2. Notice of EIE for the New Haven - Hartford - Springfield Line High Speed, Intercity Passenger Rail Project

Municipalities where project is proposed: New Haven, North Haven, Hamden, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield, and Springfield

Address of Possible Project Location: Rail Corridor from New Haven-Hartford-Springfield

Project Description: The proposed rail service enhancement in the NHHS rail corridor would provide for up to 25 daily round-trip trains (up to 50 one-way trips per day) by 2030.  The proposed service plan would provide one-seat or cross-platform transfers on service from Washington, D.C., and New York to Springfield, Boston and the Knowledge Corridor, as well as bi-directional, 30-minute peak-hour service and hourly midday service in the NHHS rail corridor.  Related operational improvements include an increase in the capacity of the line to accommodate additional trains, an increase in the maximum train speed to 110 miles per hour (mph), service to future new regional train stations in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford, and Enfield (to be constructed with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding) , and reduced scheduled travel times.  These operational improvements, in turn, require rail infrastructure improvements. Therefore, Connecticut has proposed the NHHS Rail Program, a program of capital projects to support enhanced passenger rail service in the NHHS rail corridor. The proposed project’s infrastructure improvements in the NHHS rail corridor consist of:

• restoration of sections of track;
• construction of new passing sidings;
• construction of a layover and light maintenance facility;
• at-grade crossing upgrades;
• facility-specific bridge and culvert rehabilitations, replacements and removals;
• installation of new crossovers and signal upgrades;
• improvement or relocation of existing passenger rail platforms for Amtrak intercity service, as well as additional station parking and improved station access;
• improvements to platforms, track configuration and sidings in the Springfield Terminal area; and construction of future FTA-funded new regional rail stations in North Haven, Newington, West Hartford, and Enfield.

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project area.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: June 22, 2012

The public can view a copy of this EIE at: This document is available for public inspection at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT; the City or Town Clerk's Office and the Public Libraries in the affected municipalities along the rail corridor, the South Central Regional Council of Governments, the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency, the Capitol Region Council of Governments, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.  The document is also available at www.nhhsrail.com.

There are three public hearings scheduled for this EIE on:

Additional information about this project can be found online at: www.nhhsrail.com

Send your comments about this EIE to:

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact: