| Air Line State Park Trail | |
|---|---|
 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 |
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Governing body | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Air Line State Park Trail |
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]
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]
YouTube Encyclopedic
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Air Line State Park Trail - Highlights Along the Way
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Air Line State Park Trail - Introduction
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Air Line State Park Trail: Pomfret
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Air Line State Park Trail: Colchester
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Air Line State Park Trail: Putnam
Transcription
SINGING: Used to be a train track. Now it's the Air Line Trail. . . NARRATOR Welcome to the Airline State Park Trail. The Airline Trail is a 50-mile rail-trail in eastern Connecticut, with numerous access points for non-motorized recreation, and is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Trail currently starts in East Hampton Village, once known as "Belltown," because of the presence of more than 30 Bell manufacturing companies, making it the bell capital of the country. You can start or end your trail visit in the Village with a nice cup of coffee, pizza, or ice cream, visit the farmer's market, browse antique shops and boutiques, or take in nearby cultural and historic sites. Follow the trail east across the handicapped accessible bridge towards the next major access at Cranberry Bog. The Cranberry Bog is one of the most popular access points, and this section of the trail is heavily used. Look for picturesque ponds with picnic tables, woodland benches to rest on, dramatic rock cuts, side trails like this one maintained by the Middlesex Land Trust, and the Rapallo Viaduct. An interpretive sign provides historic and factual information about the viaduct. SALLY RICHLOVSKY I use the trail three to four times a week with the rest of my friends here. We start at Cranberry Bog and we stop at the Viaduct where the benches are so than we can take a bit of a short sit and then we turn around there and walk back. BESSY MOREN It's a great environment, it's a great trail, its nice and flat, you know, and the crushed stone is perfect for strollers and its good walking or jogging. NARRATOR From East Hampton, the trail continues into Colchester. Soon after crossing into town, visitors come upon one of the most significant features on the trail--the Lyman Viaduct. Built in 1873, it was originally constructed of wrought iron and measured more than 1100 feet across and 137 feet high. In 1913, the valley was filled and the entire trestle was covered, resulting in the structure that we see today. Both the Lyman and Rapallo Viaducts are on the National Register of Historic Places. Close to where the trail crosses Bull Hill Road, there are a number of attractions within a short bike- or car-ride. Visitors can step off the trail to enjoy great views of this Stone Arch Bridge from below on River Road. The bridge is on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places. The trail passes over the Blackledge River on this bridge, using the original stone abutments and metal supports built for the railroad. Just after the trail crosses River Road, visitors can stop to enjoy the views at Norton Pond. CLAIRE MATTHEWS I live in Essex and I come out to the Air Line Trail as much as I can any season of the year. I like being here because its so beautiful and its so easy. It's really fabulous! KATY KLARNET One of the fun things about discovering a new place like this is that I now want to go back and tell other people and bring people with me. DIANERY DELANEY It is one of the most beautiful places close to my home. All the trail for me is beautiful because I am able to jog, to walk and enjoy the beauty. JOEL BERNSTEIN It a great surface for walking or biking. You get beautiful views, you can see wildlife, its all here! NARRATOR From Colchester, the trail enters into Hebron where visitors cross the Jeremy River on this bridge. Nearby, the Jeremy and Blackledge Rivers join together to form the headwaters of the Salmon River. Soon after, visitors cross Judd Brook on this bridge. Just off the trail, visitors can pause to enjoy the waterfall in Grayville Falls Town Park, dip their toes or fish in the river, or picnic in the park. Just past Old Colchester Road, the Trail passes through the extensive Raymond Brook Marsh, a State-wide Wetland of Special Concern that offers expansive views and opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife. Just after the marsh, The Airline trail in Hebron connects with the Colchester Spur that formerly brought people and freight into downtown Colchester. Follow the spur to the end where historic Twin Rail Road Depots are still in use by local businesses, and look much the same as they did when the Railroad was in operation. Drop by some of the many shops and restaurants in downtown Colchester, or grab a burger and shake at the iconic Harry's Place roadside stand on Route 16. Back in Hebron, the trail continues across Route 85 towards Lebanon. MONICA LINDSAY Today is our first day on the Air Line Trail. We come from Gales Ferry, Connecticut. Everywhere we have gone there's babbling brooks and meadows and it's