Air Line State Park Trail

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Air Line State Park Trail
Pine Acres Lake View Trail intersection with Airline Trail northeast of Black Spruce Pond in Hampton, CT..jpg
Air Line Trail northeast of Black Spruce Pond in Hampton, CT (Pine Acres Lake View Trail intersection near Goodwin Conservation Center)
Location Connecticut, United States
Area40 acres (16 ha)
Established1969
Governing bodyConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Website Air Line State Park Trail
Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

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Air Line State Park Trail is a rail trail and linear state park located in Connecticut. The trail is divided into sections designated South (a 25-mile trail from East Hampton to Windham), North (a 21-mile trail from Windham to Putnam) a piece of the East Coast Greenway, and the Thompson addition (a 6.6-mile trail from Thompson to the Massachusetts state line). [1] An additional 3.6-mile spur to Colchester is sometimes designated as part of the Air Line trail. At the Massachusetts state line, the trail connects to the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, a 22-mile-long trail to Franklin, MA built on the same right-of-way. Since 2018, the town of Portland, Connecticut has also maintained a 2.3-mile portion of the Air Line trail, connecting to the southern end of the state park at the town line with East Hampton. [2]

Contents

The United States Department of the Interior recognized the southern section of the Air Line State Park Trail as a national recreation trail in 2002. [3]

History

Air Line

Lyman Viaduct, one of two towering iron trestles constructed for the Air Line Lyman viaduct pacific railway 1876.JPG
Lyman Viaduct, one of two towering iron trestles constructed for the Air Line

Envisioned as a high-speed passenger railroad line from New York to Boston, the New Haven, Middletown and Willimantic Railroad (NHM&W) got its name from the towering iron viaducts constructed to create a level track bed suitable for rapid travel. Opened in 1873 as part of the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad (BH&E) system, it ran from New Haven northeast via Middletown to the BH&E at Willimantic. The BH&E went bankrupt that same year, becoming the New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE), but the NHM&W stayed separate, failing in 1875. It was reorganized as the Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad and was operated by the New Haven from 1879, being leased on October 1, 1882. Part of this line (the NY&NE Blackstone division to Franklin via Norwood and Walpole) still survives as the Franklin/Foxboro Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail.

In Connecticut, part of the line from New Haven (Air Line Junction) to Middletown and Portland, Connecticut survives as part of the Providence and Worcester Railroad. In Willimantic, the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum has reconstructed the original roundhouse and restored the turntable pit (with a replacement for the original turntable), as well as some original NY&NE and NH buildings. In between East Hampton, Connecticut and the Massachusetts state line, most of the abandoned rail corridor has been converted as a rail trail known as the Air Line Trail State Park. Notable features of the line are the Rapallo Viaduct and the Lyman Viaduct in East Hampton and Colchester, Connecticut, which are two of the longest rail viaducts in the U.S. [4]

Trail development

The abandoned rail corridor between East Hampton and the Massachusetts state line was acquired by the Connecticut State Park System with the section from Route 66 in Windham to US Route 44 in Pomfret opening to the public in 1969 as a bridle trail. In 1976, the trail designation was extended north to Town Farm Road in Putnam. The southern section from East Hampton to Willimantic was opened as a trail in 1986. The Thompson section was opened in 1992. The bridge over the Willimantic River to Bridge St. was opened in 2015, and an extension south to Portland opened in 2018.

Air Line State Park Trail is divided into three sections:

The North section of the trail from Windham to Putnam is part of the East Coast Greenway, which will stretch from Florida to Maine.

The South and North sections are connected by the Veterans Greenway, a short town-owned rail trail on the northeast side of Willimantic, which is partially incorporated into the North section itself. The connection is not complete, as no trail connection has yet to be made through downtown Willimantic from the bridge to the Veterans Greenway. However, a street connection is available joining the two sections by going onto Bridge Street for 250 feet, then turning right onto Main Street for 0.5 miles then turning left on Jackson St. for 150 feet then turning right on Union St. 50 feet.

