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Coordinates: 41°09′40″N 73°14′03″W / 41.1611°N 73.2343°W / 41.1611; -73.2343
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{{Short description|Railroad station in Fairfield, Connecticut, US}}
{{future railway station}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox Station
{{Infobox station
| name=Fairfield Metro Center<br>(planned)
| name=Fairfield–Black Rock
| style=MNRR New Haven
| logo=
| style=CTrail
| image=Fairfield Metro station under pedestrian bridge, May 2012.jpg
| logo_size=
⚫
| image_caption=The station in May 2012
| image=
| address= 61 Constant Comment Way
| image_size=
⚫
| borough = [[Fairfield, Connecticut]]
⚫
| image_caption=
| coordinates = {{coord|41.1611|-73.2343|region:US-CT_type:railwaystation|display=inline,title}}
| address= 21 [[Black Rock Turnpike]]<br>[[Fairfield, CT]]
| line=ConnDOT [[New Haven Line]] ([[Northeast Corridor]])
| line=Metro-North:
| other={{bus icon|12px|Local Transit}} [[Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority]]: 5, 7
{{rail color box|system=MNRR|line=New Haven}}
| platform= 2 [[side platform]]s
| other=
| platform=
| tracks=4
⚫
| parking=1,500 spaces
| tracks=
⚫
| parking=1,500
| bicycle=
| bicycle=
| mpassengers={{rail pass box|passengers=2,215 daily boardings<ref name="mta2018">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/mnrr-2018-weekday-station-boardings |title=Metro-North 2018 Weekday Station Boardings |date=April 2019 |publisher=Metro-North Railroad Market Analysis/Fare Policy Group |page=6}}</ref>| pass_year=2018}}
| passengers=
| opened= December 5, 2011
| pass_year=
| pass_percent=0
| opened=
| rebuilt=
| rebuilt=
| ADA=
| accessible=yes
| code=
| code=
| owned=
| owned=
| zone=
| zone=18
⚫
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system=MNRR|line=New Haven|left=Fairfield|right=Bridgeport
| services=
{{s-rail|title=MNRR}}
⚫
{{s-line|system=MNRR|line=New Haven|previous=Fairfield|next=Bridgeport|type2=Two}}
}}
}}
| mapframe = yes
'''Fairfield Metro Center''' is a future station on [[Metro-North Railroad]]'s [[New Haven Line]] in eastern [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[Connecticut]]. Once completed, it will be the town's third railroad station, located between [[Fairfield (Metro-North station)|Fairfield station]] and [[Bridgeport (Metro-North station)|Bridgeport station]]. The station will be accessible by exit 24 of [[Interstate 95 in Connecticut|I-95]].
| mapframe-custom = {{Infobox mapframe |shape=none |line=none |marker=rail |marker-color=#EE0034 |zoom=14 }}
}}

'''Fairfield–Black Rock station''', formerly '''Fairfield Metro''', is a [[commuter rail]] station on the [[Metro-North Railroad]] [[New Haven Line]], located in the town of [[Fairfield, Connecticut]]. It opened as an [[infill station]] on December 5, 2011, and was renamed in June 2024. The station has two 12-car-long [[side platform|side platforms]] serving the outer tracks of the four-track [[Northeast Corridor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2647944/Operations-Metro-North-Railroad-Track-Charts.pdf|title=Metro-North Railroad Track & Structures Department Track Charts Maintenance Program Interlocking Diagrams & Yard Diagrams 2015|date=2015|publisher=Metro-North Railroad|access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref>{{Rp|22}} It is fully [[accessible]].<ref name=":0" />

==History==
[[File:Fairfield-Black Rock station sign, July 2024.jpg|thumb|left|Fairfield–Black Rock station signs on platforms in July 2024]]
A three party agreement was approved in 2001 between the Town of Fairfield, the State of Connecticut and developer Blackrock Realty securing state, local and private funding to build the train station and adjoining open space and clean up work. In December 2009, the state announced a bond authorization for $20 million wherein the state would assume the developer's obligation for infrastructure work and continue the project.<ref name="zwire17">{{cite news|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20399624&BRD=1653&PAG=461&dept_id=686445&rfi=6 |title=Train Station gets a boost |newspaper=Fairfield Minuteman |date=December 31, 2009 |first=Donna O'Keefe |last=Saracco }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="fcn1">{{cite news |url=http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/20-million-for-Metro-Center-Bonding-not-328772.php |title=$20 million for Metro Center: "Bonding," not bailout, officials declare |newspaper=Fairfield Citizen |date=January 20, 2010 |first=Tim |last=Loh }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In April 2010, the developer's obligation for infrastructure improvements was reduced to $5.2 million with the balance being financed through the state bonds. Responsibility for construction of the 1,500-car parking lot and access road at the town's third train station on lower Black Rock Turnpike was transferred to the town as the developer's financial obligation was reduced.<ref name="fcn2">{{cite news |url=http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/default/article/Fairfield-Metro-Center-back-on-track-467976.php |title=Back on track |newspaper=Fairfield Citizen |first=Genevieve |last=Reilly |date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710220031/http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/default/article/Fairfield-Metro-Center-back-on-track-467976.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> In July 2011, an audit of the contract and the cost overruns was approved by the Fairfield Board of Finance and members of the [[Representative Town Meeting]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Selectmen scrutinize Fairfield Metro contract changes |first=Genevieve |last=Reilly |url=http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Selectmen-scrutinize-Fairfield-Metro-contract-1459363.php |newspaper=Connecticut Post |date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> The project includes creation of a {{convert|10|acre|ha}} open space and public park along [[Ash Creek (Connecticut)|Ash Creek]] between Kings Highway in Fairfield and the [[Black Rock (Bridgeport)|Black Rock]] neighborhood of Bridgeport.<ref name="fcn2"/>