just gorgeous. ED MCDOUGALL We're just really soaking up the sun and the beautiful sights and we found it on the DEEP website. With trail maps it was easy to find, the trails are gravel, they're smooth and it makes for a nice day out on the bikes. NARRATOR Shortly after the trail crosses Route 207, a pond with surrounding wetlands offers opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing. The pond serves as the town line between Hebron and Lebanon. Visitors interested in expanding on their trail experience might enjoy a visit to Lebanon's mile long Town Green with its wealth of historic sites. The green is 7 miles from the Route 207 Trail Crossing and about 3 miles from the Route 87 Trail Crossing. East of Route 87, the trail crosses over a small stream offering a scenic view and additional wildlife viewing opportunities. This farm where the Trail crosses Cook Hill Road is one of the more scenic spots on the trail. Past the farm, the wetland just off the trail to the right is a magnet for birds and serves as a Heron Rookery, with the nests resembling Trufalla Trees from Dr. Suess's classic tale of The Lorax. The Trail continues across Kingsley Road, but ends at the Willimantic River, where the former railroad bridge is currently un-passable and awaiting restoration. Visitors can rejoin the trail using an on-road route through downtown Willimantic. JOACHIM SCHUSCHKE My wife and I come to the Air Line Trail, lately daily since I retired. I like that its relatively flat and we can do something like, I don't want to call it a power walk, but its not like you have to step over ten thousand things. LYNDA WOOD I am newly retired so I'm finally getting out to enjoy this trail every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It's great! And we just love it because we don't have to worry about vehicles and at the same time we get to have great fellowship and catch up with each other. It's just so peaceful and serene so we go home and we feel great we did our thing of the day. NARRATOR From Lebanon, the Trail continues over the on-road detour into Windham. Just before crossing the Railroad Tracks approaching Route 66, visitors may wish to stop at the Railroad Museum and hitch a ride on the last continually operating section of the Air Line Railroad. ROLF JOHNSON This is a restoration of the Columbia Junction facility was built in 1898 and was rebuilt in 2000. If you're using the Air Line Trail, come in and visit us! We're open from 10 to 4, Saturdays and Sundays and we'd love to have you come in and visit a while. NARRATOR Take advantage of the wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, historic, and cultural opportunities that Willimantic has to offer. MARK PAQUETTE We're exactly opposite the famous Frog Bridge. The frogs were a symbol of Willimantic based on in the early to mid 1700s there was a commotion in Windham and the residents thought they were under attack but it turned out it was a pond that had dried up with hundreds and hundreds of bull frogs making a lot of noise. These spools on the bridge represent the American Thread Company that began here making thread for industries all over the world. NARRATOR Across from the Frog Bridge, reconnect with the Airline Trail by hopping on the Veterans Greenway. Then cross Route 66 where the Airline Trail begins again along Tuckie Road. Near the entrance to this section of the Airline Trail the marsh offers wildlife viewing opportunities, including nesting Great Blue Herons. Also look for evidence of beaver activity here. Atlantic White Cedar Swamps, like this one protected by the Joshua's Trust, are a critical habitat type in Connecticut. Near where the trail crosses Beaver Hill road close to the junction with Route 6, visitors can take a walk or bike ride over Mansfield Hollow Dam for great views of the lake. After Windham, the trail passes through the quiet little town of Chaplin. Shortly after crossing into Chaplin, this loop allows visitors to explore Land Trust property next to the Trail. These rock cuts are evidence of some of the extensive blasting needed to create a level grade for the Air Line Railroad. PETER GLASHEEN I like being out in the country, the woods, lookin' at the old bridges, the old tunnels along the different trails, it's just nice being out here. NARRATOR From Chaplin, the trail continues into Hampton. Just after the junction of Parker and South Brook roads, this abandoned bridge still stands as a relic of the Railroad era. At Potter Road, visitors can spend time at the Goodwin State Forest, a 2,000-acre property with 3 ponds, 14 miles of trails, native wildlife gardens, educational signs, and nature programs. The Natchaug Trail part of the state's Blue Trail system, crosses the Airline Trail near the James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, offering visitors opportunities to explore smaller, more rugged footpaths. This section of the trail features a variety of beautiful wetlands. After the Estabrook Road crossing, stonewalls below the trail seem mysteriously to disappear in to this wetland. The rising waters reflect the presence of some busy beavers. Soon after, the trail passes through the middle of an extensive pond and wetland where even novices will have good luck with bird watching and may even spot a beaver. It is interesting to note the diversity in wetland types present along the trail, like this one just past Griffin Road. Less than a tenth of a mile along