(rshsdepot) Rensselaer, NY

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Light, delays at end of tunnel Rensselaer --
Work nearing completion on $53 million site, but officials doubt it will 
open by the end of month

By CATHY WOODRUFF, Staff writer Times Union

Workers are steaming into the home stretch of construction on the 
region's new train station, but it now appears unlikely that the project 
will meet this month's target for completion.Capital District 
Transportation Authority officials have steadfastly refused to set a 
precise opening date for the station -- which has grown in price from an 
initial estimate of $35 million to $53.1 million -- in part to avoid 
criticism if they miss it. They have, however, clung for nearly a year 
to a pledge to have the station open by the end of June 2002. That goal 
was set last summer after a series of delays postponed the project from 
the original spring 2001 expected opening.During a tour of the new 
station interior on Tuesday, CDTA Operations Committee Chairman Wayne 
Pratt would not rule out an opening this month, but he acknowledged that 
chances for a June completion now look slim."It's a possibility it could 
happen, but it would be very tight,'' Pratt said. "Maybe we could do it, 
but I don't think I'd feel comfortable with it.''Pratt and members of 
the CDTA staff declined to say what deadline they now believe would be 
realistic.Even without a date, however, an end does seem to finally be 
in sight for the construction work that began with a June 1999 
groundbreaking and a $43 million price. Earlier estimates had put the 
price at $35 million."As you look at it, there's a lot of workers here. 
We're pushing this thing,'' Pratt said as he gestured toward dozens of 
men at work on the new station platform and canopies, a walkway over the 
tracks, and the stairways, escalators and elevators connecting the two 
levels.The terrazzo flooring in the central well of the station is in 
place, soon to be surrounded by ceramic tiles and carpeting. Areas to be 
occupied by a Coffee Beanery restaurant and a newsstand are ready to be 
finished off by the concessionaires.A central ticket counter is in 
place, and a warren of offices behind the scenes is being finished for 
the crew of Amtrak employees who will staff the station.Among the 
station's most elegant features are two polished bronze chandeliers that 
once lit the state Capitol's famed Million-Dollar Staircase. The 
fixtures, on indefinite loan from the state, were no longer needed after 
Capitol restoration workers removed the World War II blackout covering 
from a skylight that now illuminates the staircase.Energy-efficient 
fluorescent bulbs now glow inside the 12 white glass globes of each 
rewired chandelier, several dozen feet above the station floor.The 
station's interior design -- conceived by Schenectady architect Frank 
Gilmore of Strachner, Roth & Gilmore -- incorporates a number of 
elements that subtly echo America's 19th-century steam-engine age.Gray 
steel support beams feature half-circle curves and are accented with 
thinner red crossing supports, reminiscent of the driving arms that 
turned the wheels of steam locomotives.The dark green buttresses soaring 
upward on the cathedral ceilings resemble the designs of the pointed 
iron "cow catchers'' that dominated the fronts of the old steam 
locomotives.And in addition to the seating inside the main station, 
there will be seats within the glass-enclosed walkway over the tracks, 
so passengers can watch for their trains and quickly head for the 
stairs, elevators and escalators down to the platforms as they approach. 
The walkway, known by the French term passarelle, will have heat and air 
conditioning.CDTA officials said the design aims to project a modern, 
welcoming image for the Capital Region while also evoking some of the 
romance and grandeur of the old train stations that many rail travelers 
enjoy.On the modern end, the station features a mezzanine-level meeting 
room and business center with computer hookups on the second floor, 
along with commercial space available for lease."This is not going to be 
'ye olde train station,' '' said Jack Reilly, director of planning and 
development for CDTA. "We're trying to strike a balance. Some people 
feel it's a nostalgic way to travel, but it's also intended to be a very 
efficient, modern transportation system.''Amtrak is prepared to move 
from the old station next door at any time, a spokeswoman said. "We're 
just waiting for CDTA to give us the green light to move in there,'' 
said Karen Dunn.

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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