DOT Update: Farmington Canal Heritage Trail – Phase 2, Plainville
February 18, 2022
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. The project is to be completed in three phases. Phase 1 extends from Town Line Road to Norton Park, Phase 2 will be from Route 72 to Northwest Drive, and Phase 3 will be from Norton Park to Route 72.
The purpose of this project is to close the final remaining gap in the Connecticut section 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 complete) from New Haven, Connecticut to Northampton, Massachusetts, and is part of the East Coast Greenway.
The present schedule indicates that the Phase 2 design will be completed in March 2024, with construction anticipated to start in fall 2024, 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 one hundred percent (100%) State funds.
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 Matthew R. Vail, P.E., Principal Engineer, at (860) 594-3274 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Please make reference to State Project No. 0109-0176 – Phase 2.