State Senator Thomas A. Colapietro
January 27, 2009
Colapietro and Representative Boukus Announce $45,000 in Funding to Conduct Study for Plainville Rails for Trails Project
Senator Thomas Colapietro (D-Bristol) and Representative Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus (D-Plainville) have secured a $45,000 grant that will clear the way for Plainville to conduct a study for a possible rails for trails project that could include a bicycle and walking path. The plan is to encourage the use of non-motorized transportation, increase recreational opportunities and encourage travel to the Plainville Town Center that needs economic revitalization.
The funding will be used by Plainville to conduct a design study of a multi-use trail. Plainville is part of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail which covers 84 miles from New Haven to Northampton, Massachusetts, but it is the only community that does not have a design plan for the location of a trail. One of the challenges is because Plainville still has a live rail system.
The study would be from Northwest Drive to the center of town. It would detail the options available for the trail along a portion of the existing rail line running between Northwest Drive and Cronk Road. It would also address a preferred route in the area of the rail yard and bridges over the Pequabuck River and Northwest Drive.
“Rails for trails projects have been highly successful in a number of communities across Connecticut, and this funding would help to determine if such a project would be feasible in Plainville,” said Senator Colapietro. “The multi use trail has the potential to increase recreational opportunities and boost the economy in Plainville and I’m pleased this funding will clear the way for a detailed study of the proposal.”
Representative Boukus said, “Plainville is the final link of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail from New Haven to Massachusetts. The study is an important first step toward completing the trail. The Plainville rails to trails committee, spearheaded by James Cassidy, deserves a lot of credit for moving this idea forward.”
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