There’s a plan for a new $45.5 million train station in CT. Here’s how to weigh in on it.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold a “hybrid” public information meeting on the proposed Railroad Station in Enfield at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield St., and on Zoom and YouTube, according to the agency.
“The virtual public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project,” the agency said in a statement.
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Further, the meeting will “kick off the National Environmental Policy Act” process, which the DOT said is required as the agency received federal grants to assist in funding the proposed station.
The process “will evaluate and report on impacts of the proposed project to the natural and human environment and affords additional opportunities to comment on the project in the future,” the agency said in the statement.
“Reestablishing a railroad station in Enfield will be a key component of the popular Hartford Rail Line, connecting Enfield to the rest of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New England, and beyond,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Engineer Julianne Chatman said, also in the statement.
“We encourage the Enfield community and members of the public to attend this important meeting and share their feedback with the CTDOT project team. Public involvement is a critical component of train station design,” Chatman said.
Details provided by the DOT:
- The proposed project would be intended to provide a safe, reliable, and convenient alternative mode to motor vehicle travel connecting Enfield to Hartford, New Haven, Springfield, and via Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor to the cities of New York and Boston.
- The proposed project would be serviced by CTrail Hartford Line Rail.
- The goal is to provide another option to bus service, increasing frequencies for non-automobile travel between Enfield and cities served by CTrail while enhancing connections to local bus service in Enfield, reducing auto dependency and vehicle emissions.
- The project is also consistent with state and local planning initiatives for responsible growth and long-term sustainability.
- Construction is anticipated to begin spring 2025, dependent on the acquisition of rights of way and approval of permit(s).
- The estimated construction cost for the project is about $45.5 million.
- The project is anticipated to be undertaken with 40% federal funds and 60% state funds.
A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, according to the agency.
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The agency said registration is required to attend the meeting on Zoom; this is the link to register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pl7gMXiWTFS9obgQtc8EZg.
The meeting will be streamed live on CTDOT’s YouTube channel; no registration is required for that, according to the agency.
Enfield Town Hall is ADA accessible and transit accessible.
Also according to DOT: People with limited internet access may use this number (646) 931-3860, and enter Webinar ID 989 6989 8745 and password 259199 and can request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Richard Bertoli at richard.bertoli@ct.gov or (860) 594-3263. People with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).