Connecticut River Valley Commuter Rail Project
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Transcript of Connecticut River Valley Commuter Rail Project
Connecticut River Valley Connecticut River Valley Commuter Rail ProjectCommuter Rail ProjectEric Nielsen
Plan OverviewPlan OverviewEstablish a commuter
rail line along the New England Central Railroad (NECR)
Stops in Claremont Junction, Windsor, VT, and White River Junction (Hartford, VT)
Connections to downtown Claremont, Lebanon and Hanover
GoalsGoalsCreate an alternative transportation option for
the Connecticut River Valley Improve Integration of transportation and land
useSpur development of affordable housing at the
station sitesDevelop on and improve existing infrastructureCreate a bi-state plan approachHave free flow of information among
communities and stakeholdersReduce the number of single-occupant
automobile
NH Rail System
•459 miles of active railroad•State owns 500 miles of railroad
Region Tourism SystemRegion Tourism System
Natural resources- Lake Sunapee, Mt. Sunapee, Dartmouth Skiiway, Connecticut River Scenic Byway
Historic Attractions- Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish Colony, Fort at No. 4, Living History Museum
Dartmouth College, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Common Man Inn
A Look at the Connecticut A Look at the Connecticut River ValleyRiver ValleyJob Centers- Lebanon, Hanover and Claremont2002 boom in economic growth in the Upper
Valley◦ More jobs, minimal housing◦ Vacation units converted into year-round
occupancy3 bedroom home
◦ $2300/month + utilities4 bedroom home
◦ $3000/month + utilitiesAverage weekly wage $649Increasing population unable to drive due to
poverty, age or disability
What Americans WantWhat Americans WantOctober 2004, Smart Growth America and
the National Association of Realtors ◦ Survey on American’s preferences for the type of
communities they want to live in and the policies they support for creating those communities.
Concluded 3 Main Points•Americans favor Smart Growth Communities: shorter commute times and walkable communities•Commute time to work holds a dominate place in Americans’ decisions about where to live•Americans want government and business to invest in existing communities before developing new communities
Case Study: San Mateo Transit Case Study: San Mateo Transit Oriented Development (TOD)Oriented Development (TOD)
Incentive program to construct housing near railroad stations
Transportation funds to stimulate needed housing construction
More transportation options for residents to travel by rail
WHY A WHY A COMMUTER RAIL?COMMUTER RAIL?•High-quality, rapid transit within metro regions•More reasonable cost when compared to heavy and light rail lines•Diesel-electric or electric propelled•Operates over existing railway trackage on the same rights-of-way•Generally self-funding from passenger fairs
Pros and ConsPros and Cons
Pros Cons Economic stimulation/Employment
Options Increased residential property
values Better access to all parts of the
state Increased tourism Stress free travel Reduced vehicle pollutants Reduced traffic congestion Offer rail passes with incentives for
travelers Train travel is fun and a way to
meet local residents Less expensive than renting a car Lay the ground work for a statewide
public transportation system
High initial cost Scheduled departing times Making connections Less convenient than the
automobile
Financial PlanFinancial PlanFederal Government
◦80% of initial costs through available grants
◦American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Private Business◦Initiatives to encourage businesses to
help raise funds◦Development rights at rail stations
San Mateo TOD◦Transportation Funds
Implementation MethodsImplementation Methods Form a Bi-state Committee
◦ Connect Stakeholders: NH Railroad Revitalization Association (NHRRA), NECR, Amtrak, Local Businesses, Federal Railroad Association (FRA), Community Residents
Current Infrastructure Assessment Market Analysis
◦ Current trends◦ Target markets◦ Traffic flows◦ Competition◦ S.W.O.T. analysis◦ Focus Groups◦ Visitor surveys
Public Involvement◦ Public meetings◦ Community Survey◦ Project Website
Planning for the FuturePlanning for the FutureFrom this…
Planning for the FuturePlanning for the FutureTo This!