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Red Mountain Trail project advances but faces Eversource easement question; city engineering to seek revised terms
Summary
The commission received an update: Planning and Zoning approvals are in place, but the proposed alignment through utility property requires assurances from Eversource. City engineers are exploring a straightforward reroute that would keep the project moving without returning to wetlands review.
The Red Mountain Trail project has cleared several municipal approvals but is stalled by unresolved easement terms with Eversource, the Torrington Conservation Commission heard Aug. 19.
Assistant city planner Nate Nardi Cyrus said Planning and Zoning approvals and related permits are largely in place, but an easement owned or controlled by Eversource affects a critical segment near the Ocean State Plaza property and a proposed multiuse connection on McDermott Street. Cyrus said the city engineer and project team are discussing a possible minor redesign that would route the trail along an existing flat rail bed and connect to North Elm — a change that likely would require only a simple Planning and Zoning modification and not a full wetlands review.
Why it matters: the project aims to create a continuous multiuse trail linking neighborhoods to retail and recreation areas. Cyrus said the design team remains hopeful the issue can be resolved without abandoning the project; however, if Eversource cannot grant the necessary terms, the city will pursue the alternative alignment. Commission members noted the redesigned alignment could alter informal neighborhood access to the plaza and asked staff to minimize permanent barriers that would sever long‑used walking connections.
Cyrus also summarized planned pedestrian and bike connections for the project’s southern approach: a parking area, modified signalized crossing at North Elm, and an on‑street or sidewalk link to Prospect Street. He said the city is continuing to work with Ocean State Plaza and state traffic engineers on crosswalks and signal phasing to make the trail usable and safe once built.
Staff said construction is not expected until the next building season and that the city will continue to pursue required permissions while preserving the project’s overall route where possible.
