenue moved to the west about six to eight feet.

One of the ideas behind the design is to allow for future upgrades, such as leaving room for possible catenary towers for electrifying the line, CDOT Project Manager Bruce Olmstead said, citing that as the reason the road would be moved.

The platform would be 510 feet long to allow more train doors to open onto it, with bicycle racks at either end under the full-length canopy, officials said. There would be an overpass that would link to a driveway at Merritt 7, linking the station with Main Avenue and allowing pedestrians access.

There are 5,000 apartments planned for Glover Avenue, John Eberle of Stantec, an engineering firm, said Monday.

Also approved by the Bond Commission was $48 million for the design, engineering and construction of a new dock yard on the Danbury Branch Line, a project linked to the reconstruction of the Walk Bridge.