August 1, 2008
Stuart Bressman
Editor’s note: This letter was sent by email to Barbara Gerrard, New Castle town supervisor with a copy sent to NewCastleNOW.org
Dear Ms. Gerrard, Can you tell me if the new bridge on Route 120 over the Saw Mill River Parkway will have a direct stairway down to the train platform?
Such access would make walking to the train station instead of driving much more desirable for a large number of Chappaqua residents. This is especially so with the new sidewalk, which is terrific.
Given the town’s concerns about traffic and a shortage of parking, I would think that encouraging more commuters to walk to the train station would be very helpful to everyone in the town. Currently, to walk to the train, we have to walk over the bridge, then walk past the train station to the stairway there in order to walk up the stairs and then back down, only, in many instances to walk all the way back down the platform to where the bridge is in order to sit near the back of the train, which many commuters prefer in order to use the north exit at Grand Central Terminal.
Having a stairway that goes directly to that part of the train platform would be a great benefit and I am sure will encourage a large number of residents to walk to the station, thereby reducing traffic congestion and freeing up much-needed parking spaces for people who live farther away. It may even result in health benefits for residents who would then choose to walk! Please note that a number of other towns on the Metro-North Harlem line have such stairways.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely yours,
Stuart Bressman
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