1. Notice of Scoping for the  New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Improvements

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: New Haven, North Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Newington, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Longmeadow, MA, and Springfield, MA.

Project Description: The proposed improvements include a Start Up Service as proposed in the Final Report of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Study, June 2005 and a Full Build Alternative.  The Start-up Service would include the following:

• Service would operate bi-directionally, Monday through Friday on a 30 minute peak hour schedule (at least 14 one-way trips).

• Service would be between New Haven and Springfield.

• A minimum of 18 miles of extended double track sections will be added to improve reliability and provide 30 minute headways meeting critical times in New Haven, Hartford and Springfield.

• Service would supplement existing Amtrak service on the corridor. Adjustments to Amtrak’s schedule would be attempted when possible in conjunction with operating agreements with Amtrak.

• Along with the existing nine passenger stations being served along this corridor, four additional stations would be added at North Haven, Newington, Hartford (Flatbush Avenue), and Enfield.

• The existing Windsor Locks station would be enhanced to provide facilities to accommodate a waiting area and transfers between the train and the shuttle bus to Bradley Airport.

• Local bus service will be modified to provide appropriate service to the stations.

• All stations would have high level platforms and grade-separated pedestrian facilities, considered to be necessary from an operational standpoint.

All stations would include high-level platforms, pedestrian amenities with grade separated crossings, bicycle storage and racks, and any additional parking required to accommodate projected ridership.

The Full Build Alternative would include:

• Double-track the remaining 20.6 miles of single track sections to improve reliability and allow service at least as frequent as every 15 minutes.

• Construct second high-level platforms and grade-separated pedestrian facilities at Wallingford , Berlin and Windsor Locks Stations. It is of note that these stations were on single-track segments in the start-up service and therefore only one platform and no grade-separated pedestrian facilities were necessary. With the additional double-tracking of the entire line, these elements would be necessary.

• Construct an additional station in the Wharton Brook area on the former Pratt and Whitney property as development takes place.

• Provide new commuter rail parking in the new Meriden parking structure to be constructed with downtown development plans in Meriden.

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

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:Thursday, January 15, 2009.

Municipality where project is proposed: New Hartford

Project Description: The Town of New Hartford has conducted a facilities planning study for its wastewater treatment system because the wastewater treatment plant’s average flow has exceeded ninety percent of its design capacity, the facilities that were built in 1968 have exceeded their design life, and projected growth patterns will extend into unsewered areas.  The study area includes the treatment facility, areas next to the public water supply, industrial parks, known growth areas, and a proposed development corridor along the western side of Route 44.  The recommendation of the study is the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant from 90,000 gallons per day to 400,000 gallons per day and will include advanced treatment to protect water quality and meet the requirements of the anti-degradation policy for the Upper Farmington River. This EIE is an update from the one previous noticed and published in February 2006 for a design flow of 250,000 gallons per day.

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project area.  Click here to view a treatment plant site layout diagram.  Click here to view a map of sewer service areas and sewer avoidance areas.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: January 30, 2009

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Management
Municipal Facilities Section (2nd Floor)
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106

or at the office of the

New Hartford Town Clerk
Town Hall
530 Main St.
New Hartford, CT 06057

The EIE can also be found online at the DEP website by clicking here.

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Hearing on this EIE by sending such a request to the address below by December 26, 2008.  If a hearing is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the Department of Environmental Protection must schedule a Public Hearing.

Send your comments about this EIE to:

If you have questions about a public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact Stacy Pappano as directed above.