Amtrak is launching a two-year study of rail improvements between New Haven and Providence, reopening a decade-long debate over the future of the Northeast Corridor — this time with more public input.
Community Engagement
The New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study differs from earlier federal planning efforts, which drew widespread opposition in shoreline Connecticut. This time, Amtrak said it will put more emphasis on community engagement before recommending any changes.
The study seeks to address two longstanding challenges: limited rail capacity and curved shoreline tracks that slow train speed. As part of the process, Amtrak plans to host about 30 outreach events across the study area.
Previous Controversy
The new study follows the controversial NEC Future project, a multimillion-dollar federal effort led by the FRA from 2012 to 2017 to identify future investments in the rail system from Boston to Washington, D.C.
In 2016, the FRA proposed a rail bypass through Old Lyme that would have resulted in a high-speed route between Old Saybrook and Kenyon, R.I. The proposal drew almost unanimous opposition from local residents and officials who complained they were consulted only after the route had been decided.
Current Approach
Jim Gildea, chairman of the Connecticut Public Transportation Council, welcomed the new approach, saying he appreciated that “it will be an open process allowing communities to participate.”
Sam Gold, executive director of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments, said he is optimistic that “the communities between New Haven and Providence will be heard, and we’ll hopefully get a better result out of the study.”
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
