State Rep. Holly Cheeseman: Public Meetings for Eastern CT Corridor Rail & Transit Feasibility Study Findings

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

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. 

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.

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  

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

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.

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.

Sincerely,

As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding state government, please feel free to reach out to me at Holly.Cheeseman@housegop.ct.gov.