Southern extensions

The trail as originally built ended next to a cranberry bog at Smith Street, east of the village center of East Hampton. The right of way remained intact and unused as far as the end of the active track in Portland; some sections were used for unofficial trails with poor trail surface and frequent washouts. [5]

In 1999, a bridge over Muddy Gutter Brook west of downtown East Hampton was designed and built by cadets of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Due to confusion as to which state agency had ownership of the stretch of land, the bridge was built without the necessary permissions; it was almost demolished, but allowed to remain due to a lease agreement with the town. [6] [7] On November 1, 2002, the state DEEP acquired an additional section of railbed in East Hampton from ConnDOT; however, the trail was not actually improved over the section. [8]

In 2011, a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) extension from Smith Street to Watrous Street was completed. A further 0.1-mile (0.16 km) section (including a bridge over the Pocotopaug Creek) was completed in June 2012, bringing the trail to Main Street in downtown East Hampton. During construction, the original railroad bridge was found to have been buried in the embankment next to the right of way, forcing design changes to the trail. [9]

Around that time, East Hampton and Portland began planning to extend the trail to downtown Portland, which would additionally provide a connection to Middletown over the Arrigoni Bridge. [10] In January 2015, East Hampton received a $400,000 grant for Phase I, running 1.7 miles (2.7 km) from Main Street to Aldens Crossing; that section opened in 2017. [11] [12] [13] A second $538,000 state grant, awarded in March 2016, funded the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Phase II from Aldens Crossing to the town line at Depot Hill Road. [14] Work on Phase II began in 2017. [12] As of January 2019, phase II was complete except for a 1,500 feet (460 m) section through protected wetlands, which may require a boardwalk. [15]

In June 2018, Phase I of the town-maintained portion of the trail in Portland, Connecticut opened to the public, [2] extending from the East Hampton town line to the YCMA Camp Ingersoll, a distance of 2.3 miles (3.7 km). Unlike the rest of the trail, the 2.3-mile right-of-way in Portland is owned by Eversource Energy [16]

In December 2015, the town approved an agreement with Eversource to allow the construction of a recreational trail on their property; a formal signing took place on January 20, 2016. [5] On March 2, 2016, town voters approved the $172,000 acquisition of a 22-acre (8.9 ha) former quarry Middle Haddam Road to serve as the trailhead; this served as the 20% local match for potential state funding. An existing quarter-mile access road to the quarry leads north from the trailhead parking area to the rail trail. Later that month, the extension was allocated $686,000 in the same round of grants that funded the East Hampton Phase II. The section was originally expected to open around April 2017; several delays ultimately resulted in an October 2018 opening. [14] [17] [15]

Further phases in Portland are planned but not yet funded. Phase II will reach downtown Portland and the Arrigoni bridge, largely over the original rail route but with some deviations parallel to roads. [16] It may also include a trail parallel to the active P&W tracks in Portland and the purchase of the former train station. [5] Following abandonment by the railroad in the 1960s, the remainder of the original Airline right-of-way in Portland reverted to private ownership by adjacent landowners and would need to be leased or acquired by the town prior to construction of Phase II. Phase III will attempt to create a trail north parallel to the Connecticut River to reach Riverfront Park, the fairgrounds, and ultimately Glastonbury. [5]

South section

Trail description

The Airline Trail South bridge over the Willimantic River Airlinetrailwillimatnicriverbridge.jpg
The Airline Trail South bridge over the Willimantic River
The bridge from the Hop River Trail Willimantic river bridge.jpg
The bridge from the Hop River Trail

This section of the trail has been completed. It has a smooth, hard-packed stone dust surface, benches for resting at more scenic locations, and bike racks. Brand new bridges constructed by cadets from the US Coast Guard Academy carry the trail across the Blackledge, Jeremy Rivers, and Judd Brook. This section crosses the Rapallo and Lyman Viaducts, massive fills that carried the railroad and now trail across wide valleys. There is a short (less than 1⁄4 mile (400 m)) on-road detour necessary where the Route 2 expressway blocks the railroad bed.

Willimantic River to Bridge St. (CT 32)

This section has a wooden plank crossing over the Willimantic River, using the old bridge as support, then shortly after that it becomes pavement and intersects with the end of the Hop River Trail and has an info sign describing the history of both of the trails. Then it takes a S-turn next to the Eastern Connecticut Railroad History Museum. Then the trail follows the driveway of the building leading up to the trailhead, just 900 ft. away from Bridge St. This section can be very loud at times due to being less than 100 ft. away from the Providence and Worcester Railroad, an active freight railroad with a stop in Willimantic.