Kenyon Road is the entrance to Hampton Reservoir, offering opportunities for fishing, non-motorized boating and wildlife viewing. Audubon's Trail Wood Sanctuary, the former home of writer-naturalist Edwin Way Teale, is nearby. From the town of Hampton, the trail crosses into Pomfret. Soon after Brooklyn Road is this stunning wet meadow. White Pines almost form a tunnel over the trail. East of Covell Road, a climb down a steep hill rewards visitors with unique views of this stone culvert built to carry the railroad over Mashmoquet Brook. Near the intersection of Routes 44 and 169, Pomfret Station serves as a start or end point for your trail experience or simply as a rest stop. East of the Needles Eye Road Junction is Audubon's 700-acre Bafflin Sanctuary and Grassland Bird Conservation Center. It is an Important Bird Area because of the rare grass and shrub habitats. The Center regularly offers nature education programs, and has over ten miles of trails with educational signs. More than 200 different bird species have been spotted here. The improved section of the Airline Trail currently ends at Wrights Crossing Road. To continue into Putnam, follow one of the on-road detours. The Wyndham Land Trust property just off Holmes Road offers panoramic views of classic New England Farmland. While in Pomfret, end your trip with ice cream, check out Sharpe Hill Vineyard, or visit the nearby Mashamoquet Brook State Park for camping, hiking, and swimming opportunities. From Pomfret, follow the on-road detour into Putnam using either the scenic or downtown routes. The 1955 floods washed out the railroad tracks and bridges near the Quinebaug River ultimately leading to the demise of the Airline Railroad. From Putnam's River Walk, visitors can check out the pedestrian bridge over the river on the remains of the Railroad Bridge where interpretive signs show the extent of the damage from the floods. While in Putnam, take in the view of the Quinebaug Falls from the bridge at the Junction of Route 44 and Kennedy Drive and take a stroll along the River Walk. Children and the young at heart may enjoy a visit to the Box Car Children Museum near the Train Station. The museum, housed in an old boxcar, sits just across from the former home of Putnam resident, first grade teacher and children's author Gertrude Chandler Warner who created the Box Car Children series of books. The original story in the series is considered one of the top 100 books for children. Part of the old Train station downtown now houses a restaurant and brew pub. And there are many other restaurants and shops downtown. BILL REID This is a place to really come if you're looking at a way to explore north-eastern Connecticut, explore the Air Line Trail, Putnam can really be your base of operations NARRATOR From Putnam, follow the on-road detour into Thompson where visitors can pick up the trail again at this parking area on Route 12. Once back on the trail, take in the expansive views of this wetland east of the Lovell/Davis Road crossing and marvel at how it changes through the seasons. East of the East Thompson Road crossing, the remains of this bridge still stand. By far the most interesting feature on the Airline Trail in Thompson is this side trail to the tri-state marker where the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island come together. A 15-minute hike over rugged, rocky terrain rewards visitors with the opportunity to literally be in three states at once. Before or after your trail visit there are lots of other things to do nearby. BERNIE MILLETTE We're from Massachusetts and we like the section we're on that borders Massachusetts and Thompson. PATRICIA MILLETTE I like it because it's nice and wide and its flat and there's no cars around so... FRAN MORANO My big concern is that all this work has gone into this and it would really be great if we could harness some of the local citizens to help maintain it and keep it up to snuff. I would love to help toward any effort to maintain it. NARRATOR All year round there is always something new to see and do, so let the Airline Trail take you places. -- --
History
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:
- South section (from Middle Haddam Road in Portland to Bridge Street in Windham, with a connection to Columbia Avenue)
- North section (from Milk Street in Windham to Kennedy Drive in Putnam)
- Thompson section (from Route 12 (Riverside Drive) in Thompson to the MA state line)
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 under the supervision of William O'Neill, an adjunct professor of engineering at the academy and former state governor. 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] 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.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] 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.[10][11][12] 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.[13] Work on Phase II began in 2017.[11] As of January 2019[update], phase II was complete except for a 1,500 feet (460 m) section through protected wetlands, which may require a boardwalk.[14]
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[15]
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.[13][16][14]
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.[15] 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
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:
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.
