Southport (Metro-North station)

Infobox Station
name=Southport
style=MNRR New Haven
type=


image_size=
image_caption
address=400 Center Street (Westbound),
Fairfield, CT 06490
coordinates=coord|41.13589|-73.28898
line=
Metro-North Railroad:
other=Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority:
2, Coastal Link
structure=
platform=
depth=
levels=
tracks=4
parking=179 spaces
bicycle=
baggage_check=
opened=
closed=
rebuilt=
electrified=
ADA=
code=
owned=
zone=
former=
passengers=72,020
pass_year=2006
pass_percent=0
pass_system=
mpassengers=
services=
map_locator=

The Southport Metro-North Railroad station is one of two New Haven Line stations serving the residents of Fairfield, Connecticut.

Southport is 48.9 miles from Grand Central Terminal and the average travel time from Grand Central is one hour, 12 minutes though this varies depending on run and time of day.The station has 179 parking spaces, 99 owned by the state. [ [ http://www.ct.gov/dotinfo/lib/dotinfo/ctgov/FinalParkingReport.pdf] "Task 2: Technical Memorandum parking Inventory and Utilization: Final Report" submitted by Urbitran Associates Inc. to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, "Table 1: New haven Line Parking Capacity and Utilization", page 6, July 2003]

On January 4, 2008, the westbound station house, one of the few remaining original station houses on the New Haven Line, was gutted by fire. According to a fire marshal, human activity was most likely involved in causing the fire. Whether that activity was intentional or accidental is not known and may never be known. Most of the damage caused by the fire turned out to be water damage so the station will be renovated rather than replaced as earlier reports predicted. [ cite web |url=http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8315672| title=Connecticut Post news article (2/20/08)| ] The building which burned housed an art gallery, as well as a passenger waiting area. However, most of the artwork was saved.

According to the Fairfield Parking Authority, the original structure was not as damaged as originally thought, and reconstruction is already underway (as of April 2008). The estimated re-opening of the Southport Station is expected some time in 2009. It is unclear whether ArtPlace will retain its location in the building or not.

Within walking distance

The village or hamlet of Southport, which serves as the downtown area for the Southport section of the Town of Fairfield, is a short walk from the station. From the eastbound platform, it begins at the foot of Station Street. There, one finds Pequot Avenue lined with two rows of quaint shops within one- and two-story commercial buildings. Nearby there are condominium complexes, the Wakeman Boys & Girls athletic club with a gymnasium, tennis courts, and playing field, the Pequot Library, several churches, and the Pequot Yacht Club at Southport Harbor. Most of the streets in this area are lined with sidewalks and single-family detached houses.

Connections

*Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority: 2

ee also

* Connecticut Rail Commuter Council is the official state advocate for train commuters and brings station problems to the attention of officials.

Notes

External links

* [http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=242 Metro-North Railroad - Southport]
* [ http://www.ct.gov/dotinfo/lib/dotinfo/ctgov/Southport.pdf] Bureau of Public Transportation of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, "Condition Inspection for the Southport Station" report dated September 2002