The State of Connecticut, through CTDOT, determined the need to conduct a market analysis and feasibility
study regarding the implementation of fixed-guideway rail or bus transit service in the Central Connecticut
Corridor, directly serving the cities of Waterbury, Bristol, and New Britain and adjacent towns of Plainville,
Berlin, and Plymouth. This initiative is referred to as the Central Connecticut Rail Study (CCRS).
This website has been used as a tool to help keep the public informed of all activities related to the
study, as well as provide a method for the public to provide input on the study as it progressed. The project
is now complete, and information will remain available on this website through October 31, 2017. After that
time, all documents will be available through the Connecticut Department of Transportation website:
http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp
If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Ms. Anna Bergeron,
Transportation Planner II, Connecticut Department of Transportation. Office of Intermodal Planning
Email: Anna.Bergeron@ct.gov.
Project Update 5/2/2017
• Existing Conditions
• Freight market Analysis • CCRS Infrastructure Assessment • Freight Workshop Summary • Bus Rapid Transit Alternative • Diesel Multiple Unit Alternative • Transit Oriented Development • Summary of Findings To review these documents or download them, please click here. To view the final project press release, click here.
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6/24/2016: : The final public meetings were held on June 15 and 16 in Berlin and Bristol.
Copies of the presentation for each meeting can be found here: Bristol and
Berlin.
6/10/2016: The final Public Meetings for the CCRS will be held
on June 15, 2016 at the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library in Berlin and on June 16,
2016 at the Bristol Public Library in Bristol. Each meeting will run from 5:30pm
to 7:30pm, with a presentation at 6:00pm. For more details on these meetings,
please click here.
8/31/2015:
Over the past several years, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has been conducting this study of the transit needs of the
Berlin – Bristol - Waterbury corridor, and the potential future use of the Pan Am Southern line between Waterbury and Berlin.
During the past year, the focus of the Central Connecticut Rail Study (CCRS) shifted to:
The latter efforts included assessing the existing rail infrastructure, examining the current and future freight rail
market and opportunities, and evaluating methods for sustaining and improving freight service on the line.
Most recently the Department is working with Pan Am Railroad on potential options for growing the market and improving
the rail and related infrastructure in the corridor. The latest discussions are expected to continue through the end of
this year, and the results will become part of the study report.
Options for improving freight movement were given a significant boost this summer through Governor Dannel Malloy’s newly
authorized Let’s Go CT transportation program, which includes a freight rail improvement program. The program includes
an annual commitment of $10 million for freight rail improvements statewide. Corridors such as the Pan Am Southern Line
will be the primary beneficiary of this new state program. To view Let's Go CT click here.
Freight rail improvements will not only support economic development in the corridor, they will also support continued
maintenance and upgrades of the rail line infrastructure that will be important for any restoration of passenger service.
1/8/2015: The third Advisory Committee meeting for the
CCRS was held on November 20, 2014. To view the report of this meeting, including the presentation
that was given, please click here.
11/3/2014: The third Advisory Committee meeting for the
CCRS will be held on November 20, 2014 from 10am-12pm at the offices of the Central
Connecticut Chambers of Commerce (200 Main Street, Bristol, CT). This meeting
is open to the public. An update will be given on adjustments made to the Study’s scope of work.
The meeting will also include a presentation of work that has been completed since the last Advisory Committee meeting.
10/2/2014: Historic photos of the Terryville Tunnel and its construction have been added to the website under Study Documents. Construction on the tunnel began on
February 21, 1907, and it opened for passenger rail service on January 28, 1911. Analysis of this tunnel is a critical component of the CCRS. To view the historic documents,
please click here. Documents courtesy of the Plymouth Historical Society and Judith Giguere,
Town of Plymouth Historian.
6/23/2014: During last Spring's Alternatives Workshop and Study Advisory Committee meeting, a number of additional items were identified for study consideration.
As a result, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has expanded the scope of the CCRS, and the Study Team has been revising
the study approach to address these items. The new CCRS scope includes an expanded analysis of potential new bus options, additional rail vehicle options, and a more detailed look
at freight rail conditions. The next Study Advisory Committee meeting is planned for Fall 2014. To view the updated Study schedule, please click here.
6/13/2013: A CCRS technical group held an alternatives development
workshop on May 13, 2013. To view the report of this workshop, please click
here.
Also, the second Study Advisory Committee meeting for the CCRS was held
on June 5, 2013. To view the report of this meeting, including the presentation
and handouts that were distributed, please click here.
5/31/2013 –The first Public Meetings for the CCRS will be held
on June 17, 2013 at the Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury and on June 20,
2013 at the New Britain Public Library. Each meeting will run from 5:30pm
to 7:30pm, with a presentation at 6:00pm. For more details on these meetings,
please click here.