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:
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.[18] 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:
| County | Town | Street | Coordinates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windham | Thompson |  Route 193, Thompson Road
|
Terminus (south of Thompson center) | 41°56′51″N 71°53′06″W / 41.9475°N 71.8851°W |
 Exit 49 ramps
|
Overpass above ramps - no connection | 41°57′17″N 71°52′51″W / 41.9547°N 71.8809°W | ||
| Plum Road | 41°57′51″N 71°52′35″W / 41.9643°N 71.8764°W | |||
 Route 200, Thompson Hill Road
|
Underpass - no connection | 41°58′01″N 71°52′26″W / 41.9669°N 71.8740°W | ||
| Sunset Hill Road | 41°58′35″N 71°51′57″W / 41.9764°N 71.8658°W | |||
| Lowell Davis Road | 41°59′05″N 71°51′24″W / 41.9846°N 71.8566°W | |||
| Interstate 395
|
Underpass - no connection | 41°59′14″N 71°51′11″W / 41.9873°N 71.8531°W | ||
| Route 193, Thompson Road
|
Underpass - no connection (north of Thompson center) | 41°59′34″N 71°50′38″W / 41.9929°N 71.8438°W | ||
| Sand Dam Road | 42°00′16″N 71°49′12″W / 42.0045°N 71.8201°W | |||
| East Thompson Road | 42°00′32″N 71°48′33″W / 42.0089°N 71.8091°W | |||
| Massachusetts border | Connection with Southern New England Trunkline Trail | 42°00′45″N 71°47′58″W / 42.0124°N 71.7995°W | ||
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.[19]
Access points
The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:
| County | Town | Street | Coordinates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolland | Hebron |  Route 85
|
41°37′11″N 72°20′39″W / 41.6196°N 72.3441°W | |
| Crouch Road | 41°36′50″N 72°20′34″W / 41.6139°N 72.3428°W | |||
| New London | Colchester | Old Amston Road | 41°35′41″N 72°20′01″W / 41.5947°N 72.3335°W | |
 Route 16
|
Terminus | 41°34′46″N 72°19′38″W / 41.5795°N 72.3273°W |
References
- ^ "Air Line State Park Trail". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
- ^ a b "Portland's 2.3-mile portion of Air Line Trail to open Sunday". The Middletown Press. June 1, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Dale Karr, Ronald (1989). Lost Railroads of New England. Branch Line Press. ISBN 0-942147-04-9.
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ Byron, Ken (May 13, 1999). "Plan Expected to Save Trail Bridge". Hartford Courant. p. B1.
- ^ "2013 Connecticut Rail Transportation Ownership and Service" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Transportation. August 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Anusewicz, Joshua (June 29, 2012). "East Hampton Trail Extension Opens This Weekend" (PDF). Rivereast News Bulletin.
- ^ Marteka, Peter (February 7, 2016). "Portland, Windham Filling Gaps Along The Air Line Trail". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Marteka, Peter (April 25, 2015). "A Soggy Journey Along The Old Air Line Railroad". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Marteka, Peter (March 19, 2017). "Charter Oak Greenway, Air Line Projects Nearing Completion". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Regan, Elizabeth (April 1, 2016). "State Awards $1.3 Million for Air Line Trail in Portland" (PDF). Rivereast News Bulletin.
- ^ a b Mill, Jeff (January 7, 2019). "Portland's connection to 26-mile Airline Trail beginning to take shape". Middletown Press.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Hogan, Kevin (March 24, 2017). "Bike trail to open between Portland and East Hampton". Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ^ Courant, Hartford. "Portland, Windham Filling Gaps Along The Air Line Trail". Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ^ "Air Line State Park Trail Region MASTER PLAN" (PDF). ctrcd.org. ALSPT. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ "Colchester Spur Trail". Bike It or Hike It. April 2008. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
External links
- Air Line State Park Trail Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- The Air Line Trail: Guide & Map for the Towns of East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron and Lebanon East Hampton Parks & Recreation
- Airline Rail Trail RailsToTrails.us: Bike Trails Created from Abandoned Railroad Lines
- Air Line Rail Trail history and photo resource
This page was last edited on 28 January 2024, at 02:23