Access points

The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:

CountyTownStreetCoordinates
Middlesex Portland Middle Haddam RoadTrail terminus, parking area 41°33′57″N72°35′01″W / 41.5658°N 72.5837°W / 41.5658; -72.5837
Breezy Corners Road 41°33′59″N72°34′45″W / 41.5663°N 72.5791°W / 41.5663; -72.5791
Middle Haddam Roadoverpass 41°33′52″N72°34′40″W / 41.5645°N 72.5779°W / 41.5645; -72.5779
Old Middletown Road 41°33′53″N72°33′49″W / 41.5647°N 72.5635°W / 41.5647; -72.5635
East Hampton Depot Hill Roadparking area 41°33′57″N72°33′27″W / 41.5657°N 72.5574°W / 41.5657; -72.5574
Connecticut Highway 66.svg Route 66, West High Street 41°33′55″N72°32′20″W / 41.5654°N 72.5390°W / 41.5654; -72.5390
Aldens Crossing 41°33′52″N72°31′46″W / 41.5644°N 72.5294°W / 41.5644; -72.5294
Forest Street 41°34′14″N72°30′24″W / 41.5705°N 72.5068°W / 41.5705; -72.5068
Connecticut Highway 196.svg Route 196, Main Streetmunicipal parking area, railroad bridge 41°34′30″N72°30′08″W / 41.5750°N 72.5022°W / 41.5750; -72.5022
Watrous Street 41°34′32″N72°30′01″W / 41.5755°N 72.5004°W / 41.5755; -72.5004
Smith Streetparking area 41°34′42″N72°29′33″W / 41.5782°N 72.4924°W / 41.5782; -72.4924
New London Colchester Bull Hill Roadparking area 41°33′56″N72°26′35″W / 41.5655°N 72.4430°W / 41.5655; -72.4430
River Roadparking area; railroad bridge 41°34′50″N72°25′30″W / 41.5805°N 72.4249°W / 41.5805; -72.4249
River Road 41°34′59″N72°24′29″W / 41.5830°N 72.4080°W / 41.5830; -72.4080
Connecticut Highway 149.svg Route 149 parking area 41°35′06″N72°24′00″W / 41.5850°N 72.4000°W / 41.5850; -72.4000
Tolland Hebron On road: under Connecticut Highway 2.svg Route 2 via Connecticut Highway 149.svg Route 149
Old Hartford Roadparking area 41°35′30″N72°23′29″W / 41.5918°N 72.3914°W / 41.5918; -72.3914
Jeremy River river crossing 41°35′54″N72°22′37″W / 41.5983°N 72.3769°W / 41.5983; -72.3769
Grayville Roadparking area 41°36′53″N72°21′59″W / 41.6147°N 72.3664°W / 41.6147; -72.3664
Old Colchester Roadparking area 41°37′13″N72°21′35″W / 41.6204°N 72.3598°W / 41.6204; -72.3598
Connecticut Highway 85.svg Route 85 parking area 41°37′56″N72°20′37″W / 41.6322°N 72.3437°W / 41.6322; -72.3437
North Pond Road 41°38′01″N72°20′35″W / 41.6336°N 72.3430°W / 41.6336; -72.3430
Connecticut Highway 207.svg Route 207 parking area 41°38′23″N72°20′22″W / 41.6397°N 72.3395°W / 41.6397; -72.3395
New London Lebanon Leonard Bridge Roadparking area 41°39′09″N72°18′12″W / 41.6525°N 72.3032°W / 41.6525; -72.3032
Chesbro Bridge Roadparking area 41°39′46″N72°17′25″W / 41.6629°N 72.2902°W / 41.6629; -72.2902
Tolland Columbia Connecticut Highway 87.svg Route 87 41°40′27″N72°16′05″W / 41.6742°N 72.2681°W / 41.6742; -72.2681
New London Lebanon Cook Hill Roadparking area 41°41′07″N72°15′54″W / 41.6852°N 72.2651°W / 41.6852; -72.2651
Village Hill Roadparking area 41°41′50″N72°15′04″W / 41.6973°N 72.2511°W / 41.6973; -72.2511
Kingsley Roadparking area 41°42′31″N72°14′30″W / 41.7085°N 72.2418°W / 41.7085; -72.2418
County LineTown Line Willimantic River river crossing 41°42′48″N72°14′16″W / 41.7134°N 72.2379°W / 41.7134; -72.2379
Windham Windham Paved Section begins 41°42′50″N72°14′15″W / 41.7138°N 72.2375°W / 41.7138; -72.2375
Hop River State Park Trail leads to Bolton and

