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CORTLANDT, N.Y. Officials from MTA Metro North, New York State and Town of Cortlandt unveiled the new Cortlandt Train Station parking lot Wednesday morning. The $34 million renovation turned two neighborhood whistle-stop platforms into a 1,600 car commuter station over the course of 16 years.
It was a very complex road to get here, said Supervisor Linda Puglisi, who began fighting to turn the Crugers and Montrose stations into one unified commuter station after her second term as supervisor. She is now serving her 21st year in office. Puglisi described many, many meetings" that it took to collaborate between several government agencies.
Land deals between the Town of Cortlandt and the MTA turned about 25 acres of meadow into the new commuter station. Along with the additional 730 parking spaces unveiled for use on Wednesday, the MTA unveiled indoor bathrooms, a food concession and pedestrian walkway over the tracks. The intersection between the Montrose Veterans Affairs campus, Cortlandt train station entrance and Route 9A was marked with signs to help relieve traffic congestion.
Several pilot programs are also being launched at the new train station, including special parking areas for scooters and hybrid cars. Commuters who currently use the station will not need a new pass for the new parking lot and can use their current parking pass. The new lot is located directly across from the Montrose VA campus.
Were a catalyst for economic development along our train stations, said Howard Permut, president of the MTAs Metro North Railroad. It goes a long way to improving the quality of life.
Representatives of state officials expressed similar sentiments, including New York State Sen. Greg Balls (R-Patterson) Chief of Staff, Jim Coleman. This is a great example of government and the private sector working together, he said before the ribbon cutting. The ceremony was accompanied by a light drizzle and cool February weather.
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