Blackrock Realty and the state originally used "Fairfield Metro", but Fairfield residents found the name bland. The town held an online survey in December 2010 to propose an alternate name.<ref name="Fairfield Minuteman">{{cite news |title=Take the survey: Name our third train station |first=Meg Learson |last=Grosso |url=http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2010/12/15/fairfield/news/doc4d0914d2b1323593048123.txt |newspaper=Fairfield Minuteman |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211230/http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2010/12/15/fairfield/news/doc4d0914d2b1323593048123.txt |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Popular suggestions included Black Rock, Black Rock Turnpike, Ash Creek, and Grasmere, among others. The state had the final word in naming the station and chose to follow or disregard the town's recommendations. To meet the opening deadline of November 2011, a name had to be chosen by February 2011. The final name of '''Fairfield Metro''' was announced on March 18, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Town officials on board with 'Fairfield Metro' name for new railroad station |first=Genevieve |last=Reilly |url=http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/Town-officials-on-board-with-Fairfield-Metro-1161966.php |newspaper=Fairfield Citizen |date=March 18, 2011 |access-date=December 12, 2011 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322113432/http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/Town-officials-on-board-with-Fairfield-Metro-1161966.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The station opened on December 5, 2011.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/metro-north/fairfield-metro-train-station-opens-december-5-new-haven-line|title=Fairfield Metro Train Station Opens December 5 on the New Haven Line|date=November 28, 2011|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=February 1, 2017|archive-date=August 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821141432/http://www.mta.info/press-release/metro-north/fairfield-metro-train-station-opens-december-5-new-haven-line|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Part of the plan had included building four office buildings and a [[Hilton Hotel]] next to the station but Hilton has reportedly dropped out. The street address of the site is 21 Black Rock Turnpike. The station will have 1,500 parking spaces.


On March 28, 2024, the [[Connecticut Department of Transportation]] announced plans to rename Fairfield Metro to Fairfield–Black Rock in the coming months.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Renaming of the Fairfield Metro Station to Fairfield-Black Rock Station |url=https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ctdot-press-releases/2024/renaming-of-the-fairfield-metro-station-to-fairfield-black-rock-station |access-date=2024-03-28 |agency=Connecticut Department of Transportation |language=en}}</ref> Station signage was changed in June 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://connecticut.news12.com/fairfield-metro-now-fairfield-black-rock-station1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626191039/https://connecticut.news12.com/fairfield-metro-now-fairfield-black-rock-station1 |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |newspaper=News 12 |date=June 26, 2024 |title=Fairfield Metro now Fairfield-Black Rock station}}</ref>
Actual construction of the train station and associated commercial space has yet to begin. Site clearing did begin under questionable circumstances in spring [[2007]]. [http://www.fairfieldcitizen-news.com/local/ci_5075215]


==References==
The station is expected to open in late [[2009]] or early [[2010]] but numerous projections for completion have been wrong in the past. [http://origin.connpost.com/localnews/ci_5682602]
{{Reflist}}


The project has been exteremely controversial for a number of reasons including the fact that it was originated by [[ConnDOT]] during the the administration of the disgraced former Governor [[John G. Rowland]] who was sentenced to federal prison for corruption. And more recently in early [[2008]], numerous local citizens are questioning the project because government regulatory processes have been short circuited without question by anyone other than concerned citizens.
[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19294915&BRD=1653&PAG=461&dept_id=12717&rfi=6]
[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19471245&BRD=1653&PAG=461&dept_id=12717&rfi=6][http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19449690&BRD=1653&PAG=461&dept_id=12717&rfi=6]
[http://www.fairfieldweekly.com/article.cfm?aid=7184]
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat-inline}}
*[http://www.fairfieldmetrocenter.com/ Fairfield Metro Center]
{{MNR links}}
*[http://www.fairfieldretail.com/fairmc.html Fairfield Retail Partners]
*[http://www.stationstops.com/2008/04/11/fairfield-metro-center-development-project-mired-in-embarrassingly-ugly-local-politics-video/ Metro Center public meeting event video]
*[http://www.fairfieldersplan.org// Fairfielders' Protecting Land and Neighborhoods -FPLAN]