Hartford area

Bridge Street ( Connecticut Highway 32.svg CT 32)Opened in 2015, parking area [18] 41°42′44″N72°13′23″W / 41.7122°N 72.2230°W / 41.7122; -72.2230

North section

Trail description

Though open to the public for its entire length, different segments of the trail are in different stages of development. Some sections are complete and have a finished, stone-dust surface and signage. Other sections have been cleared and had drainage work done, but still have a somewhat rough, unfinished surface that is not suitable for road bikes. Other parts are totally undeveloped and overgrown.

There are no major obstructions of the North section of the trail in the form of missing or unsafe bridges. Though some parts of the trail may be undeveloped, this area does not have the many river crossings of the southern section.

The trail continues west of Route 66 as the Veterans Greenway, a town-owned bike route that leads to downtown Willimantic.

Route 66, Windham to South Brook Road, Hampton

This section has seen many upgrades in recent years. The section's first 1⁄4 mile (400 m) was paved as part of the US 6/Route 66 interchange reconstruction project. The state and the towns of Windham and Chaplin cleared, graded, installed signage, and put down a smooth stone-dust surface on this section of the trail. This included the construction of a trail bridge over Boulevard Road.

Abutment of the former Parker Road overpass, which collapsed onto the trail in May 2016 Old Parker Rd. Bridge Base.jpg
Abutment of the former Parker Road overpass, which collapsed onto the trail in May 2016

South Brook Road, Hampton to Lewis Road, Hampton

This section was cleared and graded by the National Guard in the mid-1990s. The surface was not finished and is still rough in sections and there are drainage issues in areas that sometimes flood the trail. There has not been much maintenance done on the trail in the last few years, so even the areas that were cleared have become somewhat grown in. Still, the trail is passable for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. The town of Hampton and the DEEP have plans to add signage and finish the surface of the trail with stone dust. This work has not yet been started. An abandoned overpass that formerly carried Parker Road over the line collapsed in May 2016; the trail section was briefly closed during cleanup.

Lewis Road, Hampton to Wrights Crossing Road, Pomfret

This section is under construction by the DEEP, DOT, and town of Pomfret[ when? ]. The stretch from Lewis Road to Covell Road is currently being worked on to improve drainage and finish the surface. The trail is completed between Covell Road and Route 169, with a smooth stone-dust surface. The section from Route 169 to Wrights Crossing Road is essentially complete, with some drainage improvements planned.

Wrights Crossing Road, Pomfret to Kennedy Drive, Putnam

This section of the trail is completely undeveloped. It has not been cleared and is overgrown, with a rough surface, tree falls, and several wet areas with drainage problems. It is necessary to climb embankments to cross some roads where former bridges have been filled in. It is not really passable and must be done on foot if attempted. The DEEP and the towns of Pomfret and Putnam have plans to clear and improve this section as part of the next phase of trail improvements. Currently, a DOT state-hired contractor is improving this section, with a budget of $5.5 million. Two pedestrian bridges are proposed: a 100-foot span over Routes 169 and 44 at the old train depot and another on Needles Eye Road near the Audubon Center. Three box culverts on Holmes Road, Modock Road, and River Road are also proposed. Estimated completion is Fall 2020.

Access points

The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:

