The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (Department) Office of Engineering is developing plans to construct a shared-use path between Town Line Road and Northwest Drive in the town of Plainville. This project is anticipated to be completed in three phases. Phase one extends from Town Line Road to Norton Park, phase two from Route 72 to Northwest Drive, and phase three from Norton Park to Route 72.
The purpose of this project is to close the final remaining gap of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, which is a non-motorized transportation facility built on a rail corridor formally known as the Canal Line. The trail covers approximately 84 miles (approximately seventy percent [70%] of which is completed) from New Haven, Connecticut to Northampton, Massachusetts and is part of the East Coast Greenway.
The present schedule indicates the phase one design will be completed in fall 2022, with construction anticipated to start in spring 2023, assuming acceptance of the project, availability of funding and receipt of any required right-of-way and environmental permits. This project will be undertaken with Federal funds and State funds. A portion of construction is to be undertaken with eighty percent (80%) Federal funds and twenty percent (20%) State funds. No local funds are to be utilized for this project.
It is the Department's policy to keep the public informed and involved when such projects are undertaken. It is important that the community share its concerns with the Department to assist in the project's development. A public informational meeting will be conducted upon the completion of the preliminary design. At this time, it is not anticipated that a formal public hearing will be necessary.
If anyone has any questions or comments on this project, contact Mr. Matthew R. Vail, P.E., Principal Engineer, at (860) 594-3274 or by e-mail at matthew.vail@ct.gov. Please make reference to State Project No. 0109-0173.