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South Norwalk (Metro-North station)
Encyclopedia
The South Norwalk Metro-North Railroad
station is one of three stations serving the residents of Norwalk, Connecticut
via the New Haven Line and is the more significant of the three. Nicknamed "SoNo
" by riders and staff, the station is the point where the Danbury Branch connects to the Northeast Corridor
as well as a peak-hour terminal for some express trains. It is the last stop for New Haven super-express trains before they run non-stop to Grand Central Terminal
in New York. Just east of the station is the SONO Switch Tower Museum, a preserved switch tower which is open weekend afternoons during the summer months.
The predecessor station in the same location was named Norwalk & South Norwalk in timetables of the New York, New Haven and Hartford
and successor Penn Central.
South Norwalk is 41 miles (66 km) from Grand Central Terminal
and the average travel time from Grand Central is 64 minutes though this varies depending on run and time of day.
The station has 816 parking spaces, none owned by the state.
In the older station building at the eastbound side of the tracks contains a small restaurant, the SoNo Station Cafe, with a breakfast menu for morning commuters and "French-inspired European fare" for the rest of the day. The cafe, which opened October 1, 2008, also has a bar serving wine and beer. The 900 square feet (83.6 m²) space space is subleased from the New England Fashion Design Association.
The station was the first to receive Wi-Fi
service on the New Haven Line in March 2006. The service was provided for one year from a federal grant received from the "One Coast, One Future" initiative designed to help economic development in Stamford, Norwalk and Bridgeport. The grant provides for Wi-Fi service for one year with the expectation that local governments will provide it in the future if they find it valuable enough to do so. Similar service was planned for Stamford and Bridgeport stations in the spring of 2006 but no others. Westport also started providing the service in the spring of 2006.
The City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Transit District
let a contract for $238,000.00 to study possible improvements to the South Norwalk Station with a goal to make it a better "intermodal" facility with improved access for cars, buses, shuttles, pedestrians, and taxis in February 2008.
In late 2008, a renovation project began at the station, involving the installation of power-assist doors, better smoke detectors, emergency lights and energy-efficient lights. Other work included cleaning brickwork, painting, improving signs and moving the automated pay station. A Norwalk city government official said the changes were meant to make the station more inviting and give visitors a better impression of Norwalk.
In 2010, the rail bridges over Monroe Street adjacent to the station were replaced. As part of the replacement the stairways that used to provide pedestrian access to either platform from Monroe Street were removed along with concealment of the original red sandstone abutment
s behind steel reinforced concrete facings.
s. Each is 10 cars long on the Northeast Corridor, but much shorter for the outer tracks. The western platform, adjacent to Tracks 3 and 5, is generally used by westbound or Manhattan
-bound New Haven Line trains via Track 3, and by Danbury Branch trains via 3 car long Track 5. The eastern platform, adjacent to Tracks 4 and 6, is generally used by eastbound or outbound New Haven Line trains via Track 4, or Danbury Branch trains via 2 car long Track 6.
The New Haven Line has six tracks at this location. The two inner tracks, not adjacent to either platform, are used only by express trains, such as the Acela Express
.
The station in South Norwalk is just south of the "SoNo" entertainment and business district. Going north from the station (to the right on State Street from the main building entrance, or to the left from the older building entrance on the eastbound side of the tracks), turn right on Monroe Street, pass the Norwalk police station and turn left on South Main Street.
Three blocks to the north, where the railroad tracks pass diagonally over the intersection of Washington Street and North and South Main Streets, is the central intersection of the district. The streets near this intersection are blocked to vehicle traffic for major festivals, such as the SoNo Arts Celebration. From this intersection, starting by facing north:
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
station is one of three stations serving the residents of Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
via the New Haven Line and is the more significant of the three. Nicknamed "SoNo
South Norwalk, Connecticut
South Norwalk is a neighborhood in Norwalk, Connecticut. SoNo features a high density of bars and eateries and is the center of Norwalk's nightlife and restaurant culture...