CountyTownStreetCoordinates
Windham Windham Union StreetTerminus 41°42′40″N72°12′31″W / 41.7112°N 72.2087°W / 41.7112; -72.2087
Milk Streetparking area 41°42′45″N72°12′23″W / 41.7124°N 72.2064°W / 41.7124; -72.2064
Valley Street 41°42′45″N72°12′22″W / 41.7125°N 72.2062°W / 41.7125; -72.2062
Connecticut Highway 195.svg Route 195 41°43′08″N72°11′58″W / 41.7190°N 72.1994°W / 41.7190; -72.1994
Natchaug River river crossing 41°43′17″N72°11′49″W / 41.7213°N 72.1970°W / 41.7213; -72.1970
Private Drive 41°43′49″N72°11′10″W / 41.7303°N 72.1861°W / 41.7303; -72.1861
Connecticut Highway 66.svg Route 66 41°43′56″N72°11′05″W / 41.7322°N 72.1848°W / 41.7322; -72.1848
Next to road: Tuckie RoadNo junction
End of the Veterans' Memorial Greenway (improved section begins) 41°44′06″N72°10′46″W / 41.7349°N 72.1795°W / 41.7349; -72.1795
Connecticut Highway 203.svg Route 203 41°44′46″N72°09′22″W / 41.7462°N 72.1560°W / 41.7462; -72.1560
Boulevard Road 41°44′56″N72°09′07″W / 41.7488°N 72.1520°W / 41.7488; -72.1520
Chaplin Chewink Roadparking area 41°45′05″N72°07′15″W / 41.7515°N 72.1208°W / 41.7515; -72.1208
Hampton South Brook StreetShared Intersection 41°45′56″N72°05′39″W / 41.7656°N 72.0942°W / 41.7656; -72.0942
Parker Road
US 6 (1961).svg US Route 6 Overpass - no connection 41°46′09″N72°05′26″W / 41.7692°N 72.0905°W / 41.7692; -72.0905
Potter Roadparking:

Goodwin Conservation Center

 41°46′40″N72°05′12″W / 41.7777°N 72.0866°W / 41.7777; -72.0866
Estabrooks Road 41°47′55″N72°05′27″W / 41.7987°N 72.0908°W / 41.7987; -72.0908
Station Road 41°48′27″N72°04′12″W / 41.8074°N 72.0701°W / 41.8074; -72.0701
Griffin Road 41°49′11″N72°03′58″W / 41.8196°N 72.0661°W / 41.8196; -72.0661
Little River river crossing 41°49′20″N72°03′26″W / 41.8223°N 72.0571°W / 41.8223; -72.0571
Kenyon Roadparking area 41°49′21″N72°03′23″W / 41.8225°N 72.0563°W / 41.8225; -72.0563
Lewis Road 41°49′37″N72°02′29″W / 41.8270°N 72.0414°W / 41.8270; -72.0414
Pomfret Connecticut Highway 97.svg Route 97 41°50′01″N72°01′09″W / 41.8336°N 72.0192°W / 41.8336; -72.0192
Brooklyn Road 41°50′03″N72°00′45″W / 41.8343°N 72.0126°W / 41.8343; -72.0126
US 44 (1961).svg US Route 44 underpass/no access 41°51′33″N71°59′59″W / 41.8593°N 71.9998°W / 41.8593; -71.9998
Covell Road 41°51′46″N71°59′31″W / 41.8628°N 71.9919°W / 41.8628; -71.9919
Babbitt Hill Road 41°51′51″N71°59′00″W / 41.8641°N 71.9832°W / 41.8641; -71.9832
Connecticut Highway 169.svg Route 169 /

US 44 (1926).svg US Route 44

Parking area. Trail bridge over road. 41°52′04″N71°57′40″W / 41.8678°N 71.9611°W / 41.8678; -71.9611
Needles Eye RoadTrail bridge over road 41°52′29″N71°56′59″W / 41.8746°N 71.9496°W / 41.8746; -71.9496
Wright's Crossing Road 41°52′39″N71°56′31″W / 41.8776°N 71.9420°W / 41.8776; -71.9420
Unimproved Section begins
Holmes RoadUnderpass 41°52′56″N71°56′04″W / 41.8823°N 71.9344°W / 41.8823; -71.9344
Putnam Modock RoadUnderpass 41°53′09″N71°55′19″W / 41.8857°N 71.9219°W / 41.8857; -71.9219
River RoadUnderpass 41°53′22″N71°54′51″W / 41.8895°N 71.9141°W / 41.8895; -71.9141
Town Farm Road 41°53′37″N71°54′37″W / 41.8936°N 71.9104°W / 41.8936; -71.9104
Private Road 41°54′28″N71°54′29″W / 41.9078°N 71.9080°W / 41.9078; -71.9080
Quinebaug River river crossing 41°54′28″N71°54′29″W / 41.9079°N 71.9080°W / 41.9079; -71.9080
Kennedy DriveTerminus 41°54′30″N71°54′29″W / 41.9084°N 71.9080°W / 41.9084; -71.9080

