Potential Shore Line East expansion calls for new stations across the region
Sep. 7—Despite looming service cuts for Shore Line East this fall and fewer trains running due to construction, a newly released study says there is demand for expanding the commuter rail service in the future.
But questions remain over how the improvements that would cost as much as $1 billion would be funded, along with permitting and planning, if they were to move forward.
The study says expanding commuter rail service ― which the state currently operates between New Haven to New London ― to Westerly, R.I., and to Norwich would allow people to better access jobs and recreation. It adds that while the expansion could be possible to implement in the long term, it would require more planning, permitting and costly infrastructure upgrades.
Preliminary cost estimates show the capital costs for the Shore Line East extension to Westerly, R.I., could be $243 million, while the extension to Norwich could cost $635.7 million, though costs could fluctuate by more than 30%.
While the state has not decided whether to move forward, the potential expansion would call for proposed new train stations in Groton, an alternative to the existing station in Mystic, and Stonington Borough along the Northeast Corridor.
Three new stations heading north would be located at Connecticut College/U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, near the Mohegan Sun in Montville and in Norwich.
Though any sites would require further study, the state has identified potential locations for the proposed stations: 840 Poquonnock Road in Groton, where a car wash is located; a parcel at 16-20 Stonington Road in Mystic that contains vacant land and a closed antique shop, a half-mile southeast of the existing Mystic station; the Stonington Community Center thrift shop at 45 Cutler St. in Stonington Borough; a site off of Farnsworth Street in New London; 236 Fort Shantok Road in Montville; and North Thames Street, between West Main Street and West Side Boulevard, in Norwich.
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Riding the rails
Norwich
A new study identifies potential new rail stations that could help satisfy the region's growing appetite for public transit
Mohegan Sun
Conn College/ Coast Guard
Academy
Westerly
Mystic
Groton
New London
Stonington Borough
Existing stations
Potential stations
5 mi
Map: Scott Ritter/The Day — Source: Eastern Connecticut Corridor Rail and Transit Feasibility Study
Riding
the rails
New rail stations could help satisfy the region's growing appetite for public transit
Norwich
Mohegan Sun
Conn College/ Coast Guard
Academy
Mystic
Groton
New London
Stonington Borough
Existing stations
Potential stations
Map: Scott Ritter/The Day — Source: Eastern Connecticut Corridor Rail and Transit Feasibility Study
Even as the state contemplates the future of rail and transit, service reductions for the Shore Line East commuter rail are expected this fall due to cuts in funding.
Appetite for increased rail and transit
The final draft of the Eastern Connecticut Corridor Rail and Transit Feasibility Study found "an appetite for increased rail and transit service," particularly "increased frequency and expanded hours of service to regional destinations." It also points out that the region is adding manufacturing and defense industry jobs, and that the population is growing and aging, which will mean a need for increased and more accessible bus service.
The state legislature had tasked the state Department of Transportation with studying the feasibility of expanding commuter rail from New London to Norwich and to Westerly as well as constructing a train station in Groton and in Stonington Borough and improving links between existing transportation systems.
The DOT specifically studied expanding Shore Line East from New London to Westerly along the Northeast Corridor; adding passenger rail service between New London and Norwich on Genesee and Wyoming's western Palmer Line or eastern Norwich Branch; and adding service on a rail spur in Groton off the Northeast Corridor.
The DOT found that adding commuter rail from New London to Westerly, and to Norwich along the Palmer Line would serve the most people and jobs. It wouldn't be possible to both extend SLE to Westerly and add service on the Norwich Branch and Groton spur, due to limitations on the number of trains that can run each hour on the Thames River Bridge.
The expansion of Shore Line East between New London and Westerly and the addition of commuter rail between New London and Norwich "could be possible given further analysis," but could face "significant challenges," the report stated.
"The infrastructure improvements needed to run hourly commuter rail service along these lines include upgrades to track, structures, grade crossings, and the construction of new stations/reconstruction of existing stations to be compatible with operating equipment and meet ADA requirements," which could cost $1 billion, the report states.
Still, the study said expanded rail service would mean better access to jobs, businesses and recreation ― leading to an anticipated 286,000 more rail trips each year if service was added in 2035.
The DOT says expanding bus service, including increasing the frequency of buses between Norwich and New London, adding a new seasonal route to Mystic, and a connection between the submarine base and Electric Boat, and expanding service hours, could help "address travel demand within the region independent of passenger rail service."
The study is billed as a "first step," with any future improvements needing funding, permitting and more planning.
Current changes
At the same time the study is being released, the existing Shore Line East service is expected to be curtailed this fall, due to budget cuts to the service. The study said "service reductions are anticipated in fall 2023 and they could impact the current frequency of service to this area."
The state cited at the time of the decision last spring that ridership on the commuter rail service had fallen to 30% of its levels before the COVID-19 pandemic, though state legislators advocating for rail said cutting service would only accelerate this trend, while adding more trains would encourage ridership.
In addition, temporary schedule changes went into effect Tuesday due to an Amtrak project to improve the tracks.
A group of state legislators who represents the shoreline issued a news release to request that Amtrak offer other options to commuters, as weekday trains between New Haven and New London will be cut from 22 to 14 daily trains, and weekend trains between New Haven and New London will be cut from 16 to 14 daily trains, with more trains stopping in Madison.
"I'm calling on Amtrak — at a bare minimum — to restore peak service and complete this work during off-peak hours or provide a dedicated bus service during on-peak hours," state Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Guilford, said in a statement.
State Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Lyme, said in a statement that: "These changes were not only a surprise to Shore Line East riders, but this disruption has caused distress to commuters, students, and others who rely on this service for their livelihoods."
Norwich, New London and Groton could benefit most
The feasibility report outlines that transit and rail improvements could cut carbon dioxide emissions and spur jobs in the region, which has fewer professional jobs and lower pay than Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford and Hartford, communities with better transit.
The study found the region's more densely populated communities of Norwich, New London and Groton, which have disadvantaged areas and which, along with Montville, are considered "distressed municipalities," could benefit the most from enhanced transportation and transit-oriented development.
The study details proposals and cost estimates for expanding bus service run by Southeast Area Transit District and the rail expansions.
Public input sought
Study Manager Elise Greenberg said in a statement that public comments are "essential to this preliminary study."
"The Connecticut Public Transportation Council continues to believe that the expansion of rail is a critical component of making our state the best it can be in the area of transportation, the environment, tourism and economic development," Jim Gildea, the chairman of the independent advisory group that advocates for all forms of public transportation in the state, said by phone Wednesday.
Gildea said transportation in the region, which is home to employers such as Pfizer and Electric Boat with their increasing workforce, is a critical component of connecting employers to employees. He said the study shows that expansion is feasible, realistic and possible and "we just need to find a way to secure the funding necessary to make it work."
People who wish to comment on the study can send the comments to DOTplanning@ct.gov or (860) 594-2855 by Oct. 20.
The DOT will hold the following public meetings on the feasibility study:
—6 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Thrive 55+ Active Living Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton. A meeting recording will be posted later on the DOT's YouTube channel.
—1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich, and streamed live on YouTube.
—6 p.m. Sep. 20 via Zoom and livestreamed. People can register at https://portal.ct.gov/eastern-ct-rail.
The DOT also said there will be public hearings this fall on the schedule after the Amtrak construction projects.