" by riders and staff, the station is the point where the Danbury Branch connects to the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
as well as a peak-hour terminal for some express trains. It is the last stop for New Haven super-express trains before they run non-stop to Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
in New York. Just east of the station is the SONO Switch Tower Museum, a preserved switch tower which is open weekend afternoons during the summer months.
The predecessor station in the same location was named Norwalk & South Norwalk in timetables of the New York, New Haven and Hartford
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
and successor Penn Central.
South Norwalk is 41 miles (66 km) from Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
and the average travel time from Grand Central is 64 minutes though this varies depending on run and time of day.
The station has 816 parking spaces, none owned by the state.
In the older station building at the eastbound side of the tracks contains a small restaurant, the SoNo Station Cafe, with a breakfast menu for morning commuters and "French-inspired European fare" for the rest of the day. The cafe, which opened October 1, 2008, also has a bar serving wine and beer. The 900 square feet (83.6 m²) space space is subleased from the New England Fashion Design Association.
History
The newer, main station house, on the westbound (New York City-bound) side of the tracks, was built in 1994.The station was the first to receive Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
service on the New Haven Line in March 2006. The service was provided for one year from a federal grant received from the "One Coast, One Future" initiative designed to help economic development in Stamford, Norwalk and Bridgeport. The grant provides for Wi-Fi service for one year with the expectation that local governments will provide it in the future if they find it valuable enough to do so. Similar service was planned for Stamford and Bridgeport stations in the spring of 2006 but no others. Westport also started providing the service in the spring of 2006.
The City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Transit District
Norwalk Transit District
The Norwalk Transit District is the primary provider of public transportation services in Norwalk, Connecticut and surrounding communities. The district's fixed-route bus transit system, known as WHEELS, is the primary service of the system linking Norwalk and its immediate suburbs as well as...
let a contract for $238,000.00 to study possible improvements to the South Norwalk Station with a goal to make it a better "intermodal" facility with improved access for cars, buses, shuttles, pedestrians, and taxis in February 2008.
In late 2008, a renovation project began at the station, involving the installation of power-assist doors, better smoke detectors, emergency lights and energy-efficient lights. Other work included cleaning brickwork, painting, improving signs and moving the automated pay station. A Norwalk city government official said the changes were meant to make the station more inviting and give visitors a better impression of Norwalk.
In 2010, the rail bridges over Monroe Street adjacent to the station were replaced. As part of the replacement the stairways that used to provide pedestrian access to either platform from Monroe Street were removed along with concealment of the original red sandstone abutment
Abutment
An abutment is, generally, the point where two structures or objects meet. This word comes from the verb abut, which means adjoin or having common boundary. An abutment is an engineering term that describes a structure located at the ends of a bridge, where the bridge slab adjoins the approaching...
s behind steel reinforced concrete facings.
Platform and track configuration
This station has two high-level island platformIsland platform
An island platform is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange...
s. Each is 10 cars long on the Northeast Corridor, but much shorter for the outer tracks. The western platform, adjacent to Tracks 3 and 5, is generally used by westbound or Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
-bound New Haven Line trains via Track 3, and by Danbury Branch trains via 3 car long Track 5. The eastern platform, adjacent to Tracks 4 and 6, is generally used by eastbound or outbound New Haven Line trains via Track 4, or Danbury Branch trains via 2 car long Track 6.
The New Haven Line has six tracks at this location. The two inner tracks, not adjacent to either platform, are used only by express trains, such as the Acela Express
Acela Express
The Acela Express is Amtrak's high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor in the Northeast United States between Washington, D.C., and Boston via Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York...
.
Within walking distance
Three blocks to the north, where the railroad tracks pass diagonally over the intersection of Washington Street and North and South Main Streets, is the central intersection of the district. The streets near this intersection are blocked to vehicle traffic for major festivals, such as the SoNo Arts Celebration. From this intersection, starting by facing north:
- To the right (east) is Washington Street, with bars, restaurants and shops as well as the tiny SoNo Switchtower Museum. At the end of the block, to the left is the IMAX theater entrance to the Maritime Aquarium and docks where boats offer trips to Sheffield Island LightSheffield Island LightSheffield Island Light is an historic Connecticut, USA, lighthouse located at the southern end of the Norwalk Islands on the west entrance of the Norwalk River on northern Long Island Sound....
