Orange station (Metro-North)

The station is planned to be built on a 50-acre parcel in Orange through a public-private partnership. A private transit-oriented development project, which would include residential units, retail, and a parking garage, will be constructed in conjunction with the station. The station is currently in the planning stages, and in fall 2016, a consultant designer was chosen for the project. The station will have two canopied side platforms that will be located within the existing right-of-way. The station will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will have elevators. Design on the station began in January 2017, and construction on the station will begin in spring 2019, before being completed in fall 2021.[1]

The station, according to the Final Environment Impact Station from June 2007, which was considering both this station and a station at West Haven, would have 1080-foot-long platforms, a 470-space parking structure north of the southbound platform and a 3000-square-foot waiting room. This plan had a pedestrian tunnel connecting the two platforms, while existing plans have them connected by an overpass. The existing station location is primarily undeveloped.[2]

In the late 1990s, Metro-North began considering adding a station in either Orange or neighboring West Haven, Connecticut to fill the ten-mile gap between the Milford and New Haven stations—the longest such gap on the New Haven mainline. Both town governments were supportive of a station, which was then to cost $25–30 million. Support in West Haven was largely rallied by the West Haven Train Station Committee Inc., which circulated a petition eventually signed by 7600 residents. Support in Orange was both local by the Orange Railroad Committee and also aided by several employers, including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, whose employees were likely to use the station.[3] In fall 2001, a site study and a regional transportation committee recommended the Orange site (at Marsh Hill Road) based on cost, time considerations, and highway access. However, in December 2001, the South Central Council of Governments voted instead to support the West Haven site, citing the economic needs of West Haven versus comparatively wealthy Orange.[3]

Orange's first selectman originally planned to appeal the decision, and controversy continued.[3] The sustained bitter animosity between the two towns was cited in a study of bargaining between municipalities.[4] The Final Environmental Impact Statement, issued in June 2007, considered both station sites, noting that "The recommendation of the West Haven site does not preclude the construction of a commuter railroad station at the Orange site in the future, as the demand for additional parking and service warrants, and as additional funding becomes available."[2] In 2011–even after ground was broken at West Haven–state lawmakers considered a funding deal to build an Orange station.[5] In July 2011, Governor Malloy signed a bill that sought a funding source, but that committed no funds to the project.[6] The West Haven station opened on August 18, 2013.[7] On February 1, 2017, the Connecticut State Bond Commission authorized $21 million for design work for the station, in addition to funding for the upgrade of a station on the Danbury Branch.[8]

In November 2017, the Connecticut DOT announced that it would halt funding for the construction of Orange station and the accompanying transit-oriented development as the state was running out of funds for transportation projects.[9]

Final Connecticut Department of Transportation Environmental Impact Evaluation - May 2017