During a public hearing held by the General Assembly's Transportation Committee on February 24th, a local lawmaker asked about improvements to the Danbury branch of Metro North.  Wilton Representative Gail Lavielle also asked Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti for his opinion on the idea of connecting the old Maybrook line in Danbury to the Southeast Metro North train station. 

Lavielle is concerned that less riders would make spending money on the line seem less attractive.  Giulietti says it would not change DOT plans for the branch. 

He is also skeptical of the time savings for commuters who would use the Maybrook line.  Giulietti says there are a lot of hurdles to getting trains up and running there, but wouldn't prejudge the study and is open to whatever the findings are.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council agreed to fund a $1 million study.  It will provide a full analysis of ridership, impact on I-84, impact on the Southeast station and what physically needs to happen to the old rail line. 

The track is owned by freight operator Housatonic Railroad, not the state.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton noted that 1,200 people a day take HART shuttles or park at Southeast and this will get drivers off I-84, easing congestion.  But he cautioned that the project would require $50 million to $70 million in funding and will take time with all of the needed upgrades.

The Maybrook line began in 1871, 30 miles west of Poughkeepsie and went to Hartford. In 1892, a connection was built allowing through service from Danbury to Maybrook.  Passenger service was provided on and off until it was turned into a freight line.  In 1993, the track was sold to Maybrook Properties and most freight service ended.