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!