CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: May 8, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE) of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line High Speed, Intercity Passenger Rail Project (State Project No. 170-2296) is now available for public review and comment. 

The EA/EIE is being published by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The EA/EIE can be viewed on the project website, http://www.nhhsrail.com. Copies are also available at each City or Town Clerk’s offices and the Public Libraries in the affected municipalities along the rail corridor.  A notice has also been published in the Connecticut Environmental Monitor dated May 8, 2012.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the EA/EIE during a 45 day comment period beginning on May 8, 2012 and ending on June 22, 2012.  Comments can be submitted via the project web site or by mail to: Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT  06131-7546.  Comments may also be submitted verbally, or in writing, at each of the public hearings on the EA/EIE, scheduled in June.

The project corridor is approximately 62 miles (99.78 km) in length and begins in the City of New Haven and extends through the towns of North Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Longmeadow, MA, and Springfield, MA.

Improvements to this corridor are considered necessary in order to provide an alternative means of travel that is convenient, frequent, and reliable.  Issues that have been analyzed in depth include operational characteristics, infrastructure needs, transit-oriented development (TOD), the effects of the alternatives on noise, air, water quality, and cultural and recreational resources, as well as other social, economic and environmental effects, and capital and operating costs.

Three public hearings have been scheduled as follows: 

DATE: Thursday, June 7, 2012.

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: Torp Theatre, Davidson Hall, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT   

Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012. 

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 

DATE: Thursday, June 14, 2012. 

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: North Haven High School, 221 Elm Street, North Haven, CT.

Any questions should be directed to Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director, CTDOT, Bureau of Policy and Planning, at (860) 594-2931.