Enfield Rail Station Planned to
Serve Commuters,
Spur Economic Growth Across Region
ENFIELD � Commuters working in Hanford or Springfield could someday have an alterna�tive to the snarl of highway rush hour traffic.
���������� If
current plans are approved by the state leg�islature, the Thompsonville section
of Enfield would join North Haven and Newington in building train stations for
a proposed commuter railroad connecting New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield.
���������� According
to Enfield Town Manager Scott Shanley, two public hearings were recently held
to gather input on the plan, which would cost taxpayers a one-time charge of
$263 million for tracks, trains, and stations covering 60 miles of terrain. A
report produced this fall by planning and consulting firm Wilbur Smith
Associates of New Haven proposed an additional annual operating cost of about 9
million.
���������� "This
rail service would address a lot of the problems people complain about in
Connecticut." Shanley explained. �We need to do something dramatic for the
state�s economic strength: our commuter labor force. Your abili�ty to get a job
without moving would expand considerably.�
���������� He
continued, �This would also encourage economic development. It would encourage �infill�
rather than spreading out to open space. It�s an incentive [for developers] not
to sprawl.� Regarding the project�s price tag he added, �It would cost about
$240 million to add a high�way lane from Springfield to New Haven This will
spur economic development, that's where the payback is.�
���������� The
Wilbur Smith study stated that, with con�nections to Metro North, Shore Line
East, and Amtrak, regional travelers could also use the proposed rail line,
including a connection to Bradley International Airport.� Service would operate in both directions,
Monday through Friday, on a 30-minute �peak� hour� schedule. No adjustments
would be made in Amtrak schedules, but fares would be adjusted for com�muter
use.
���������� "The
Windsor Locks station would provide adequate facilities to accommodate a
waiting area and transfers between the train and the shuttle bus to Bradley
Airport," the study detailed Projected �ridership� would be 2,000 new
daily trips.
���������� "The
next step is to present this the trans�portation strategy board again,"
said Shanley. A total of 18 miles of additional track would be needed, with a
stretch of about 3-5 miles of that located in the� section of Enfield. A new
station is described a~ a raised platform with parking. Thompsonville is one of
many areas in need of revitalization that the commuter rail plan is intended to
improve.� Public comment on the
recommendation action ends Dec. 15.
By Mike Briotta, Staff Writer, from Reminder Community News December 7,
2004 Enfield Edition. �www.remindernet.com