. Straight ahead is the Stroffolino Bridge over the Norwalk RiverNorwalk RiverThe Norwalk River is a river in southwestern Connecticut, approximately long. The word "Norwalk" comes from the Algonquian word "noyank" meaning "point of land".-Description:...
, at the point where the river opens up into Norwalk HarborNorwalk HarborNorwalk Harbor is a recreational and commercial harbor and seaportat the estuary of the Norwalk River where it flows into Long Island Soundin Norwalk, Connecticut, United States.The last portion of the Norwalk River from the head of navigation...
. Just over the bridge in East NorwalkEast NorwalkEast Norwalk is a neighborhood located in Norwalk, Connecticut.The neighborhood is a culturally diverse, mostly middle-class section of the city, inhabited by many different ethnicities such as Greeks, Italians, Hispanics, African Americans, and long time "Connecticut Yankee" residents...
and to the right is Veterans Memorial Park, where the annual Norwalk Oyster Festival takes place.
- To the left (west) is the small South Norwalk Library and the area's only skyscraper, the 50 Washington Street building.
- Straight ahead for three blocks are more restaurants, bars and shops, with the Norwalk Museum in the former City Hall building, just past the former Palace Theatre, a former vaudevilleVaudevilleVaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
venue. The Bowtie cinema multiplexMultiplex (movie theater)A multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens, typically three or more. They are usually housed in a specially designed building. Sometimes, an existing venue undergoes a renovation where the existing auditoriums are split into smaller ones, or more auditoriums are added in an...
is further up the street on the right.
- Continuing north along West Avenue for almost a mile is Central NorwalkCentral NorwalkThe Central or Midtown section of Norwalk, Connecticut is an urbanized area in roughly the geographic center of the city, north of the South Norwalk neighborhood and the Connecticut Turnpike. Wall Street, West Avenue and Belden Avenue are the main thoroughfares...
, just past the Interstate 95Interstate 95 in ConnecticutInterstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, runs in a general east–west compass direction for 111.57 miles in Connecticut from the Rhode Island state line to the New York State line. I-95 Southbound from East Lyme to the New York State...
underpass, and the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum, close by the Stepping Stones Museum for ChildrenStepping Stones Museum for ChildrenStepping Stones Museum for Children is a hands-on children's museum for ages 10 and under located at 303 West Avenue, in the Central section of Norwalk, Connecticut....
and the Center for Contemporary PrintmakingCenter for Contemporary PrintmakingThe Center for Contemporary Printmaking is a nonprofit multimedia studio and gallery in Norwalk, Connecticut, dedicated to the art of the print, including traditional and innovative printmaking, papermaking, book arts, digital processes, and related disciplines...
(all three institutions in "Matthews Park" share the same entrance from West Avenue). A small tourist-information office is located in the stone gatehouse at the entrance to Matthews Park on the right side of West Avenue. Across the street is Columbus Park, which also honors various ethnic groups in Norwalk. Several blocks further north, West Avenue intersects with Wall Street (to the right), which has several restaurants. A walk for several blocks down Wall Street, over a small bridge and up the small Mill Hill, leads to Mill Hill Historic ParkMill Hill Historic ParkMill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk, Connecticut is a living history museum composed of three buildings: the circa 1740 Governor Thomas Fitch IV "law office", the circa 1826 Downtown District Schoolhouse, and the 1835 Norwalk Town Hall; as well as a historic cemetery...
, on the right, with several small, preserved, historic buildings. One more block leads to Norwalk Green, on the left. Norwalk Green is at least two miles (3 km) from the train station.
See also
- Connecticut Rail Commuter CouncilConnecticut Rail Commuter CouncilThe Connecticut Rail Commuter Council is an independent state board that acts as an advocate for commuters on the Metro-North and Shore Line East railroads....
is the official state advocate for commuters and brings station problems to the attention of officials.