Thompson section

Trail description

Major work has been completed to upgrade this section of the trail. The rails and ties have been removed, and the surface of the trail for much of its length consists of hard-packed dirt and gravel. However, as of 2021, the trail is largely unimproved between Lowell Davis Road and Sand Dam Road. New parking areas with signage and information kiosks have been constructed where the trail crosses East Thompson Road, Sand Dam Road, Lowell Davis Road, and at the southern terminus at Route 12. In 2019 the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) made a master plan to re-establish the economic significance and value of the Air Line Trail. [19] As of 2023, the work that is still planned includes improvements to the Route 193 crossing. The trail continues north and east into Massachusetts through the town of Douglas as the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, part of the Massachusetts State Park System.

Access points

The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:

CountyTownStreetCoordinates
Windham Thompson Connecticut Highway 193.svg Route 193, Thompson RoadTerminus (south of Thompson center) 41°56′51″N71°53′06″W / 41.9475°N 71.8851°W / 41.9475; -71.8851
I-395 (CT).svg Exit 49 rampsOverpass above ramps - no connection 41°57′17″N71°52′51″W / 41.9547°N 71.8809°W / 41.9547; -71.8809
Plum Road 41°57′51″N71°52′35″W / 41.9643°N 71.8764°W / 41.9643; -71.8764
Connecticut Highway 200.svg Route 200, Thompson Hill RoadUnderpass - no connection 41°58′01″N71°52′26″W / 41.9669°N 71.8740°W / 41.9669; -71.8740
Sunset Hill Road 41°58′35″N71°51′57″W / 41.9764°N 71.8658°W / 41.9764; -71.8658
Lowell Davis Road 41°59′05″N71°51′24″W / 41.9846°N 71.8566°W / 41.9846; -71.8566
I-395 (CT).svg Interstate 395 Underpass - no connection 41°59′14″N71°51′11″W / 41.9873°N 71.8531°W / 41.9873; -71.8531
Connecticut Highway 193.svg Route 193, Thompson RoadUnderpass - no connection (north of Thompson center) 41°59′34″N71°50′38″W / 41.9929°N 71.8438°W / 41.9929; -71.8438
Sand Dam Road 42°00′16″N71°49′12″W / 42.0045°N 71.8201°W / 42.0045; -71.8201
East Thompson Road 42°00′32″N71°48′33″W / 42.0089°N 71.8091°W / 42.0089; -71.8091
Massachusetts borderConnection with Southern New England Trunkline Trail 42°00′45″N71°47′58″W / 42.0124°N 71.7995°W / 42.0124; -71.7995

Colchester Spur

Trail description

The 3.6-mile (5.8 km) spur to Colchester consists of the same hard-packed gravel as the rest of the South section. The Route 85 crossing is at a marked crosswalk, while the two other crossings are unmarked over minor local roads. The trail terminates just east of downtown Colchester at the former depot and freight house. [20]

Access points

The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:

CountyTownStreetCoordinates
Tolland Hebron Connecticut Highway 85.svg Route 85 41°37′11″N72°20′39″W / 41.6196°N 72.3441°W / 41.6196; -72.3441
Crouch Road 41°36′50″N72°20′34″W / 41.6139°N 72.3428°W / 41.6139; -72.3428
New London Colchester Old Amston Road 41°35′41″N72°20′01″W / 41.5947°N 72.3335°W / 41.5947; -72.3335
Connecticut Highway 16.svg Route 16 Terminus 41°34′46″N72°19′38″W / 41.5795°N 72.3273°W / 41.5795; -72.3273

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail trail</span> Railroad bed converted to a recreational trail

A rail trail is a shared-use path on railway right of way. Rail trails are typically constructed after a railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed but may also share the right of way with active railways, light rail, or streetcars, or with disused track. As shared-use paths, rail trails are primarily for non-motorized traffic including pedestrians, bicycles, horseback riders, skaters, and cross-country skiers, although snowmobiles and ATVs may be allowed. The characteristics of abandoned railways—gentle grades, well-engineered rights of way and structures, and passage through historical areas—lend themselves to rail trails and account for their popularity. Many rail trails are long-distance trails, while some shorter rail trails are known as greenways or linear parks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York and New England Railroad</span> Defunct railroad in southern New England

