CITY EXPLORES NEW LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ROUTE TO CONNECT SOUTH END TO POINTS NORTH The Mayor’s announcement in October that the City 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 has generated interest in the press and with residents. The City’s proposed transit system is designed to address the Stamford region’s overwhelming traffic congestion and to develop innovative strategies for a more sustainable future for the City.
With the major redevelopment of the City’s South End, the City is looking for ways to provide easy access to all parts of Stamford through public transportation. The proposed transit system would connect Stamford’s downtown core to the South End, Landmark Square, and the retail hub at Bull’s Head. By extending the range of access to the train station, Mayor Malloy contends, the City can increase the value of downtown real estate relative to other suburban office locations and provide a greater share of Stamford’s commuters with an attractive and cost effective alternative to single occupant vehicle commuting.
Since 1985 more than 20 U.S. cities have built light rail systems. The largest systems (Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and San Diego) have daily ridership of 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. The success of these transit projects in attracting ridership and offering transportation alternatives in similarly sized cities, has encouraged City of Stamford planners to pursue the project.
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 with 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 current proposed plan traces a basic route along Atlantic and Bedford Streets. 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.
The proposed transit system is an innovative initiative that would benefit the City of Stamford in a number of ways. The project would catalyze Transit Oriented Development both in the traditional downtown core and in surrounding areas in the South End and Bull’s Head center. It would inevitably expand the customer base and customer access for existing downtown businesses and it would enhance the market value for downtown office, retail and residential development. The results of the feasibility study will be eagerly awaited by residents and visitors alike who are interested in finding alternatives to traffic congestion.