{{MNRR stations navbox}}
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[[Category:Metro-North Railroad stations]]
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[[Category:Fairfield, Connecticut]]
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[[Category:Transportation in Fairfield County, Connecticut]]


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[[Category:Metro-North Railroad stations in Connecticut]]
{{Connecticut-railstation-stub}}
[[Category:Stations on the Northeast Corridor]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Fairfield, Connecticut]]
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[[Category:Railroad stations in Fairfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2011]]
[[Category:2011 establishments in Connecticut]]

Latest revision as of 21:24, 2 September 2024

Fairfield–Black Rock
The station in May 2012
General information
Location61 Constant Comment Way
Fairfield, Connecticut
Coordinates41°09′40″N 73°14′03″W / 41.1611°N 73.2343°W / 41.1611; -73.2343
Line(s)ConnDOT New Haven Line (Northeast Corridor)
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks4
ConnectionsLocal Transit Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority: 5, 7
Construction
Parking1,500 spaces
AccessibleYes
Other information
Fare zone18
History
OpenedDecember 5, 2011
Passengers
20182,215 daily boardings[1]
Services
Preceding station Metro-North Railroad Following station
Fairfield
toward Grand Central
 New Haven Line Bridgeport
toward New Haven or New Haven State Street
Location
Map

Fairfield–Black Rock station, formerly Fairfield Metro, is a commuter rail station on the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line, located in the town of Fairfield, Connecticut. It opened as an infill station on December 5, 2011, and was renamed in June 2024. The station has two 12-car-long side platforms serving the outer tracks of the four-track Northeast Corridor.[2]: 22  It is fully accessible.[3]

History

[edit]
Fairfield–Black Rock station signs on platforms in July 2024

A three party agreement was approved in 2001 between the Town of Fairfield, the State of Connecticut and developer Blackrock Realty securing state, local and private funding to build the train station and adjoining open space and clean up work. In December 2009, the state announced a bond authorization for $20 million wherein the state would assume the developer's obligation for infrastructure work and continue the project.[4][5]

In April 2010, the developer's obligation for infrastructure improvements was reduced to $5.2 million with the balance being financed through the state bonds. Responsibility for construction of the 1,500-car parking lot and access road at the town's third train station on lower Black Rock Turnpike was transferred to the town as the developer's financial obligation was reduced.[6] In July 2011, an audit of the contract and the cost overruns was approved by the Fairfield Board of Finance and members of the Representative Town Meeting.[7] The project includes creation of a 10 acres (4.0 ha) open space and public park along Ash Creek between Kings Highway in Fairfield and the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport.[6]

Blackrock Realty and the state originally used "Fairfield Metro", but Fairfield residents found the name bland. The town held an online survey in December 2010 to propose an alternate name.[8] Popular suggestions included Black Rock, Black Rock Turnpike, Ash Creek, and Grasmere, among others. The state had the final word in naming the station and chose to follow or disregard the town's recommendations. To meet the opening deadline of November 2011, a name had to be chosen by February 2011. The final name of Fairfield Metro was announced on March 18, 2011.[9] The station opened on December 5, 2011.[3]

On March 28, 2024, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced plans to rename Fairfield Metro to Fairfield–Black Rock in the coming months.[10] Station signage was changed in June 2024.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Metro-North 2018 Weekday Station Boardings. Metro-North Railroad Market Analysis/Fare Policy Group. April 2019. p. 6.
  2. ^ "Metro-North Railroad Track & Structures Department Track Charts Maintenance Program Interlocking Diagrams & Yard Diagrams 2015" (PDF). Metro-North Railroad. 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Fairfield Metro Train Station Opens December 5 on the New Haven Line". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  4. ^ Saracco, Donna O'Keefe (December 31, 2009). "Train Station gets a boost". Fairfield Minuteman.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Loh, Tim (January 20, 2010). "$20 million for Metro Center: "Bonding," not bailout, officials declare". Fairfield Citizen.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ a b Reilly, Genevieve (April 30, 2010). "Back on track". Fairfield Citizen. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  7. ^ Reilly, Genevieve (July 12, 2011). "Selectmen scrutinize Fairfield Metro contract changes". Connecticut Post. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  8. ^ Grosso, Meg Learson (December 15, 2010). "Take the survey: Name our third train station". Fairfield Minuteman. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  9. ^ Reilly, Genevieve (March 18, 2011). "Town officials on board with 'Fairfield Metro' name for new railroad station". Fairfield Citizen. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "Renaming of the Fairfield Metro Station to Fairfield-Black Rock Station" (Press release). Connecticut Department of Transportation. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  11. ^ "Fairfield Metro now Fairfield-Black Rock station". News 12. June 26, 2024. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024.
[edit]

Media related to Fairfield–Black Rock station at Wikimedia Commons

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