(rshsdepot) North Canaan, CT

[Jim Dent <jdent1_@_optonline.net>]

Town celebrates train station money
KENNETH J. CONSIDINE , Register Citizen Staff  04/06/2004

NORTH CANAAN - Congresswoman Nancy Johnson will hold a press conference
today at 1 p.m. to announce $1.7 million in funding for the reconstruction
of the Union Depot Train Station in North Canaan. The historic building,
which had one wing of the L-shaped depot as well as it's tower destroyed in
an arson fire started by several area youths in October of 2001, is the
centerpiece of a downtown area that at one time revolved around the
railroad.

The historic building was purchased in December by the non-profit
Connecticut Railroad Historical Association. CRHA Secretary Lyle Kloke
estimates the cost of reconstruction at approximately $2.5 million.

Johnson worked with appropriators to fund the Union Depot project through
the Transportation Equity Act (H.R. 3550).The House passed its version of
the bill by a 357-65 vote.The bill will now proceed to a joint committee
where the House and Senate versions of the bill will be reconciled.

"The funding is a big shot in the arm for the Northwest Corner and the
entire district.It's excellent news," Johnson said in a press release
Friday."The loss of the historic Union Depot Train Station struck at the
very heart of the community.An important effort is underway to rebuild this
station and return to the community what was lost, and this funding will be
a tremendous help."

"Nancy's done a terrific job in coming through in getting this funding,"
said North Canaan First Selectman Doug Humes."The train station is the focal
point of the town center. We're just devastated with this black hole that's
there now. Now we know we can really get started with the reconstruction.We'
ll be going full steam."

Humes said he hopes to have the outer shell of the building raised by late
July to coincide with Railroad Days, a yearly celebration of the town's link
to its past dependence on the railroad.Presently the Housatonic Railroad
runs its freight operations out of the historic station.The line runs as far
south as Danbury and up to Pittsfield, Mass., in the north.

Kenneth Considine can be reached by email at nwcorner_@_registercitizen.com.

ŠThe Register Citizen 2004
http://www.registercitizen.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11248128&BRD=1652&PAG=461&dept_id=12530&rfi=6


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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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