The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a series of public information meetings to review the findings of the Eastern Connecticut Corridor Rail and Transit Feasibility Study. Meetings will be held in person with a virtual option available.
The public information meetings are being held to provide the public and local communities with an overview of the study findings and offer the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.
The draft final report is now available, and the public comment period is open through October 20, 2023.
In 2021, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill directing CTDOT to conduct a feasibility study about extending Shore Line East service and enhancing public transportation services in southeastern Connecticut. CTrail Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operating between New London and New Haven, with connections to Metro-North’s New Haven Line.
“This important study examines the feasibility of rail and transit enhancements in southeastern Connecticut. Public input on potential strategies is essential to this preliminary study,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Study Manager Elise Greenberg. “We encourage the public to attend one of the meetings to share their feedback with the CTDOT study team.”
The study has been evaluating the feasibility and market for:
-
Extending the Shore Line East rail service to the State of Rhode Island
-
Establishing a new passenger rail service from the City of New London to the City of Norwich
-
Establishing a new passenger train station in the Town of Groton and Stonington Borough
-
Extending bus services in southeastern CT and providing connectivity between such services and rail lines
The meeting times are:
- Meeting 1: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Groton Senior Citizens Center, 102 Newtown Rd., Groton
Parking lot available
Recording available on CTDOT’s YouTube Channel after the meeting
- Meeting 2: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.
Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich
Parking Map for Otis Library
Parking passes will be available at the entrance or can be printed here
Streamed live on CTDOT's YouTube channel
- Meeting 3: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Zoom—please visit the study website to register
Streamed live on CTDOT's YouTube channel
Both in-person venues are ADA-accessible and accessible by SEAT buses.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering the Webinar ID 926 1673 4731. The three public meetings will also be livestreamed on YouTube, and closed captioning will be available. Non-English translation options will be available on Zoom and YouTube.
Recordings of the meetings will be available on the Eastern Connecticut Corridor Rail and Transit Feasibility Study website and CTDOT’s YouTube channel following the events.
Language assistance can be provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance. Persons may request assistance by contacting CTDOT’s Language Assistance Line at (860) 594-2109 at least five business days prior to the meeting. Persons having hearing or speech disabilities may dial 711 for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and instruct the operator to contact (860) 594-2243.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions to Elise Greenberg, AICP, Study Manager, at DOTplanning@ct.gov or (860) 594-2855 before October 20, 2023. Please reference ”ECRTS” or “Eastern CT Rail and Transit Feasibility Study” in the subject of your email or voice message.