5/29/2013 –The second Study Advisory Committee meeting for the
CCRS will be held on June 5, 2013 from 10am-12pm at the offices of the Central
Connecticut Chambers of Commerce (200 Main Street, Bristol, CT). This meeting
is open to the public. An update will be given on Study activities to date,
and a presentation will be given on the Long List of Alternatives and potential
station locations within the Study Corridor. Please Note: This
information will also be presented at public meetings on June 17, 2013 in
Waterbury and on June 20 in New Britain. More information about these public
meetings will be posted soon!
5/1/2013 –Following the first Study Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting
in February, SAC members were given the opportunity to comment on the preliminary
alternatives, draft purpose and need statement, and Existing Conditions
Report presented at this meeting. A summary of these comments and the responses
from the CTDOT can be found here.
An updated version of the CCRS Purpose and Need Statement can be found here,
and the updated Existing Conditions Report can be found in the Study Documents
section of this website. The comments regarding the preliminary alternatives
will be considered in conjunction with the feedback collected at an alternatives
workshop being held later this month.
4/23/2013 –The Study Team hosted two focus group meetings on April
3, 2013. The purpose of these meetings was to better understand the travel
experiences, perceptions, expectations, and preferences of individuals who
live and work in the Study Corridor. To view the Summary Report of the items
discussed at these meetings, please click here.
2/19/2013 –The first Study Advisory Committee meeting for the
CCRS was held on February 7, 2013. To view the report of this meeting, including
the presentation and handouts that were distributed, please click here.
2/4/2013 –The CCRS Study Team has published its Survey Analysis
Report, which summarizes the information obtained from Study Corridor residents
and employees through in-person and online surveys. The report can be found
under “Study Documents.”
1/25/2013 – The first Study Advisory Committee meeting for the
CCRS will be held on February 7, 2013 from 10am-12pm at the offices of the
Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce (200 Main Street, Bristol, CT).
This meeting is open to the public. To view the meeting agenda, please click
here.
1/7/2013 – The CCRS Study Team is in the process of analyzing
survey data and developing preliminary alternative concepts. These items,
along with other aspects of the Study, will be discussed at a Study Advisory
Committee meeting in February 2013. Details of this meeting will be posted
on this website as they become available. If you are interested in receiving
notifications of Study activities, please complete the Contact form at the
bottom of this page and request to be added to the Study’s Interested
Parties e-mail list.
11/20/2012 – The CCRS Study Team has completed the first existing conditions report for the CCRS – Existing Conditions: Demographics and Transportation. The purpose of this report is to identify current demographic and socioeconomic conditions, as well as transportation services and infrastructure within the Study Corridor. This report can be found under “Study Documents.”
10/9/2012 –The CCRS Study Team needs YOUR input! Where do you travel? When do you travel? What are your priorities? Please click here to fill out our survey. Your input will help shape the future of transportation in the place where you live and work. Four $25 Amazon gift cards will be awarded randomly to survey participants. UPDATE: The survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated
10/1/2012 – Thank you for your interest in the Central Connecticut
Rail Study! The study is underway, and the first public informational meeting
is expected to be held in Winter 2012 / 2013. Details of this meeting will
be posted on the study website as information becomes available.
The Study Team consists of representatives from CTDOT as well as members
of the consultant team. The consultants were led by URS Corporation of Rocky
Hill, CT. The team also included individuals from A. Strauss-Wieder, Inc.
(Westfield, NJ) and Nelson\Nygaard (New York, NY). The Small Business Enterprise
(SBE) firm on the team is Gregg Wies & Gardner Architects, LLC (New
Haven, CT).
The CCRS began in Spring 2012. The projected was completed in Summer 2016.
The State of Connecticut, through CTDOT, has identified a need to conduct a study regarding the implementation of fixed-guideway rail or bus transit service between Waterbury and Berlin. This corridor has been analysed for enhanced transportation options and passenger rail service times in the past, and the Study Team has reviewed studies that have identified and addressed transportation needs within the CCRS Study Corridor. These reviews provide a summary of relevant study reports, highlighting their relationship to the CCRS. Please click on the link below to view the Review of Previous Studies.
Review of Previous StudiesGiven the numerous communities and stakeholders associated with the CCRS, public involvement was a critical aspect of this study. This section of the website includes information relating to the Public Involvement Plan, Study Advisory Committee, and Public Meetings.
Public Involvement PlanThe Advisory Committee met four times during the course of CCRS. All meetings were open to the public, and meeting documents are posted on the website.
Two sets of public informational meetings were held for the CCRS. Details of these meetings are posted here:
Newsletters were produced to keep the public informed of the progress
on the CCRS. These newsletters were distributed to public libraries and
town halls in the Study Corridor. They were also emailed to interested
parties. Please click the links below for copies of the newsletters:
Newsletter 1: Spring/Summer 2013
Newsletter 2: Spring 2016
Below are the final report documents.
Due to large file size of some documents, the best method for download is to right-click (for Macintosh users, CTRL-click) the link and choose "Save as..." or "Save Target as..." to your computer.
Existing Conditions (Final, 3.7 MB)Supporting documents
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