The New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE) was a railroad connecting southern New York State with Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and Boston, Massachusetts. It operated under that name from 1873 to 1893. Prior to 1873 it was known as the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad, which had been formed from several smaller railroads that dated back to 1846. After a bankruptcy in 1893, the NY&NE was reorganized and briefly operated as the New England Railroad before being leased to the competing New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1898.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass Central Rail Trail</span> Partially completed rail trail from Northampton, Massachusetts to Boston

The Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) is a partially completed rail trail between Northampton, Massachusetts and Boston along the former right-of-way (ROW) of the Massachusetts Central Railroad. It currently has 59 miles (95 km) open, and 94.5 miles (152.1 km) are open or protected for trail development. When complete, it will be 104 miles (167 km) long through Central Massachusetts and Greater Boston, forming the longest rail trail in New England. Many sections of the trail, including the Norwottuck Branch of the Mass Central Rail Trail and the Somerville Community Path, have been developed as separate projects but serve as part of the complete Mass Central Rail Trail. The Norwottuck Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the build and operation of the MCRT, maintains an interactive map of the MCRT and other Massachusetts trails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midtown Greenway</span> Shared-use path in Minneapolis, USA

The Midtown Greenway is a 5.7-mile (9.2 km) rail trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota that follows the path of an abandoned route of the Milwaukee Road railway. It is considered under segregated cycle facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Route 66</span> State highway in east-central Connecticut, US

Route 66 is an east-west state highway running from Meriden to Windham, serving as an alternate east–west route to US 6 through east-central Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 6 in Connecticut</span> Segment of American highway

U.S. Route 6 (US 6) within the state of Connecticut runs for 116.33 miles (187.21 km) from the New York state line near Danbury to the Rhode Island state line in Killingly. West of Hartford, the route either closely parallels or runs along Interstate 84 (I-84), which has largely supplanted US 6 as a through route in western Connecticut. East of Hartford, US 6 serves as a primary route for travel between Hartford and Providence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern New England Trunkline Trail</span>

The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) is a rail trail in Massachusetts. The trail passes through the towns of Douglas, Uxbridge, Millville, Blackstone, Bellingham, and Franklin and is one of the longest trails in southern Massachusetts. It is designated for use by pedestrians, equestrians and non-motorized vehicles, with motorized off-road vehicles excluded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hop River State Park Trail</span> Recreation rail trail in Connecticut, United States

Hop River State Park Trail is a Connecticut rail trail that winds for 20.8 miles (33.5 km) eastward from Colonial Drive in the town of Manchester to the Air Line State Park Trail S. in the town of Windham. The trail parallels the Hop River for much of its length. It is owned and operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, with upgrades and maintenance done by town forces and community volunteer groups in coordination with the state. The trail is used for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moosup Valley State Park Trail</span>

The Moosup Valley State Park Trail is a rail trail located on the railbed of a former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad line in the New England towns of Plainfield and Sterling in Windham County, Connecticut. The line ran from 1898 until 1968. The rail line was abandoned in the late 1960s, and was designated by the state as a multi-use trail in 1987. The trail is owned and operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallkill Valley Rail Trail</span> Rail trail in New York, United States

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 23.7-mile (38.1 km) rail trail and linear park that runs along the former Wallkill Valley Railroad rail corridor in Ulster County, New York, United States. It stretches from Gardiner through New Paltz, Rosendale and Ulster to the Kingston city line, just south of a demolished, concrete Conrail railroad bridge that was located on a team-track siding several blocks south of the also-demolished Kingston New York Central Railroad passenger station. The trail is separated from the Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail by two state prisons in Shawangunk, though there have been plans to bypass these facilities and to connect the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail with other regional rail-trails. The northern section of the trail forms part of the Empire State Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Route 203</span> State highway in Windham County, Connecticut, US

Route 203 is a state highway in eastern Connecticut, running entirely within the town of Windham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmington Canal Heritage Trail</span> Rail trail in Connecticut, US

The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, also known as the New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway, is an 82-mile (132 km) multi-use rail trail located in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapallo Viaduct</span> United States historic place

The Rapallo Viaduct is a buried railroad trestle in East Hampton, Connecticut which carries the Air Line Trail across Flat Brook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad</span> Defunct railroad in Connecticut

The Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad was a railroad in Connecticut. Envisioned as a direct route between New Haven and Boston, it was hampered by difficult terrain in eastern Connecticut and did not find much success. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad leased the company in 1882. The tracks between Portland, Connecticut and Willimantic, Connecticut were abandoned in 1965, while the remainder of the line is operated by the Providence and Worcester Railroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southbridge and Blackstone Railroad</span>

The Southbridge and Blackstone Railroad was a railroad company that was the precursor to the Willimantic, Connecticut–Blackstone, Massachusetts line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (NYNH&H). It was chartered in 1849 to build a line from Southbridge, Massachusetts, to Blackstone. In 1853, with construction underway, it was merged into the Boston and New York Central Railroad (B&NYC). The B&NYC used the charter of the East Thompson Railroad, another of its constituent lines, to alter the routing: west of East Thompson, Connecticut, the merged line continued southwest to Mechanicsville, Connecticut, where it met the Norwich and Worcester Railroad. The Mechanicsville–Blackstone line opened in 1854.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southbridge Branch (New England)</span> Railway line in Connecticut and Massachusetts

The Southbridge Branch was a railway line in Connecticut and Massachusetts, United States. It ran 16.9 miles (27.2 km) between Southbridge, Massachusetts and East Thompson, Connecticut, via Webster, Massachusetts. Originally planned to be part of the Southbridge and Blackstone Railroad, it was ultimately built in 1866–67 by the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad. It became part of the New York and New England Railroad in 1875, and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1898. Passenger service ended in 1930, and the eastern portion of the line was abandoned in 1937. The western half continued to be used for freight service; it passed to Penn Central in 1969, and to the Providence and Worcester Railroad (P&W) in 1976 as the Southbridge Running Track. The P&W stopped serving the line in the 1980s, but did not abandon it until 2004. Much of the western half of the line in Massachusetts has been converted to the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail.

References

  1. ↑ "Air Line State Park Trail". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Portland's 2.3-mile portion of Air Line Trail to open Sunday". The Middletown Press. June 1, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ "New Recreation Trails Designated in 16 States". The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH). Associated Press. June 11, 2002. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  4. ↑ Dale Karr, Ronald (1989). Lost Railroads of New England . Branch Line Press. ISBN   0-942147-04-9.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Portland Air Line Trail Update: March 2016" (PDF). Air Line Trail Steering Committee, Town of Portland. March 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  6. ↑ Byron, Ken (May 13, 1999). "Plan Expected to Save Trail Bridge". Hartford Courant. p. B1. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Muddy Gutter Bridge Is Spared". Hartford Courant. May 19, 1999. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024.
  8. ↑ "2013 Connecticut Rail Transportation Ownership and Service" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Transportation. August 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  9. ↑ Anusewicz, Joshua (June 29, 2012). "East Hampton Trail Extension Opens This Weekend" (PDF). Rivereast News Bulletin.
  10. ↑ Marteka, Peter (February 7, 2016). "Portland, Windham Filling Gaps Along The Air Line Trail". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Ziobron Applauds Grant Awarded To Air Line Trail State Park, $400,000.00 in Funds to be used for a Western Extension" (Press release). Connecticut House Republican Office. January 28, 2015. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Marteka, Peter (April 25, 2015). "A Soggy Journey Along The Old Air Line Railroad". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  13. ↑ Marteka, Peter (March 19, 2017). "Charter Oak Greenway, Air Line Projects Nearing Completion". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Regan, Elizabeth (April 1, 2016). "State Awards $1.3 Million for Air Line Trail in Portland" (PDF). Rivereast News Bulletin.
  15. 1 2 Mill, Jeff (January 7, 2019). "Portland's connection to 26-mile Airline Trail beginning to take shape". Middletown Press.
  16. 1 2 Shafer, John; Rhodes, Deanna; Haramut, Robert. "Bringing the Air Line Trail to Portland (And Middletown)" (PDF). Town of Portland. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  17. ↑ Hogan, Kevin (March 24, 2017). "Bike trail to open between Portland and East Hampton" . Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  18. ↑ Courant, Hartford (February 7, 2016). "Portland, Windham Filling Gaps Along The Air Line Trail" . Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Air Line State Park Trail Region MASTER PLAN" (PDF). ctrcd.org. ALSPT. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Colchester Spur Trail". Bike It or Hike It. April 2008. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
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