Town and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials gathered to cut a long blue ribbon, celebrating the completion of the MTA’s $34 million facelift at the Cortlandt Train Station this afternoon.

The station, which is used by about 1,200 people per day, features 730 new parking spaces, including spots for hybrid vehicles, scooters, motorcycles and bicycles; a new overpass; elevators and enclosed staircases and a heated waiting area. The MTA paid $20 million to build the new parking lot and spent another $14 million on the eco-friendly and state-of-the-art-structural improvements. The older easterly lot has 885 spots after two expansions over the last few years.

The recent MTA upgrades, which took about two years to complete, also include: new vending machines; lighted sidewalks; a “green” restroom; landscaped station plaza; storm-water pollution prevention system, bus drop-off area and emergency call phones.

“It is very important asset for our town, commuters, the economy and the VA hospital,” Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi said. Puglisi emphasized the importance of the overpass, which will provide a path from the station to the Montrose Veterans Affairs hospital for commuters who utilize and work there.

While the project was fully funded by the MTA, the Town of Cortlandt did lobby the MTA to build the station 20 years ago after Puglisi took office. Town officials also partnered with the Authority to help arrange for some land to be bought from the Keon Center.

Now that the construction on the station is completed, Councilman Frank Farrell said that he would like to see an interchange to Route 9, “probably just on the South side of the station,” to help with traffic issues.

Councilman Dr. Richard Becker focused on the eco-friendly aspects of the improvements.

“It is nice to see some infrastructure projects completed during these economic times. It is very green and encourages mass transit use,” Becker said.

MTA Metro-North Railroad President Howard Permut said the station will be a boon to the local economy and provide local residents access to the New York City jobs market.

View photos of the new station above. Also, take our poll and tell us what you think of the improvements.

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