Report from Rosario Rizzo, chair of Portland Air Line Trail Committee - June 17, 2019
Committee has 7 original members and 2 alternates. Meets last Monday of month exc. Dec, at 6:30 pm at Library.
E.1. – Establish Air Line Trail; Extend to Town Center; Connect to East Hampton, Middletown, Glastonbury.
Phase 1 - Trail completed and opened – June 2018 – 2.3-mile segment from Depot Hill Rd in East Hampton – Portland line at viaduct (Posted 0.0) – to YMCA and Butler Construction boundary. Keegan Hill property on Middle Haddam Rd was purchased and a parking lot/trail head was established. Trail being used heavily; police are patrolling to discourage ATV and motorbikes. Success of this piece encourages owners of potential trail extension areas. Added street signs and safety signage at roadways. Other actions taken to promote safety (e.g. falling rocks).
Connect to East Hampton – done and East Hampton has completed most of the segment from downtown to the Portland line. Just one wetland area to be addressed by building a board walk soon.
Complete Streets Group established as subcommittee with Kathy Herron, chair. See previous report of that group.
Business – Economic Development – considering ways to encourage trail users to patronize local businesses. Creating App with downloadable map from QR code to be at kiosks to help locate businesses for visitors. Posted town maps at kiosks for the time being. Mr. Rizzo is also consultant to Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and updates this group as to progress of the trail and business connections. CSG has posted signage for several bike trails through the town.
Phase 2 – from YMCA to Williams Street Extension. Proposal to DEEP to spend remaining $70,000 of original grant monies on proposal for this phase and doubling parking area at Keegan (due to heavy use.) Approved by DEEP. Town DPW has agreed to provide labor for Keegan job and Committee will fund materials. Discussions with landowners of this segment have been encouraging and much of this segment has been figured out. Negotiations and details still being worked out. Considering Bike Repair station at Keegan trail head. State has a 50 ft. right of way on Rt 66. They have discussed that this could be used to place trail in places where old rail bed not available.
Phase 3 – continuing from Williams Street Ext. to Arrigoni Bridge. Potentially a 10-year timeline. Problems include multiple landowners, and structures constructed in old rail bed. Presently 2 CCSU engineering students researching landowners and original railbed route as their senior project. Discussions are ongoing with various landowners. Committee has toured and conferred with state on old RR depot. State will give right of entry for ATC use when ready. (State has committed to keep the RR bridge to Middletown open 20 years.) Town building official reviewed building for stability.
Connect to Middletown – Committee went to Middletown Citizens Meeting and spoke in support of the Middletown trail to go to Arrigoni Bridge. Potential for a 110-mile loop when Portland and Middletown can meet at Arrigoni Bridge and complete their trails.
Connect to Glastonbury – Committee has hiked and spoken with landowners regarding the route along the river from Exchange Club fairgrounds to Ferry landing in South Glastonbury. There may be similar route along Portland’s riverfront from Riverfront Park to fairgrounds. Considerations and discussions with landowners ongoing.