OLD SAYBROOK - Construction on a new 200-space parking lot for the Old Saybrook train station should start in the fall of 2014. This information was part of a presentation made by Project Manager Keith Hall of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) at last week's public information meeting.

The proposed commuter parking lot would be built on 3.6 acres of vacant land on North Main Street on land abutting the railroad property on the south side of the tracks. A fence would be built along the lot perimeter to delineate private property to the south and west and railroad property to the north, according to DOT documents.

Hall confirmed that DOT already has the funding available to purchase the land and complete construction of the proposed lot.

DOT estimates that the construction cost would be between $1 million and $2.5 million. An appraisal of the land's value is underway now. When completed, the DOT will enter into negotiations with the future parking lot land's owner.

The written summary attendees received noted that the Office of the State Traffic Administration made a preliminary determination that "no changes will be needed to any of the area intersections with U.S. Route 1 at this time."

Questions and comments from residents in the audience challenged this determination. One resident asked if Hall had visited the station to watch as traffic backs up on North Main after trains arrive at the station. He said he had.

He further explained that DOT has a process that it follows if intersections are deemed to exceed capacity. He said the department would continue to monitor traffic counts to assess the traffic situation.

Attendees pressed Hall to get DOT to consider making improvements in road or signalization as part of this project. Others asked about what type of landscaping and lighting DOT would include.

"Landscaping and lighting of this property should be like that at the Madison station with its low lights," said attendee Chuck Halving.

About 20 residents attended last week's meeting to listen and ask questions of the state DOT team.