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RiverCog adopts Central Connecticut Loop Trail study and approves resolution to advance design and funding
Summary
After a public comment period, RiverCog voted to adopt a draft plan for an 11.5-mile Central Connecticut Loop Trail segment connecting Portland and Middletown, with a total estimated cost of roughly $23 million and a high-cost boardwalk/bridge segment estimated at $5M–$7.7M.
RiverCog members voted on Feb. 26, 2025, to adopt the Central Connecticut Loop Trail (Airline Trail to Farmington Canal connector) study and approved a resolution authorizing staff to advance the plan. Phil Goff, project manager, presented the preferred alignment for an 11.5-mile core segment between the Meriden town line and the current Airline Trail terminus and described public outreach, evaluation criteria and a phasing plan.
Goff told the council the study’s total estimate is about $23,000,000 — roughly $2,000,000 per mile — and identified a single priciest element, a boardwalk and bridge connecting across wetlands and the river, with a segment estimate for that part in the $5,000,000 to $7,700,000 range. "The total was 23,000,000, so that puts it at about 2,000,000 a mile," Goff said. He described preferred alignment elements in Middletown including widened multiuse path segments near the high school and connections across the Aragoni Bridge into Portland.
Rob and Sam noted existing local commitments that could serve as match for future federal grant applications: Middletown has roughly $460,000 available for an initial phase, and RiverCog secured $2,000,000 in bonding to serve as a non‑federal match for USDOT grant opportunities. Rob said the region will consider a multi-town USDOT application that might include Meriden, Middletown and Portland.
After questions about permitting for wetland crossings, cost breakdowns and phasing, a motion to approve the resolution in the meeting packet passed, and members indicated the resolution would be signed by staff. The resolution language and the plan will be used to seek funding and to guide the next steps of design and permitting.
